What’s happening? ARPA-H is launching the Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) Initiative to increase access to government research funding for early career researchers and community health innovators to address health care gaps in the U.S.
Why it matters? Early career researchers and community health innovators, including those from minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations, will now have more opportunities to pursue bold and technically risky R&D projects, but who have been unable to take these leaps using traditional funding opportunities.
How to participate: ARPA-H wants to hear from early-career researchers, community innovators, and academic administrators about their specific needs, challenges, and concerns through our Network Survey for Emerging Health Innovators. Feedback from this survey will inform a forthcoming funding solicitation, anticipated to be available in late 2024.
What’s next? The forthcoming solicitation contemplates two tracks for funding:
- Technology-driven innovation would focus on developing innovative health technologies and would be open to early career researchers within 10 years of earning their final degree.
- Community-center innovation would focus on developing technology that addresses specific community needs and would be open to community innovators, such as community health care workers, medical professionals, social workers, non-profit organizations, and/or faith-based organizations.
What they’re saying:
“ARPA-H was built to drive breakthroughs in health, including finding a cure for cancer and addressing other health care gaps. To succeed, we need the best ideas from every corner of the country, including from those traditionally not given opportunities in research,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
“We are strengthened when our performers include those with fresh perspectives, deep technical expertise, and wide-ranging networks – all key ingredients in solving the toughest challenges in human health. The ARPA-H EHI Initiative is opening new doors to community-based innovations and inclusive solutions to improve health outcomes for all Americans,” said ARPA-H Director Renee Wegrzyn, Ph.D.
To learn more about EHI and how to participate, read more on the ARPA-H News page.