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!

Eligible inventors are those who are employees of the VA and have disclosed an invention to the VA Technology Transfer Program.

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 vitroproof of concept testing 
• ex vivoproof 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 Guidelinesto 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 FY26 (prototyping services may be available through the VA Technology Transfer Assistance Program at no cost: vehiCLE/ATP, MADE, HERL).

Applicants must email a completed and signed Pre-Application (PA) 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 FY26 BRAVE Funding Program Announcement for Complete Details and Application Instructions

Key Dates* 

FY26 Pre-Application Question Form

FY26 Full BRAVE Application Questions Released

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