Bid guide
How to bid on the ARPA-H SBIR/STTR Program with the National Institutes of Health
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), part of the National Institutes of Health, is seeking proposals from U.S. small businesses for innovative health-related research. This is under their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
ARPA-H is looking for research and development expertise to address its mission needs and the objectives of these programs. The goal is to stimulate technological innovation, strengthen small business involvement in federal R&D, encourage participation from disadvantaged and women-owned businesses, and increase commercialization of federal R&D innovations. Open topics include fertility testing, bioadhesives, toxin removal using synthetic biology, and non-surgical endometriosis treatment.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The overall solicitation was published on September 11, 2026. The general deadline for this Request for Information (RFI) is October 01, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. However, specific Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines vary by topic. The Stage 1 Solution Summaries deadline was extended to July 17, 2026. Stage 2 submission deadlines for Topics 01, 02, 03, 04, 06, and 07 have been revised multiple times, with the latest revision occurring on September 11, 2026. Stage 2 for Topic 05 was published on September 1, 2026.
Vendors who submitted Stage 1 proposals for Topics 01, 02, 03, 04, 06, and 07 should have received encourage/discourage letters around August 17, 2026. For Topic 05, these letters were distributed around September 1, 2026. It is important to check the cover page of the "SBIR_STTR_BAA_FY26" attachment for the precise Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines for each topic.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for U.S. small businesses with research and development expertise in health-related fields. Specifically, firms working on innovative solutions for fertility diagnostics, advanced bioadhesives, synthetic biology for toxin removal, or non-surgical treatments for endometriosis would find this relevant. The program aims to foster participation from socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and women-owned businesses.
A small business concern is defined as an organization for profit, located in the U.S., with no more than 500 employees including affiliates. It must be more than 50% directly owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, or by other U.S.-owned businesses, or by a combination. Alternatively, it can be more than 50% owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms, with no single entity owning more than 50%.
How to respond
To access the full details of this opportunity, click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all associated documents, though this is not always required for every bid.
Review the attachment "SBIR_STTR_BAA_FY26" for applicable Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines for each open topic. Also, consult Attachment H "ARPA-H_SBP_Government_Answered_Questions" for responses to submitted questions. Ensure you have the latest version of Attachment B Cost Proposal Spreadsheet Template, as it has been updated multiple times.
Practical tips for a competitive response
Carefully read all amendments to the solicitation. There have been five amendments, which have revised deadlines, sections, and attachments. Missing these updates could lead to an non-compliant submission. Pay close attention to the specific Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines for each topic you are interested in, as these vary.
When preparing your proposal, clearly articulate how your innovative research contributes to ARPA-H's mission needs and the specific objectives of the SBIR/STTR programs. Highlight how your proposed solution addresses the stated problem within the chosen topic, such as developing an annual fertility test or versatile bioadhesives. Ensure your cost proposal uses the latest version of Attachment B and is thoroughly detailed and justified.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from National Institutes of Health; the original posting controls.