BRAVE Funding Program

The VA Technology Transfer BRAVE Funding Program is an intramural funding mechanism through which eligible VA inventors can receive up to $100,000 to support innovation and development of VA owned, or jointly owned, intellectual property assets to better position their technology for commercialization and impact – Bringing Research Advancements for Veterans to Everyone!

Generally, project proposals fall into one of the following categories:

• Minimum Viable Prototype production
• Prototype testing 
• Clinical grade prototype production 
• Chemical synthesis and testing 
• in vitro proof of concept testing 
• ex vivo proof of concept testing 
• in vivo animal model testing 
• Pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic testing 
• Clinical pilot study 
• Equipment and/or reagents to develop a prototype or to support one of the above categories
• Other (review Biomedical Technology Readiness Guidelines to identify commercially relevant aims)

Eligible inventions are available on the VA Technology Transfer Portal. Budget proposals must be commensurate with need and utilized by end of FY24 (prototyping services may be available through the VA Technology Transfer Assistance Program at no cost: vehiCLE/ATP, MADE, HERL). Applicants must email a Letter of Intent (LOI) to their local Technology Transfer Specialist (TTS) to be considered for application. A link to the full application will be emailed to those invited to apply.

View the FY25 BRAVE Funding Program Announcement for Complete Details and Application Instructions

Key Dates* 

RFA Preview Teams Meeting Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 2pm Eastern 

RFA Release/Posted Date: April 8, 2024

LOI Q&A Thursday April 18 @2pm Eastern

LOI Submission Deadline: May 7, 2024 11:59pm Local Time

Invitation to Apply: June 8, 2024

Invitee Application Q&A: June 13, 2024 @2pm Eastern

Application Deadline: July 8, 2024 @11:59pm local time 

Just in Time Letter Date: September 1, 2024

Start Dates: October 1, 2024, or contingent upon available funding 

End Date: September 30, 2025 (all funds must be used/encumbered by this date – this is a short-term commercialization award)

FY25 Full BRAVE Application Questions Released

Contact the BRAVE Funding Inbox for more information: BRAVEFundingTTP_inbox@va.gov