Summary

Creates a Department of Defense pilot program to evaluate, support, and accelerate diagnostic technologies that detect traumatic brain injury (TBI) in members of the Armed Forces, including in combat or austere settings. The program must be set up within 180 days of enactment, run research studies with DoD clinical and operational experts and affected servicemembers, and may award grants to eligible developers to advance validation, prototyping, testing, and transition to production.

• Creates a DoD pilot program to evaluate and accelerate diagnostic tools for traumatic brain injury in service members.
• Requires program establishment within 180 days of enactment.
• Directs research studies involving DoD clinicians, EMTs, TBI experts, and affected servicemembers to assess feasibility and clinical impact.
• Authorizes grants to eligible developers for validation RDT&E, prototyping, and activities that move technologies toward production.
• Gives grant priority to entities with demonstrated experience or ties to the national technology and industrial base and to modular/transition-ready solutions.
• Focuses evaluations on diagnostic accuracy, severity discrimination, interoperability, manufacturability, and impacts on readiness.
• Encourages participation from military treatment facilities, special operations units, and civilian Level I trauma centers through incentives.
• Does not specify funding amounts; it authorizes program structure and grant authority but not explicit appropriations.