Timeline

The Concept Stage of the Patch Forward Prize was open to all entrants who met the eligibility criteria during 2024.

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 timeline is subject to change.

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 submitted development plans before 4:59 p.m. ET.

Concept Stage evaluation

October-November 2024
Concept Stage judging panel evaluated submissions.
We are here

Concept Stage winner announcement

January 13, 2025
Four Concept Stage winners each received a $2 million Concept Stage award.

The Preclinical Stage will award up to three prizes on a first-to-finish basis. The Preclinical Stage will remain open to submissions from eligible entrants until all three prizes are awarded, or until the end of the Patch Forward Prize, anticipated in 2028.

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

Preclinical Stage launch and declaration of intent open

March 1, 2025
Preclinical Stage begins and prospective entrants can submit declarations of intent. Declarations will be reviewed in the order received during the defined review periods.

Preclinical Stage submissions open

September 1, 2025
Prospective entrants accepted to the Preclinical Stage can submit technical papers. Submissions will be evaluated in the order received during defined periods.

Preclinical Stage evaluation periods begin

November 1, 2025
Judges will evaluate technical papers in the order received during defined evaluation periods.

Preclinical Stage winner announcements

Anticipated by late 2026
Up to three Preclinical Stage winners will receive a $7 million Preclinical Stage prize.

The Clinical Stage will award up to two prizes on a first-to-finish basis. The Clinical Stage will remain open to submissions from eligible entrants until both available prizes are awarded, or until the end of the Patch Forward Prize anticipated in 2028.

Clinical Stage: Phase I clinical trials

Clinical Stage launch and declarations of intent open

March 1, 2025
Clinical Stage begins and prospective entrants can submit declarations of intent. Declarations will be reviewed in the order received during defined review periods

Clinical Stage submissions open

May 1, 2026
Prospective entrants accepted to the Clinical Stage can submit technical papers. Submissions will be evaluated in the order received during defined periods.

Clinical Stage evaluation periods begin

July 1, 2026
Judges will evaluate technical papers in the order received during defined evaluation periods.

Clinical Stage winner announcements

Anticipated by mid 2028
Up to two Clinical Stage winners will receive a $10.5 million Clinical Stage prize.

Just announced: Four Concept Stage teams awarded $2 million each 

Learn more about the winners