Thanks to a appropriation from the State of Arizona, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation is pleased to announce that the call for proposals is now open for the AZAdvances Improving Health for Veterans program. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals before the November 14, 2025 deadline.
AZAdvances Improving Health for Veterans
The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation is the 501c3 public charity contracted with the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office (ASTO) to do the work funded by distributions from the Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund (AHIT) and other appropriations designated by the State of Arizona. The goal is to further the progress of health innovations in Arizona by developing our workforce, supporting life science entrepreneurs, and providing resources that move health innovations created by Arizona innovators forward faster so that they may benefit the people of Arizona.
AZAdvances, part of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation is the initiative that executes on the mission of the Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund.
In its FY26 budget, the State of Arizona appropriated $150,000 to ASTO specifically to support programs that improve health for Arizona’s veteran community.
Submission Requirements
- Submission Deadline is 11/14/2025
- All Phase 1 Proposals must be submitted via the online form.
- Only applications from Arizona companies will be accepted. Your company’s Entity ID from ecorp is required on the application.
- Program funding is limited to a maximum of $40,000 per project.
- Funding is on a direct reimbursement basis as supported by receipts or timecards depending on the type of program.
- F&A or other overhead costs are not allowed.
- Matching investment by the applicant or others is recommended but not required.
- Applicants must meet the SBA’s small business definition.
- Your Impact Statement must clearly demonstrate how funding your proposal can benefit Veterans.
- All projects should be completed by December 1, 2026.
Submission Guidelines
- Complete the required company demographic information. Proposals will only be accepted from Arizona-based for profit or non profit organizations. Requests for funding by university researchers will not be accepted as the State of Arizona supports other programs to fund university research.
- Select your Project Category. Some ideas are provided below:
- Workforce programs might include internships for Arizona Students; apprenticeships to assist veterans with re-careering into life science careers. Note: Interns will be hired and managed under the AZAdvances Talent Program. Interns are hired and paid by OTEF and are limited to 20 hours per week for 3 months. (Internships are budgeted at $5,000 per intern over the 3 month period.) Apprentices shall be hired by the company.
- R & D programs might include product design & testing, clinical research and data evaluation for veteran focused issues, products, or services.
- Product Roll Out Programs might include programs working with the VA or other veteran facing healthcare providers to further determine how an FDA Approved or FDA Cleared product or service specifically benefits veterans.
- Other ideas outside of these categories will be considered as long as they further health innovation and are designed to benefit Arizona’s veterans.
- Provide your Project Title, Project Description, and Project Timeline.
- Provide information on your project budget and matching funds if provided.
- Share your IMPACT STATEMENT. Briefly explain how this funding will IMPROVE HEALTH and SUPPORT VETERANS. Projects that cannot define a direct benefit will not be considered.
Evaluation Timeline
- 11/14/2025 – Applications Close
- 11/21/2026 – Applicants will be notified if their proposal has been approved for further evaluation OR if it was not selected for this grant cycle.
- Projects will be awarded in December of 2025.
Ask Questions
For more information or to request feedback on your project ideas, please contact AZAdvances.
Applicants with Projects considered for funding will be provided a contract for review after a consultation with the AZAdvances team. Projects will start on December 1, 2025 and must conclude no later than December 1, 2026. AZAdvances contracts require annual feed back relating to project outcomes and impact on an ongoing basis following the contract term.