BioVentures is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the AR Health Ventures Accelerator (ARHVA), a program designed to accelerate promising therapeutic and health-related innovations developed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Applications are open through September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with funding decisions expected in early October 2026.
VIEW ARHVA PROGRAM & APPLICATION DETAILS
DOWNLOAD THE 2026 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Accelerating UAMS Discoveries Toward Commercialization
ARHVA helps bridge the gap between investigator-driven research and commercialization by providing selected projects with hands-on project management, development expertise, budget management, and access to internal and external resources.
Rather than functioning as a traditional investigator-managed research grant, ARHVA works directly with investigators to develop and execute focused project plans designed to address critical development barriers, reduce technical or commercial risk, and position technologies for their next stage of development.
Selected projects may receive up to $50,000 in ARHVA-managed project support for an initial six-month development cycle. Approximately two projects are anticipated to be selected during this funding cycle, subject to available program resources.
Who Should Apply?
AAll UAMS employees, including trainees and postdoctoral fellows, are eligible to apply.
ARHVA considers a broad range of therapeutics and health-related technologies, including:
- Drugs and biologics
- Diagnostics
- Medical devices
- Other technologies or approaches intended to prevent, diagnose, manage, or treat health conditions
Competitive applications should propose a focused and achievable six-month project addressing a specific barrier to advancing the technology.
Potential projects may include work to establish proof-of-concept or feasibility, validate a therapeutic target or technology, generate critical preclinical or technical data, strengthen intellectual property or commercial positioning, support regulatory or development planning, or generate data needed to pursue external funding, licensing, industry partnerships, or company formation.ation.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a proposal that includes:
- Project title and summary
- Investigator or inventor information
- Project description, objectives, anticipated impact, and alignment with ARHVA goals
- Expected outcomes and milestones
- Budget breakdown for up to $50,000 in ARHVA support
- Timeline for project execution
Completed applications must be submitted electronically to Allison Thompson, M.Ed., at athompson9@uams.edu by 5:00 PM on September 30, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by the ARHVA External Advisory Committee based on scientific merit and feasibility, alignment with ARHVA goals, commercialization potential and impact on patient care, and budget justification. Final selections will be made by ARHVA leadership, with funding decisions expected in early October.
Ready to Move Your Innovation Forward?
ARHVA is designed to help UAMS investigators take the next critical step in translating promising discoveries into technologies with real-world potential.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Funding Decisions: Early October 2026
APPLY FOR ARHVA COHORT 3
Submit your application to athompson9@uams.edu
DOWNLOAD THE 2026 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
For questions about the program or application process, contact:
Allison Thompson, M.Ed.
athompson9@uams.edu
