The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs called on innovators to develop suicide prevention solutions that meet the diverse needs of Veterans.
A $20 million grand challenge to reduce Veteran suicides
Congratulations to the winners
On February 16, 2023, VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. announced the 10 winners of Mission Daybreak. Watch the announcement video and learn more about the teams’ innovative suicide prevention solutions.
About the challenge
Suicide is preventable, and we all have a part to play. Mission Daybreak is part of VA’s 10-year strategy to end Veteran suicide through a comprehensive, public health approach.
Suicide has no single cause, and no single strategy can end this complex problem. That’s why Mission Daybreak is fostering solutions across a broad spectrum of focus areas. A diversity of solutions will only be possible if a diversity of solvers — including Veterans, researchers, technologists, advocates, clinicians, health innovators, and service members — answer the call to collaborate and share their expertise.
Timeline
Mission Daybreak is a two-phase grand challenge. Phase 1 was open to all eligible solvers — including Veterans, researchers, technologists, advocates, clinicians, health innovators, and service members — to submit detailed concepts. 30 finalists advanced their solutions in the Phase 2 accelerator.
Challenge launch
May 25, 2022
Submission deadline
July 8, 2022
Finalist announcement
September 2022
Phase 2 accelerator kickoff
September 2022
Demo Day
November 2022
We are here
Winner announcement
February 2023
Awards
Phase 1 awarded $8.5 million: 30 finalists each received $250,000 and advanced to the Phase 2 accelerator, where they gained exclusive access to tailored resources. An additional 10 teams each received a Promise Award of $100,000.
Phase 2 awarded $11.5 million: Two first-place winners each received $3 million, three second-place winners each received $1 million, and five third-place winners each received $500,000.
TOTAL PRIZE POOL
$20 million
Awarded to 40 teams
Resources
Mission Daybreak curated resources for solvers preparing Phase 1 submissions. Learn more about suicide prevention, Veteran experiences, VA’s work to date, and access an extensive collection of open data, surveys, and reports. Solvers also attended the virtual information session and technical webinars, and joined the solver community.
This challenge supports and aligns with the priority goals and implementation principles of the White House strategy on Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide.
For more information on broader national efforts concerning mental health, visit FACT SHEET: President Biden to Announce Strategy to Address Our National Mental Health Crisis, As Part of Unity Agenda in his First State of the Union | The White House.