BARDA launched the first stage of a $100 million prize competition to incentivize development of broad‑spectrum, small‑molecule antivirals targeting Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families. The program aims to fill therapeutic gaps for emerging and re‑emerging RNA viruses and to attract private‑sector innovation through milestone prizes rather than traditional grants. BARDA framed the prize as complementary to its existing pandemic preparedness portfolio and as a route to accelerate candidate maturation toward advanced preclinical and clinical readiness.