Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge
Overview | Announcements | Competition Schedule
Rapid diagnostic for gonorrhea wins $19 million federal prize competition to combat antibiotic resistance. Visby Medical’s single-use, disposable test will guide appropriate and immediate treatment.
The Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge is a $20 million federal prize competition seeking innovative, rapid point-of-care laboratory diagnostic tests to combat the development and spread of drug resistant bacteria. A rising public health problem, antibiotic resistant bacteria cause at least 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Challenge calls for new, innovative, and novel laboratory diagnostic tests that identify and characterize antibiotic resistant bacteria and/or distinguish between viral and bacterial infections to reduce unnecessary uses of antibiotics, a major cause of antibiotic resistance. With real-time detection, healthcare providers would be able to identify infecting pathogens and resistance factors within hours, rather than days, and use the knowledge to tailor treatment to each individual.
The Challenge is a joint effort between the National Institutes of Health and the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in support of the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are each contributing $10 million to the Challenge. The Challenge also was developed with technical and regulatory expertise from the CDC, Food and Drug Administration, and NIH Office of the Director.
For more information about the challenge or how to apply, please visit the challenge website.
August 5, 2020
Rapid diagnostic for gonorrhea wins $19 million federal prize competition to combat antibiotic resistance
January 29, 2019
Notice to Announce Requirements and Registration for Step 3 of Antimicrobial Resistance Rapid, Point-of-Need Diagnostic Test Challenge
January 9, 2019
Notice of Information: Updates on clarifications of several components of the Challenge competition posted within the Federal Register
December 3, 2018
Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge names five finalists
March 27, 2017
Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge selects 10 semifinalists in first phase of competition
October 3, 2016
Notice of Correction for Announcement of Requirements and Registration for "Antimicrobial Resistance Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test" Challenge (NOT-OD-17-004)
September 8, 2016
Federal prize competition seeks innovative ideas to combat antimicrobial resistance
Announcement of Antimicrobial Resistance Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test Challenge Competition (NOT-OD-16-137)
October 7, 2015
Public Consultation on Antimicrobial Resistance Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test Challenge
September 18, 2014
NIH Director’s Statement on Prize for Diagnostic Devices to Identify Antimicrobial Resistant Bacterial Infections
Step One: Initial Concepts Submitted and Semifinalists Selected
From all submitted concepts, 10 semifinalists were selected, each receiving $50,000 to develop prototypes and analytical data for their diagnostic devices. More information about the concept submissions can be found here.
Deadline for Letter of Intent: December 23, 2016
Deadline for submissions: January 9, 2017
Semifinalists selected: March 27, 2017
Step Two: Finalists Selected
Five finalists were selected to receive $100,000 each to develop and supply their prototypes for testing by two CLIA-certified independent laboratories.
Deadline for Letter of Intent: August 3, 2018
Deadline for submissions: September 4, 2018
Finalist selection: December 3, 2018
Step Three: Winner Selected
One winner was selected to receive the $19 million AMR Diagnostic Challenge Prize. FAQs for Step 3 can be found here.
Deadline for submissions: January 3, 2020
Winner announced: August 5, 2020
This page last reviewed on August 5, 2020