The Preclinical Stage and Clinical Stage will be open to entrants at more advanced stages of combination product development. In order to compete in the Preclinical Stage or Clinical Stage, prospective entrants will be required to submit declarations of intent as described in the respective overview sections of the about page. The Preclinical Stage and Clinical Stage timelines are subject to change, and will be updated prior to the launch of those stages.

Concept Stage: Development plans

Concept Stage launched

March 28, 2024
Prize information and submission requirements announced.

Virtual information session

April 18, 2024
Webinar held covering prize details and a Q&A with the BARDA team.

Concept Stage submissions opened

August 1, 2024
Eligible entrants could submit development plans from 9 a.m. ET.

Concept Stage submissions closed

October 3, 2024
Eligible entrants must submit development plans before 4:59 p.m. ET.
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Concept Stage evaluation

October-November 2024
Concept Stage judging panel will evaluated submissions.

Concept Stage winner announcement

January 2025
Up to four Concept Stage winners will receive a share of the $8 million Concept Stage prize pool.

Specific dates and details will be published prior to the Preclinical Stage launch.

Preclinical Stage: Investigational New Drug (IND) application enabling studies

Preclinical Stage launch and declaration of intent period opens

Early 2025
Preclinical Stage begins and prospective entrants can submit declarations of intent.

Preclinical Stage submissions open

Early 2025
Prospective entrants accepted to the Preclinical Stage can submit technical papers.

Preclinical Stage submission deadline

Late 2026
Eligible entrants must submit technical papers before the deadline, to be announced.

Preclinical Stage winner announcements

Late 2026
Up to three Preclinical Stage winners are expected to have received a share of the $21 million Preclinical Stage prize pool.

Specific dates and details will be published prior to the Clinical Stage launch.

Clinical Stage: Phase I clinical trials

Clinical Stage launch

Mid 2025
Clinical Stage begins.

Clinical Stage declarations of intent open

Mid 2025
Prospective entrants can submit declarations of intent.

Clinical Stage submissions open

Mid 2025
The prize platform will open for eligible entrants to submit development plans.

Clinical Stage evaluation periods begin

Mid 2026
Clinical Stage judging panel will begin to evaluate submissions. Multiple evaluation periods will be opened and closed during the Clinical Stage.

Clinical Stage submission deadline

Early 2028
Eligible entrants must submit technical papers before the deadline, to be announced.

Clinical Stage evaluation periods end

Mid 2028
Clinical Stage judging panel will conclude the final evaluation period.

Clinical Stage winner announcements

Late 2028
Up to two Clinical Stage winners are expected to have received a share of the $21 million Clinical Stage prize pool.

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