MCM4Kids

SPARK Hub Prize Challenge

The SPARK Hub challenge offers a total of $50,000 in funding, with up to three winners selected.

Children’s National launches a 10-year partnership with BARDA to advance pediatric health security

New federally supported hub to advance solutions for pediatric health emergencies.

The BARDA Accelerator Network Expands with Three New Hubs

The BARDA Accelerator Network (BAN) is launching three additional hubs – Enabling Technologies, Digital Health, and Special Populations, to help accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation health security solutions.

Pediatric Innovation

SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics

The Special Populations Acceleration Research and Knowledge (SPARK), for Innovations in Pediatrics Hub, a BARDA Accelerator Network Hub for Special Populations, supports the development of innovations that address challenges around the development and availability of medical countermeasures for pediatric populations.

Our Services

Our Youngest and Most Vulnerable Deserve High-Quality Care

Wraparound Accelerator Support Services

The SPARK hub supports pediatric health security innovators, startups, and BARDA portfolio companies with accelerator services, providing entrepreneurship education and access to technical, business, and commercialization expertise and resources.

Development, Evaluation, and Validation Services

The SPARK hub provides non-dilutive funding to startups for development, evaluation and validation of novel, pediatrics-focused medical countermeasures that align with BARDA’s strategic priorities and support pediatric health security.

The Partnership Advancing Pediatric Health Solutions

Established by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (BAN), SPARK Hub for Pediatric Innovations is a consortium led by Children’s National Hospital in partnership with CIMIT, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s, and BioHealth Innovation. SPARK Hub seeks to accelerate innovations that can detect, prevent or respond to the medical consequences of a health security threat for children.

Consortium benefits

Participants in SPARK Gain

Early-Stage Capital

Access funding specifically aimed at supporting the development, testing, and validation of innovations for children’s health.

Tailored Mentorship

Access funding specifically aimed at supporting the development, testing, and validation of innovations for children’s health.

Specialized Curriculum

Access specialized resources to navigate the unique challenges of pediatric healthcare, with courses and materials crafted by leading experts in children’s health.

Network Opportunities

Connect with pediatric innovators, healthcare leaders, and SPARK’s network through curated events and programs designed to support pediatric-focused solutions.

Open Opportunities

SPARK Hub Prize Challenge

We invite pediatrics-focused startups and university-backed projects to apply for non-dilutive funding of $50K in total. Up to three winners will be funded to support the innovative solutions aligned with BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

The BARDA Network

SPARK Hub Prize Challenge

Children’s National launches a 10-year partnership with BARDA to advance pediatric health security

The BARDA Accelerator Network Expands with Three New Hubs

SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics