MCM4Kids

Pediatric Medical Countermeasures Summit Prize Competition 2026

Up to $50,000 in non-dilutive prize funding for innovative pediatric health security solutions

AcQumen Medical and CurieDx Join the SPARK Portfolio

The two companies have been awarded non-dilutive funding to advance pediatric-focused medical countermeasures.

SPARK Hub Announces Inaugural Cohort for SPARK Accelerator 2025

The inaugural cohort features nine pioneering companies working across diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, and vaccine technologies to strengthen pediatric health security.

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

SPARK (Special Populations Acceleration Research and Knowledge) for Innovations in Pediatrics, a BARDA Accelerator Network Hub, 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 Health Security

Accelerator Program

The SPARK hub supports pediatric health security innovators, startups, and BARDA portfolio companies with wraparound accelerator services, providing entrepreneurship education and access to scientific, clinical, regulatory, reimbursement, and commercialization expertise and resources.

Non-Dilutive Funding

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 for Innovations in Pediatrics Hub is a consortium led by Children’s National Hospital in partnership with CIMIT 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 non-dilutive funding specifically aimed at supporting the development, testing, and validation of medical countermeasures for children’s health security.

Tailored Mentorship

Receive one-on-one guidance from pediatric health experts and industry leaders, tailored to advance each stage of your pediatric innovation.

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

Pediatric Medical Countermeasures Summit Prize Competition 2026

Up to $50,000 in non-dilutive prize funding for innovative pediatric health security solutions.

Are you developing a breakthrough technology that can help the smallest of patients? The SPARK Hub is looking for innovative ideas to protect pediatric populations from health security threats. Join this prize competition and share your solutions!