What is the Mission Daybreak Challenge?
The Mission Daybreak Challenge, calls on eligible participants to develop innovated methods to help prevent suicides that meet the various needs of veterans. They will receive funding and resources that include data, research, mentorship, educational webinars and partnership opportunities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. Under the new initiative, 40 teams will receive awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, which will be distributed across two phases. Applicants have until July 8, 2022, to submit their proposals.
Individuals or teams applying for the grants are encouraged to submit concept papers focused on one of the following key areas:
- Utilizing digital data from active and passive sources
- Improved access to and efficiency to the Veterans Crisis Line
- Preventing firearm suicides
- Improving community resilience and connection
- Incorporating family and community into veteran’s well-being
- Reducing barriers to veterans asking for help
Phase 1 will award $8.5 million in prizes: 30 finalists will each receive $250,000 and advance to Phase 2, where they will gain exclusive access to accelerator resources. An additional 10 teams will each receive a Promise Award of $100,000.
In Phase 2, finalists will participate in an eight-week virtual accelerator, which will provide resources — from exclusive data sets to networking and mentorship — to help solvers prepare their final submissions. In November 2022, finalists will present their solutions to key stakeholders, investors, and partners at Demo Day, a live pitch event. A Phase 2 submission should include an ambitious but achievable roadmap for bringing the concept to life through prototyping, iteration, testing/validation, or evaluation.
Phase 2 will award $11.5 million in prizes: Two first-place winners will each receive $3 million, three second-place winners will each receive $1 million, and five third-place winners will each receive $500,000.
