ARPA-H | BRAIN REPAIR OF ANY INJURED NEURAL STRUCTURE | BRAINS | HEALTH SCIENCE FUTURES | ARPA-H-SOL-26-148
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
ARPA-H’s Brain Repair of Any Injured Neural Structure (BRAINS) program is seeking breakthrough approaches to regenerate and replace damaged brain tissue in regions outside the neocortex and spinal cord. The goal is to develop technologies that can generate region-specific precursor brain tissue and demonstrate surgical engraftment into damaged brain regions, laying the groundwork for future therapies that restore lost neurological function.
This opportunity is designed for ambitious teams pursuing transformative—not incremental—approaches to brain repair. ARPA-H specifically seeks technologies that could enable replacement of damaged tissue in brain regions such as the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, striatum, substantia nigra, brainstem, and cerebellum. Proposals focused on the neocortex or spinal cord will not be reviewed.
There are two application cycles. The first application deadline is July 9th, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time for Solution Summaries. The second application deadline is January 7th, 2027, 5:00 PM Eastern Time for Solution Summaries.
How much funding would I receive?
ARPA-H anticipates:
Phase I awards of $500,000 per team per Technical Area (TA)
The possibility of an additional $500,000 per team per TA for Phase II
The solicitation also states that ARPA-H intends to negotiate multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements with selected performers.
The total number of awards is not specified.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended to support projects addressing one or both of the following Technical Areas:
TA1: Defining and generating precursor tissue for any brain region
Characterization of natural precursor tissue
Identification of cellular and extracellular components
Generation of human iPSC-derived precursor cells
Development and validation of precursor tissue generation methods
TA2: Optimizing surgical engraftment of precursor tissue
Development of transplantation methods
Demonstration of graft survival and vascularization
Demonstration of tissue maturation, structure, and connectivity in animal models
Projects must address all milestones and metrics associated with either one Technical Area or both.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
The solicitation states that selected performers may receive:
Funding through an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement structure.
Direct engagement with ARPA-H program leadership through:
Monthly technical status reporting
Monthly meetings with the ARPA-H Program Manager
Potential site visits and technical reviews by ARPA-H personnel throughout performance.
No other additional benefits are specified.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
BRAINS has two intake groups. Applicants must first submit a Solution Summary and, if encouraged by ARPA-H, may then submit a Full Proposal.
Intake Group 1
Solution Summaries Due: July 9th, 2026, 5:00 PM
Full Proposals Due: August 6th, 2026, 5:00 PM
Intake Group 2
Solution Summaries Due: January 7th, 2027, 5:00 PM
Full Proposals Due: February 6th, 2027, 5:00 PM
Program structure:
18-month project duration
Two 9-month phases
Down-select at the end of Phase I based on milestone achievement.
The solicitation does not specify when award decisions will be made or when funding will be received.
Where does this funding come from?
This funding comes from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The federal agency listed in the solicitation is ARPA-H.
Program title:
Brain Repair of Any Injured Neural Structure (BRAINS).
Who is eligible to apply?
The solicitation states that all responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government’s needs may submit a proposal. Eligible organizations include:
Universities
Non-profit organizations
Small businesses
Other than small businesses (large businesses)
ARPA-H states that early career investigators are preferred.
Additional eligibility requirements include:
Active SAM.gov registration.
Work conducted in the United States is prioritized.
Non-U.S. entities may participate subject to applicable restrictions.
Ineligible entities include:
Organizations currently providing contracted support services to ARPA-H where an unmitigable OCI exists.
FFRDCs and Government entities acting as prime or sub-performers, except under limited circumstances described in the solicitation.
Covered foreign entities and other restricted organizations identified in the solicitation.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Based on the stated evaluation criteria, ARPA-H is looking for projects that are:
Innovative, feasible, and technically strong.
Led by teams with demonstrated expertise and relevant experience.
Capable of transforming biomedicine and addressing unmet medical needs.
Positioned for future research, commercial, and/or clinical impact.
Pursuing revolutionary approaches rather than incremental improvements.
The solicitation specifically states that ARPA-H seeks approaches that will generate precursor tissue capable of restoring function in damaged brain regions and demonstrate successful engraftment in preclinical models.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
The solicitation specifically excludes proposals that:
Offer incremental improvements to the current state-of-the-art.
Use human embryos.
Use human fetal tissue.
Do not address the objectives of the BRAINS Exploratory Topic.
Additional restrictions include:
Proposals addressing the neocortex or spinal cord will not be reviewed.
Cell-based and state-of-the-art organoid approaches will not be considered.
Research must comply with applicable HHS stem cell policies and regulations.
HHS funds may not be used for dangerous gain-of-function research.
Various research security, foreign participation, and organizational conflict-of-interest requirements apply.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The application process requires:
Step 1
A mandatory Solution Summary submission limited to three pages (excluding permitted attachments).
Step 2
A Full Proposal if encouraged by ARPA-H. The Full Proposal includes:
Technical and Management Proposal
Cost Proposal
Administrative and Policy Requirements Submission
Supporting schedules, milestones, and compliance documentation.
The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time required to develop an application.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support applicants by:
Assessing fit with BRAINS technical objectives and evaluation criteria.
Developing the Solution Summary.
Building the technical narrative, milestones, and commercialization positioning.
Structuring budgets and proposal volumes.
Coordinating subcontractors and proposal compliance.
Managing submission through the ARPA-H process.
