# ARPA-H Seeks Adaptive Clinical Trial Teams

HHS launched the SURPASS program through ARPA-H on October 1, 2026, and its solicitation seeks teams to develop and clinically validate adaptive platform trials over five years. ARPA-H anticipates multiple Other Transaction Agreement awards under solicitation ARPA-H-SOL-26-164. The opportunity is aimed at teams combining clinical research, simulation, AI-enabled operations, drug or biologic sponsors, and clinical-site networks; no award value is stated. ARPA-H also announced STACK, COMMONS, and CINCH to address related clinical-trial operations, data access, site capacity, and patient participation needs.

- The SURPASS informational webinar is scheduled for October 15, 2026, with Proposers’ Day sessions on November 6 and 9. Interested teams can use these sessions to learn about the solicitation and assess potential teaming needs.
- Companies with capabilities in adaptive trial design, simulation, automation, AI, clinical data systems, or site networks may find opportunities as prime applicants or team members. The signals identify no contract value or proposal deadline.
- For program questions, the listed contact is SURPASS@ARPA-H.GOV. Interested firms can also consult the ARPA-H program page and Award Directory for opportunity details.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

### Key Quotes
> HHS is taking on the delays, duplication, and unnecessary costs that slow clinical trials down. Through ARPA-H, we are building a modern clinical trial system that can generate rigorous evidence faster, reduce the burden on patients, and move effective treatments from discovery to the people who need them sooner.
> — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., HHS Secretary

> STACK and COMMONS are designed to tackle those barriers directly so that more patients can connect to trials and more trials can run efficiently in the United States
> — Daria Fedyukina, ARPA-H Program Manager

> CINCH is going to make it easier for patients to contribute their data into trials, so research better reflects patient experiences while motivating continuity of care and providing faster connections to appropriate clinical trials.
> — Erika Kim, Program Manager

### Sources
- [ARPA-H SURPASS solicitation for five-year adaptive clinical platform trial development and validation](https://app.govly.com/opportunities/17185506) - SAM
- [HHS Launches SURPASS and New Efforts to Accelerate Faster, Smarter Clinical Trials | HHS.gov](https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-arpa-h-launch-surpass-modernize-clinical-trials.html) - HHS
- [HHS Unveils SURPASS Program to Modernize Clinical Trials](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/hhs-surpass-arpa-h-clinical-trials-program) - ExecutiveGov