HHS Launches $2.04 Million Digital Stockpile & Manufacturing Response Network Challenge
Key Insights
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (search), through ASPR, has launched a prize competition offering up to $2.04 million to strengthen rapid medical supply production and distribution during public health emergencies.
The challenge, facilitated by NASA's CoECI, unfolds in three phases: a conceptual design phase, a development milestone phase, and a final live validation event with real-world simulations.
Up to 8 Phase 1 finalists will receive $5,000 each, with up to 3 winners earning $150,000 each and advancing to development, where additional milestone prizes of up to $150,000 are available.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (search) (HHS), through its Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (search) (ASPR), has announced a new prize competition aimed at fortifying the nation's capacity to rapidly manufacture and distribute critical medical supplies during public health emergencies and supply chain disruptions. The challenge, facilitated by NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) via its NASA Tournament Lab, carries a total prize purse of up to $2.04 million.
The competition seeks forward-thinking solutions that leverage innovative technologies and frameworks to advance resilient medical manufacturing, logistics, and digital coordination capabilities. Participants will develop conceptual systems designs across three distinct phases, each designed to progressively test and refine proposed solutions.
Challenge Structure and Prizes
The competition is structured in three phases. Phase 1 requires participants to submit an 8-page submission paper, a 3-minute pitch video, and a blueprint supporting the key capabilities and structure of their proposed solution. Submissions will be evaluated according to the challenge's judging criteria.
Following the judging period, up to 8 finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize and be invited to a hybrid pitch event at ASPR headquarters in Washington, DC. From this event, up to 3 winners will be selected to receive $150,000 each and advance to the innovation development phase.
Phase 2 involves two developmental milestones that will monitor solution development. Each completed milestone carries an additional $75,000 prize, allowing teams to earn up to $150,000 in total milestone payments during this phase.
Phase 3 culminates in a final Live Validation Event, where up to 3 teams may be invited to test their solutions under applicable real-world simulations. Teams will compete for a total prize purse of up to $1,100,000 in this final stage.
Timeline
The challenge officially launches on June 15, 2026, with Phase 1 submissions due on August 28, 2026. The competition represents a significant federal investment in domestic preparedness infrastructure, reflecting lessons learned from recent public health emergencies that exposed vulnerabilities in medical supply chains.
The initiative underscores HHS's commitment to building a more resilient and digitally coordinated response network capable of meeting the demands of future health crises.