Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

Participating in ARPA-H Proposals and Contracts

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to enabling faculty and research teams to successfully pursue Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA‑H) opportunities, which represent a unique and highly competitive class of federal funding.

ARPA‑H differs significantly from traditional research sponsors. Its model emphasizes high-risk, high-reward science, accelerated timelines, and milestone-driven contracts in which continued funding depends on demonstrated progress. These awards involve active program management, evolving technical direction, and the potential for modification or termination based on performance, creating heightened scientific, operational, financial and contractual risk.

To support investigators in this environment, the University has established a coordinated institutional approach led by the Office of Research Development and Strategy (ORDS), which formalizes practices that have led to several successful proposals and funded contracts to CU Anschutz.

The purpose of this integrated process is to ensure that all ARPA‑H activity is:

• Strategically positioned to compete successfully at the national level.
• Proactively supported across the full lifecycle—from concept through execution.
• Structured to mitigate risk to investigators, project teams, and the institution.
• Resourced and prioritized appropriately, recognizing the complexity and visibility of these projects.

Engagement with ORDS is required for all ARPA‑H proposals and awards. This requirement is not intended to introduce administrative burden or barriers. Rather, ORDS functions as a strategic partner and enabling resource that:

• Helps investigators navigate the distinct ARPA‑H model, including proposal development, contracting, milestones, and team structures.
• Provides coordination and infrastructure needed to compete effectively.
• Protects principal investigators and the campus by identifying and managing risk early and continuously.
• Ensures that projects receive focused institutional attention, alignment, and support.

Through these standards, the University reinforces its commitment to empowering bold, transformative research, while ensuring that the appropriate structures are in place to enable success, safeguard investigators, and deliver impactful outcomes. Review and download the full practice standards.


Contact: Erin Calhoun, Assistant Director 

*Represents one of several spokes selected in the network

What is Proposers’ Day?
Proposer’s Days are events hosted by ARPA-H in connection with a specific funding opportunities/program, held either in-person, virtually, or both. The purpose of Proposer’s Day is to allow potential applicants to socialize research ideas with ARPA-H and receive feedback prior to submission. During these events ARPA-H provides detailed information about the funding program, clarifies submission logistics and encourages teaming among Institutions.

Should I attend proposers’ day?
ARPA-H highly encourages those interested in submitting an application to attend Proposer’s Day. In-person meetings have attendance limits, please contact Erin Calhoun if you are interested in attending a Proposer’s Day event. Virtual attendance may be available, but these events do not always allow for 1:1 meetings with ARPA-H program managers.

What is the submission timeline? 
Submission details including due dates for each funding opportunity/program is provided in each funding announcement/BAA.

Do I have to submit an abstract? 
Although not all funding opportunities/programs require an abstract, ARPA-H strongly encourages abstracts prior to full submission (even when not required). Make sure to read each funding announcement/BAA carefully for abstracts requirements.

What is the benefit of submitting a General BAA Abstract before the March 2024 deadline? 
Submitting early has two advantages 1) for those asked to submit a full proposal, it provides more time for proposal development (2) ensures that funds for this opportunities/program are still available. This program accepts submissions on a rolling basis or until funds run out.

How should I contact a program manager? 
Program managers are unable to accommodate individual requests for calls or meetings to discuss questions. The best way to receive feedback is to submit an abstract or attend a Proposer’s Day. For general inquiries, please complete the ARPA-H contact form. 

Please note the ROM below is a sample only. Modify your ROM as appropriate for your proposal.