Advancing next-generation capillary blood collection and processing devices for diagnostics at the point of need — home, field, and resource-limited settings.
Ready to compete?
Diagnostics at the Point of Need
The Need — When it comes to diagnostics, we need the ability to collect a sample and run a test at the point of need.
In a public health emergency, access to reliable central testing can be limited – we need innovative methods that allow for biological sample collection, particularly blood, plasma, and serum, at the point of need – whether in the home or in a remote area.
The Opportunity — Now is the time for innovation in sample collection and processing for diagnostics.
We need to enhance our diagnostic capability by developing innovative methods for self-and caregiver collection of biological samples, especially blood, plasma, and serum, that are compatible with a broad range of diagnostic tests and approaches, including antigen and molecular tests (ideally FDA-approved/cleared) for blood-borne PHEMCE threats.
The Vision — Regardless of the infectious disease outbreak, we want to be ready.
As healthcare and clinical trials move towards decentralized settings – the urgent care or doctor’s office, pharmacy, or even one’s home – and as people are taking greater control of their health, it is imperative to provide access to at-home as well as remote testing capabilities for pandemic response, infectious disease containment, and public health readiness. This is particularly true during periods of heightened disease threats, including emerging infectious disease and priority biothreat (e.g., filovirus) outbreaks. The same tools and technologies used at home can also be applied in fully remote settings, which is critical for potential future outbreaks of emerging pathogens such as Ebolavirus.
Our goal is to support innovations in blood sample collection and processing: In this competition we seek a device that can be self-administered, as well as administered by an adult or healthcare worker, and that provides for whole capillary blood collection and handling as well as separation of plasma and/or serum. This device must be functionally compatible with and capable of delivering whole blood and plasma or serum to one or more antigen and/or molecular tests (ideally FDA-approved/cleared) addressing threats in BARDA’s mission space [see PHEMCE Priority Threats List]. Critically, the device must be designed for both pediatric and adult individuals.
The ReadyDetect: Blood Sampling Competition intends to promote industry collaboration and support the advancement of technology candidates toward the completion of a prototype, supported with compelling feasibility data for blood sample collection and handling. By demonstrating high performance in a CLIA-waived setting at a very low cost of goods, this competition will accelerate breakthroughs in sample collection for diagnostics for blood-borne pathogens.
Overview
The ReadyDetect: Blood Sampling Competition aims to foster collaboration between technology developers and provide resources to support the development and first effective demonstrations of high-performance, very low-cost CLIA-waivable sample collection and processing devices (to pair with diagnostic tests) through prototype development and feasibility testing (i.e., demonstrating simple and stable sample collection in a small pilot clinical study).
Specifically, the competition seeks an innovative technological solution for self-collection of whole blood and processing into plasma or serum as well as integration of the resulting sample (whole blood, plasma, and/or serum) into an antigen or molecular diagnostic test (ideally FDA-approved/cleared) designed to detect PHEMCE priority pathogens [see PHEMCE Priority Threats List].
The competition has two stages: The first, Concept Stage, invites applicants to provide a detailed description of their innovation and their plans for the future development and validation of a prototype device. The second or Prototype Stage invites eligible applicants (eligibility determined by Vanguard) to develop and test a device prototype.
Concept Stage
Concept Stage Prize
$100,000
per winner · up to 5 winners
Applications Open: June 15, 2026
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Winners Announced: Fall 2026
- Submit a concept paper (≤10 pages) describing your innovation and development plan
- Include quantitative preliminary data and Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
- Outline a path to develop and validate a functional prototype
- Include a plan to demonstrate functional compatibility with at least one relevant antigen or molecular diagnostic test (preferably FDA-cleared)
- Describe planned approach for blood collection, processing, and sample integrity
- Address regulatory pathway, commercialization strategy, and IP access
Concept Stage Prize
$100,000
per winner · up to 5 winners
Applications Open: June 15, 2026
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Winners Announced: Fall 2026
June 15, 2026
Announcement
Competition Start Announced
July 31, 2026
Submission due July 31, 2026
Submissions due to Vanguard
Fall 2026*
Prizes announced
Winner announced
No more than 5 winners will be announced for a $100,000 prize each.
June 15, 2026
Announcement
Competition Start Announced
July 31, 2026
Submission due July 31, 2026
Submissions due to Vanguard
Fall 2026*
Prizes announced
Winner announced
No more than 5 winners will be announced for a $100,000 prize each.
*Specific dates will be announced when the Stage is launched.
Prototype Stage
Prototype Stage Prize
$1.5M
per winner · up to 3 winners
Letter of Intent Due: February 2027 (TBD)
Completion Report Due: April 30, 2028
Winners Announced: Summer 2028
- Submit a letter of intent and required regulatory documentation (clinical protocol, IRB, consent)
- Develop and test a functional prototype device
- Demonstrate performance in human subjects (N≥75, adult and pediatric)
- Show compatibility with at least one relevant antigen or molecular diagnostic test (preferably FDA-cleared)
- Provide a completion report (≤25 pages) with de-identified experimental data
- Include cost of goods (COGs) analysis at 100,000-unit scale and evidence of prototype use (photo/video)
Prototype Stage Prize
$1.5M
per winner · up to 3 winners
Applications Open: November 2026 (TBD)
Letter of Intent Due: February 2027 (TBD)
Completion Report Due: April 30, 2028
Winners Announced: Summer 2028
February 2027*
Announcement
Entrants will submit a letter of intent to participate as well as supply a clinical protocol and support IRB documentation in November (exact date TBD).
Vanguard will notify entrants of their eligibility to formally join the competition: Fall 2026
April 30, 2028
Submission due April 30, 2028
Rolling submissions with completion reports and project data due to Vanguard
Summer 2028*
Prizes announced
Winner announced
No more than 3 winners will be announced for a $1,500,000 prize each
February 2027*
Announcement
Entrants will submit a letter of intent to participate as well as supply a clinical protocol and support IRB documentation in November (exact date TBD).
Vanguard will notify entrants of their eligibility to formally join the competition: Fall 2026
April 30, 2028
Submission due April 30, 2028
Rolling submissions with completion reports and project data due to Vanguard
Summer 2028*
Prizes announced
Winner announced
No more than 3 winners will be announced for a $1,500,000 prize each
November 2026
Prototype Stage Launched
The application window opens in November 2026.
TBD
Virtual Webinar Option 1
Learn more about the opportunity and have your questions answered.
TBD
Virtual Webinar Option 2
Learn more about the opportunity and have your questions answered.
February 2027
Prototype Stage Letter of Intent & Supporting Documentation Due
Letters of intent, clinical collection protocols, and IRB documentation are due.
Summer 2028
Prototype Stage Winners Announced
Up to 3 winners receive $1,500,000 each.
April 30, 2028
Prototype Stage Completion Reports Due
Completion reports and de-identified data packages are due by April 30, 2028 to be eligible for the prize.
March 2027 - April 2028
Progress Checks on Study Progress
Eligible applicants will submit a brief form every other month about their study progress.
November 2026 - March 2027 (Rolling)
Letters of Eligibility Sent to Applicants
As submitted documents are reviewed, applicants will receive letters of eligibility to formally enter the Prototype Stage. A letter of eligibility is required to be eligible for the prize.
November 2026
Prototype Stage Launched
The application window opens in November 2026.
TBD
Virtual Webinar Option 1
Learn more about the opportunity and have your questions answered.
TBD
Virtual Webinar Option 2
Learn more about the opportunity and have your questions answered.
February 2027
Prototype Stage Letter of Intent & Supporting Documentation Due
Letters of intent, clinical collection protocols, and IRB documentation are due.
November 2026 - March 2027 (Rolling)
Letters of Eligibility Sent to Applicants
As submitted documents are reviewed, applicants will receive letters of eligibility to formally enter the Prototype Stage. A letter of eligibility is required to be eligible for the prize.
March 2027 - April 2028
Progress Checks on Study Progress
Eligible applicants will submit a brief form every other month about their study progress.
April 30, 2028
Prototype Stage Completion Reports Due
Completion reports and de-identified data packages are due by April 30, 2028 to be eligible for the prize.
Summer 2028
Prototype Stage Winners Announced
Up to 3 winners receive $1,500,000 each.
*Specific dates will be announced when the Stage is launched.
Competition Eligibility
Open to commercial, academic, and non-profit entities. Since the competition supports the ultimate goal of commercialization for the winning submissions, academic and non-profit competitors must partner with a commercial entity and provide evidence of such partnership (at minimum, via a letter of intent) to be eligible.
Eligibility for participation
- The Primary Entrant must be a U.S.-based Concern at the time the Notice of Intent is submitted and remain a U.S.-based Concern through the issuance of prize awards.
- “U.S.-based Concern” means: (i) incorporated in the United States (including a U.S.-incorporated subsidiary even if the parent is foreign based), or (ii) unincorporated with its principal place of business in the United States. Principal place of business is defined as the primary location where management directs, controls, or coordinates the entity’s activities.
- Note: Components of the work may be performed by a team consisting of subcontractors, consultants, CROs, or partner organizations, however, the Primary Entrant must retain responsibility for substantively leading the technical effort.
- Participation in the Concept Stage is not required for participation in the Prototype Stage.
- The Primary Entrant must be a U.S.-based Concern at the time the Notice of Intent is submitted and remain a U.S.-based Concern through the issuance of prize awards.
- “U.S.-based Concern” means: (i) incorporated in the United States (including a U.S.-incorporated subsidiary even if the parent is foreign based), or (ii) unincorporated with its principal place of business in the United States. Principal place of business is defined as the primary location where management directs, controls, or coordinates the entity’s activities.
- Note: Components of the work may be performed by a team consisting of subcontractors, consultants, CROs, or partner organizations, however, the Primary Entrant must retain responsibility for substantively leading the technical effort.
- Participation in the Concept Stage is not required for participation in the Prototype Stage.
- Demonstrated or planned access to required intellectual property for all product components (documented pathway required)
- Capability or documented partnership to conduct work in BSL-4 laboratories, as relevant to pathogen scope
- Prototype Stage: ability to recruit N≥75 human subjects with pediatric and adult age distribution, supported by IRB approval
- Planned manufacturing in the United States is strongly preferred
- AI-generated content in submissions must be clearly identified at the sentence level (e.g., via footnotes)