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Jun 16, 20261
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NASA and HHS Launch $2.04 Million Challenge for Medical Supply Resilience Solutions
NASA's CoECI is collaborating with HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response on a three-phase prize competition worth $2.04 million to develop innovative solutions for rapid medical supply production and distribution during public health emergencies. The challenge launched on June 15, 2026, with Phase 1 submissions due August 28, 2026.
Quick Facts
Who
NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI)
What
Prize competition for medical supply resilience solutions
When
Challenge launched June 15, 2026
Where
ASPR headquarters in Washington, DC
- Prize competition for medical supply resilience solutions
- Three-phase challenge with proposal submissions, pitch events, and validation testing
- Development of conceptual systems designs for manufacturing, logistics, and digital coordination
- Live validation event with real-world simulations
- NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI)
NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to launch a major prize competition aimed at strengthening the nation's ability to rapidly produce and distribute critical medical supplies during public health emergencies and supply chain disruptions. The Digital Stockpile & Manufacturing Response Network Challenge, launched on June 15, 2026, seeks innovative solutions that advance resilient medical manufacturing, logistics, and digital coordination capabilities.
The competition unfolds across three phases with escalating prize purses and development opportunities. In Phase 1, participants must submit an 8-page proposal, a 3-minute pitch video, and a blueprint detailing their solution's key capabilities and structure by August 28, 2026. Up to 8 finalists will each receive $5,000 and be invited to a hybrid pitch event at ASPR headquarters in Washington, DC, where up to 3 winners will be selected to advance and receive $150,000 each to enter the development phase.
Phase 2 involves two developmental milestones that monitor solution progress, with participating teams eligible for up to $150,000 in additional prize payments ($75,000 per milestone). In Phase 3, the top performing teams will be invited to a Live Validation Event where they will test their solutions under real-world simulations, competing for a final prize purse of up to $1,100,000. The total prize pool across all phases reaches $2.04 million, reflecting the significance of the challenge.
NASA's Tournament Lab, operated through CoECI, provides the technical infrastructure and management capability to execute the crowdsourced competition on behalf of federal agencies. This challenge represents a comprehensive effort to leverage innovation and diverse problem-solving approaches to enhance national preparedness for medical supply chain resilience in future emergencies.
Why This Matters
This challenge directly addresses a critical gap exposed by recent supply chain disruptions: the ability to rapidly mobilize medical manufacturing and distribution during emergencies. For healthcare providers, policymakers, and businesses, this $2.04 million competition signals federal commitment to building resilience into the nation's medical supply ecosystem. Winning solutions could fundamentally change how the U.S. responds to future pandemics or crises, making this a high-stakes opportunity for innovators seeking to influence national preparedness policy.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 15, 2026
WireDigital Stockpile & Manufacturing Response Network Challenge officially launched
Aug 28, 2026
WirePhase 1 submissions deadline for proposals, pitch videos, and blueprints