Rice University secured up to $24.8 million from ARPA‑H to develop bioprinted kidney tissues as part of a multi‑year effort to address the organ donor shortfall. The award funds a consortium led by Dr. Antonios Mikos and will support engineering of vascularized, transplant‑grade kidney constructs with the goal of producing clinically relevant grafts. The project sits at the intersection of tissue engineering, materials science, and regenerative medicine and will combine bioprinting platforms with cell biology advances to create functional nephron structures and perfusable vasculature. ARPA‑H’s funding emphasizes rapid translation and high‑risk, high‑reward modalities. If successful, bioprinted kidney tissues could reduce reliance on deceased‑donor transplantation and provide scalable alternatives for end‑stage renal disease, though clinical translation will require long‑term functional and safety data.