The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has announced a new funding opportunity, Accelerating Safe Clinical Evaluation of Novel Treatments: Ibogaine for Better Outcomes in OUD (ASCENT-IBO). The initiative seeks to accelerate the early clinical development of ibogaine as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), particularly for patients at increased risk of mortality.
ASCENT-IBO is focused on the clinical evaluation of ibogaine’s safety and efficacy through accelerated early-stage clinical trials. ARPA-H is inviting Solution Summaries proposing combined Phase I/II clinical trials that address dosing strategy; therapeutic set, setting, and psychological support; placebo or active-comparator strategy; and rigorous safety monitoring and risk mitigation. Proposals should also include operational plans for trial execution and plans to prepare for accelerated entry into Phase III trials and development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).
ARPA-H notes that competitive Solutions should include well-defined safety strategies and either have an Investigational New Drug (IND) application submitted or imminent plans to submit one to the FDA. Teams should have the expertise and capacity to execute all elements of the proposed work, including appropriate regulatory expertise. Existing state-level partnerships or support for ibogaine or neuroplastogen clinical development should be described in the submission.
To Apply:
- Interested applicants should review Special Notice ARPA-H-SN-26-158 and the requirements of the Proactive Health Office Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO), ARPA-H-SOL-24-106. The Special Notice is supplementary to the ISO, and Solution Summaries must be submitted under and comply with the ISO requirements.
- Solution Summaries may be up to six pages and should address all of the tasks identified in the Special Notice.
- Proposers’ Day registration closes September 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Proposers’ Day will be held September 15, 2026 in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, with virtual participation also available. The event is optional.
- Solution Summaries are requested by October 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Applicants should confirm the deadline in the Special Notice before submission, as ARPA-H’s ASCENT-IBO webpage currently displays a different submission time.
- ARPA-H anticipates that teaming may be necessary and encourages prospective proposers to identify collaborators with complementary expertise, facilities, and capabilities.
- Please notify the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) as soon as possible of your intention to apply to ensure that they will have enough time to support your application.
Please note that ASCENT-IBO is specifically focused on ibogaine. Proposals involving ibogaine-derived analogues or derivatives, other neuroplastogen-based compounds such as psilocybin or ketamine, or neuromodulation-based treatments are outside the objectives of this Special Notice.
For more information, please visit the ARPA-H ASCENT-IBO funding opportunity webpage.