Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA grants

The FY23 -FY28 Broad Agency Announcement for Extramural Biomedical Research and Development - HT9425-23-S-SOC1.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) intends to support clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on psychological health conditions and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) through clinical applications, including health care products, technologies and/or practice guidelines.   Distinctive Features: Funding from this award mechanism must support a clinical trial. ·        Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate a wide range of interventions, including new drugs, biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, therapies and behavioral health strategies. ·        Preliminary data are required. ·        The inclusion of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches is required. ·        The CTA offers funding for two Research Levels. The applicant is responsible for selecting the Research Level based on the scope of the research. ○        Research Level 1: Supports proof-of-principle pilot studies, as well as phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. ○        Research Level 2: Supports larger-scale and advanced clinical trials that evaluate effectiveness in relevant patient populations. ·         Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option ( available for both Research Levels ): This option accommodates two Principal Investigators (PIs), one of which is an Early-Career Investigator. If recommended for funding, each PI will receive a separate award. 

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Autism Research Program (ARP) Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of autism. Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), devices, clinical guidance and/or emerging approaches and technologies. Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials (e.g., pilot, first-in-human, phase 0) to demonstrate the feasibility or inform the design of more advanced trials through large-scale trials to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations. Distinctive Features: Applications are strongly encouraged to address one of the FY26 ARP Clinical Trial Award Areas of Interest. Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option for Early-Career Investigator: The FY26 Clinical Trial Award mechanism is offering a higher level of funding for applications that propose to partner an experienced PI (i.e., Initiating PI) with an Early-Career Investigator (i.e., Partnering PI) wishing to pursue a career in autism clinical trial research. FY26 Clinical Trial Award submissions are required to include community collaborations to optimize research impact. Research teams are therefore required to establish and utilize effective and equitable collaborations and partnerships with community members to maximize the translational and impact potential of the proposed research. Applications to the FY26 ARP Clinical Trial Award are expected to name at least one community partner (e.g., Autistic individual or caregiver, representatives of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. Interactions with other team members should be well integrated and ongoing, not limited to attending seminars and semi-annual meetings (see Attachment 12, Community Collaboration Plan).

Summary: The intent of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) is to support conceptually innovative research that could lead to impactful discoveries or significant advancements that will accelerate progress toward reducing the burden of Lyme disease and/or other tick-borne diseases and conditions, and improving patient care and/or the quality of life. Applications should propose research that is conceptually innovative, introduces a new concept or question, challenges existing paradigms, approaches issues from a new perspective, or exhibits other uniquely creative qualities; and should not merely be a next logical step or an incremental advance on published data or ongoing research. Distinctive Features: A Career Development Option is available to eligible early-career investigators who propose to conduct impactful mechanism-relevant research under the mentorship of an experienced tick-borne disease researcher(s). Applications submitted under the IDA – Career Development Option (IDA-CDO) will be reviewed using separate, career development-specific evaluation criteria by a separate, dedicated peer review panel; and are subject to a lower cost limit than those submitted under the standard IDA. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/tbdrppreann

Summary: Despite significant research investment in combat-relevant burn care, a disparity exists between newly discovered knowledge in burn care and its implementation into clinical practice across the distributed operational battlespace. The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Patient-Centered Research Award (PCRA) seeks to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy by developing a knowledge base that provides clinically useful findings about how interventions, clinical practices, guidelines, tools, and policies can be deployed to burn patients in an austere, resource-limited, military operational environment. Distinctive Features: ·        This award mechanism must support clinical research or clinical trials but cannot support preclinical or animal research . Applications may propose prospective or retrospective research involving human subjects or human subject data. ·         New for FY26: The FY26 PCRA offers a Mentorship Option at a higher funding level to support a synergistic relationship between an experienced researcher (Mentor) and one to two junior researchers (Mentees). The dual purpose of this award is to fund a primary research study addressing a critical gap in combat burn care while simultaneously fostering the development of the next generation of military burn research leaders.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) Health Services Research Award (HSRA) intends to fund high-impact research that bridges the gap between research, practice and policy by building real-world evidence on how interventions, clinical practices/guidelines, or policies can be deployed to targeted populations at the appropriate time. In order to meet this intent, the mechanism supports health services research approaches. Distinctive Features: ·        The HSRA will support health services research approaches that include comparative effectiveness research; implementation of interventions, diagnostics and clinical practices/guidelines; and validation of data science insights. ·        Applications must include clinical research or clinical trials . Prospective or retrospective clinical research or clinical trials involving human subjects, human subject data/records, and human anatomical substances are allowed. ·        Preliminary data are required. ·        Basic, preclinical and animal research are prohibited. ·        For research prospectively enrolling human subjects, inclusion of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches is required. ·         Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option : This option accommodates two Principal Investigators (PIs), one of which is an Early-Career Investigator. If recommended for funding, each PI will receive a separate award.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award supports a broad range of hypothesis-driven, multidisciplinary studies that have a short-term goal of advancing the state of the science in melanoma research and/or patient care. Team science is a synergistic effort that harnesses techniques, approaches and perspectives from multiple disciplines and/or therapeutic areas to address complex, multi-dimensional problems that will impact patient outcomes. Distinctive Features: ·        This funding mechanism requires multiple Principal Investigators (PIs). At least two and up to three PIs should partner to jointly design and execute a single research project ; multi-institutional partnerships are encouraged. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). ·         Consumer Collaboration Option: Investigators are encouraged, but not required, to form collaborative relationships with the melanoma consumer community to maximize the impact and translatability of the research for the benefit of the intended community(ies). ·        After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application .        Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application. All PIs must submit full applications. The Partnering PI(s)’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their proposed research effort.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) Clinical Research Award (CRA) supports clinical research that evaluates disease-specific factors and interventions. Research is intended to generate clinically useful evidence with potential to optimize patient outcomes and inform clinical care or policy. Research addressing any and all types of arthritis is encouraged. Applications must address one of two FY26 ATRP CRA Focus Areas: Prevention and Early Diagnosis, or Treatment and Mitigation of Disease Progression/Burden. Distinctive Features: The FY26 ATRP CRA offers funding for two research levels. It is the responsibility of the applicant to select the level that aligns with the scope of the proposed research. • Research Level 1: Applications proposing clinical research or early-phase/pilot clinical trials, to include new or emerging research that is not ready for a full-scale randomized controlled clinical trial. • Research Level 2: Applications proposing a full-scale clinical trial. Applications should include a community collaborator (e.g., patient/care partner, community-based organization consultant) who will provide advice and consultation during study design and throughout study planning and implementation. The ATRP encourages a community collaborator for Research Level 1 applications and requires a community collaborator for Research Level 2 applications. Preliminary and/or published data are required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Autism Research Program (ARP) Career Development Award supports early-career, independent investigators and/or the transition of established investigators from other research fields to conduct innovative, high-impact ideas or early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials with the potential to have a major impact on autism. Distinctive Features: Applications are strongly encouraged to address one of the FY26 ARP Career Development Award Areas of Interest or provide justification that the proposed research addresses a critical problem, question, or need in autism. FY26 Career Development Award submissions with a pilot clinical trial component are required to include community collaborations to optimize research impact. Applications are expected to name at least one community partner (e.g., an Autistic individual or caregiver, representatives of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (TTDA) is a burn-focused, product-driven award mechanism intended to provide support for the translation of promising preclinical findings into burn products for clinical application in an austere, resource-limited, distributed operational environment. Distinctive Features: The technology or therapeutic product(s) to be developed must be product-oriented (e.g., medical device, drug, or clinical practice guidelines involving a therapeutic or technology). The product(s) to be developed may be tangible or knowledge supporting the development of a tangible product and must address one or more of the FY26 MBRP TTDA focus areas. Knowledge products are allowable, provided that the knowledge is applicable to a technology or therapeutic under development. (A “knowledge product” is a non-tangible, non-materiel product that results from research with the potential to improve individual or public health.) ·         New for FY26: The FY26 MBRP TTDA offers a Mentorship Option at a higher funding level to support a synergistic relationship between an experienced researcher (Mentor) and one to two junior researchers (Mentees). The dual purpose of this award is to fund a primary research study addressing a critical gap in combat burn care while simultaneously fostering the development of the next generation of military burn research leaders.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Discovery Award supports innovative, untested, groundbreaking research that provides new insights and explores early concepts in combat-relevant burn care that provide the foundation for future translational and/or clinical research. The proposed project may be exploratory, hypothesis-driven, or hypothesis-generating research, but must be novel and must be based on a strong scientific rationale and a well-developed study design. Distinctive Features: The focus of this award mechanism is innovation. Proposed research should lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation or product development in the area of combat-relevant burn care. The outcome of research supported by this award should be the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for groundbreaking future research projects.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas, supports a multidisciplinary research program of at least two, but not more than three, distinct but complementary research projects addressing an overarching question relevant to rare melanomas. Distinctive Features: ·           *Updated for FY26* Investigators must include at least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate as part of the project team who will provide advice and consultation throughout planning, implementation, and results dissemination to maximize research impact. ·         This is a partnering mechanism, requiring an Initiating Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one, but not more than two, Partnering PIs, see Figure 1 .                    Each named PI is expected to be a Project Leader for one of the proposed research projects. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). ·        After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application .                     Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application. All PIs must submit full applications. The Partnering PI(s)’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their proposed research project. ·        Clinical trials are allowed.

Summary: The intent of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award (TDRA) is to support product-driven therapeutic and diagnostic development research aimed at reducing the burden of Lyme disease and/or other tick-borne diseases and conditions, and improving patient care and/or quality of life. Treatment-focused applications should be therapeutic evaluation studies designed to advance new ideas aimed at drug or treatment discovery that are still in the early/preclinical stages of development. Diagnosis-focused applications should propose diagnostic approaches that will be readily integrated into clinical settings.   https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/tbdrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Idea Award supports innovative, exploratory, high-risk/potentially high-reward research. Novelty and innovation are expected to be key aspects of the proposed project. By the end of the Idea Award funding period, the anticipated outcomes of successful efforts should establish proof of principle and obtain preliminary data to secure follow-on funding. Distinctive Features: • Preliminary data are discouraged. • After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Autism Research Program (ARP) Idea Development Award supports the development of innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for Autistic individuals. This award mechanism is designed to support innovative ideas with the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation. Distinctive Features: Applications are strongly encouraged to address one of the FY26 ARP Idea Development Award Areas of Interest or provide justification that the proposed research addresses a critical problem, question, or need in autism. Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: The Partnering PI Option is structured so that two investigators, each of whom will be designated as a PI, will work synergistically on a single project. The results of this partnering project should significantly advance the research beyond what would be possible through individual efforts.

Summary: Supports the addition of independent, early career investigators (Scholars) who are no more than seven years from their initial faculty appointment to the Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Melanoma Academy. The Melanoma Academy is a unique, interactive virtual academy focused on bringing together established investigators and Scholars to develop a network of successful, highly productive melanoma researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment. Distinctive Features: This award mechanism focuses on both the Scholar’s research and career potential in the melanoma field. Scholars must designate a Career Guide. The Career Guide must have a track record of successful mentorship coupled with a strong record of funding and publications in melanoma. Preliminary data are not required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports high-impact translational research that will accelerate critical findings into clinically relevant solutions. Research funded under this award mechanism will be hypothesis-driven, high-impact applied research that is relevant to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and the American public. Research addressing any and all types of arthritis is encouraged. Distinctive Features: The FY26 ATRP TRA mechanism is intended to support preclinical or animal research and may not be used for clinical research or clinical trials. Basic research, as defined in Section 3.1.2, is not allowed. A key aspect of this award mechanism is impact. The application should explicitly state how outcomes of the proposed research will significantly advance arthritis research, particularly in accelerating critical findings into clinically relevant solutions. Preliminary and/or published data, originating from research conducted by the applicant(s) or others, is required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Survivorship Research Award addresses the relatively new and underfunded area of melanoma-specific survivorship by supporting a broad range of innovative and impactful research that has the intended outcome of improving the health and well-being of melanoma survivors, their families and/or their care partners in the near term. Proposed studies focusing exclusively on animal models or considering survival only without consideration of quality of life, overall health and/or function are not responsive to this funding opportunity. Distinctive Features: ·         The application must include at least one melanoma consumer collaborator , defined as a melanoma survivor, family member and/or care partner who can provide lived experience expertise to the research project team, or a melanoma-community supporting organization to support the planning, execution, and implementation of the proposed research. ·        Clinical trials are allowed.

Summary: The Translational Research Award (TRA) intends to accelerate the conversion of scientific findings into impactful clinical applications. The TRA prioritizes innovative approaches over purely iterative or incremental research. Submissions focusing on minor modifications to existing standards without the intent or potential to significantly improve clinical care or patient outcomes do not meet the intent of the mechanism. Distinctive Features: Basic research and clinical trials are prohibited. Preliminary data are required. ·        For animal research, applications must describe the choice of model and its relevance to the human clinical condition. ·        For research prospectively enrolling human subjects, the inclusion of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches is required. ·        The Translational Research Award offers funding for two Research Levels. The applicant is responsible for selecting the Research Level based on the scope of the research. ○        Research Level 1: Supports the refinement of mature ideas and concepts into tangible and knowledge products positioned for further evaluation. ○        Research Level 2: Supports the rigorous evaluation of tangible and knowledge products in preparation for first-in-human studies or clinical trials. ·         Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option ( available for both Research Levels ): This option accommodates two Principal Investigators (PIs), one of which is an Early-Career Investigator. If recommended for funding, each PI will receive a separate award. 

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of cancer within at least one of the FY26 PRCRP Topic Areas. Clinical trials proposed may evaluate promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), devices, clinical guidance, and/or emerging approaches and technologies. Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials (e.g., pilot, first-in-human, phase 0) that evaluate the effects of interventions or inform the design of more advanced trials to large-scale trials (up to phase III) to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations. Distinctive Features: • Applications to this award mechanism must include a clinical trial. • Projects can range from phase 0 to phase III. • If an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), or equivalent, is required, a regulatory application must be submitted to the relevant regulatory agency by the Clinical Trial Award application submission deadline. The regulatory application should be specific to the product and indication to be tested in the proposed clinical trial. • Applications are required to include patient advocates. • Animal studies are NOT allowed under this award mechanism. All preclinical work must be completed prior to the award start date.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) Translational Research Partnership Award supports partnerships between clinicians, population scientists, applied scientists and/or basic scientists that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in pancreatic cancer toward clinical applications. The partnership must include at least one member with expertise in pancreatic cancer research or pancreatic cancer patient care. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 PCARP Focus Areas . ·        This award mechanism requires preliminary data to support feasibility of the research hypothesis(es) and research approaches. However, these data do not necessarily need to originate from studies of pancreatic cancer. Applications can support retrospective tissue analysis, correlative studies and pilot clinical trials; however, this mechanism does not allow large-scale clinical trials. ·         The Translational Research Partnership Award requires two Principal Investigators (PIs) referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI . Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) Focused Pilot Award supports the exploration and development of impactful and innovative concepts under a patient-centered focus area of pancreatic cancer research that could ultimately lead to major advancements that will have a profound effect on patients’ overall quality of life. The research this award supports should strive to produce robust preliminary data that can serve as a foundation for future clinical or real-world research application. Distinctive Features: This award mechanism allows, but does not require, preliminary data. Applications can support clinical research studies; however, this mechanism does not allow clinical trials. Preclinical animal studies do not meet the intent of this mechanism.

Summary: Supports studies that further develop mature ideas, expand upon key discoveries, and have the potential to make significant advances in bone marrow (BMF) failure research and/or patient care. Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) applications may involve translational and clinical research including studies in preclinical models, research with human data and/or anatomical substances, and research with human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with a clinical trial(s); however, this award mechanism does not support clinical trials. IIRA applications may also support Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling efforts such as lead compound characterization, and assessments of formulation and stability, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, dose/response and toxicology. Distinctive Features: This funding mechanism allows for a partnering Principal Investigator (PI). Only the initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit full applications. The partnering PI application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn. This award mechanism requires preliminary data relevant to the proposed project. Applications can support clinical research studies; however, this mechanism does not allow clinical trials.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Impact Award supports mature research that will have a near-term impact on clinical cancer care in one of the congressionally directed FY26 PRCRP Topic Areas. Applicants must consider how the research project will lead to the advancement of knowledge in cancer research, patient care and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS). Distinctive Features: • Applications must include preliminary data to support feasibility of the study. • Projects must have strong potential to result in a near-term impact in cancer. • The funding mechanism allows clinical trials. • This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, both applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) Idea Development Award supports the development of innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for individuals with pancreatic cancer. This award mechanism supports innovative ideas with the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 PCARP Focus Areas . Distinctive Features: This award mechanism requires preliminary data relevant to the proposed project. Applications can support clinical research studies; however, this mechanism does not allow clinical trials. Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option for Early-Career Investigator: This funding mechanism offers a higher level of funding for applications that propose to partner an experienced PI (i.e., Initiating PI, who will serve as the mentor) with an Early-Career Investigator (i.e., Partnering PI) wishing to pursue a career in pancreatic cancer research. For this option, only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Idea Award (IA) supports innovative, untested, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or basic cancer research. The advancement of knowledge in cancer research, patient care, and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to Service Members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries and the American public. Distinctive Features: The proposed project should demonstrate creative thinking and innovation. • Incremental advances, the next logical step, or switching a model system from one cancer to another cancer are not appropriate for this award. • Inclusion of preliminary data is not required; however, the project must be based on strong scientific rationale. • New for FY26: Early Career Investigator Option: The Early Career Investigator option is designed to support the continued development of promising independent investigators that are early in their faculty appointments.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to reconstructive transplant research, patient care, and/or quality of life. All projects must demonstrate solid scientific rationale with military-relevant utility. The Investigator-Initiated Research Award does not support clinical trials . Distinctive Features: ·         Scope: Applications may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models, and clinical research in human subjects or human anatomical substances. ·         Study Design and Feasibility: The study design should be rigorous and support maximal reproducibility and translational feasibility. A strong statistical plan with appropriate power analysis is important. ·         Impact: Project results should have the potential for long- and short-term impact on the reconstructive transplant research field and/or patient community. Projects should address at least one of the FY26 RTRP Focus Areas. ·         Preliminary Data: Preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to reconstructive transplantation and support the rationale for the proposed research must be included. ·         Military Relevance: All projects must be responsive to the health care needs of military Service Members and/or Veterans recovering from traumatic injury, and/or their Family members, caregivers, or clinicians, as well as the general public. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged but not required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP) Concept Award supports the exploration of highly innovative new concepts or untested theories that address an important problem relevant to reconstructive transplantation. The Concept Award does not support clinical trials . Distinctive Features: ·         Innovation: Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative. ·         Relevance: Projects should address at least one of the FY26 RTRP Focus Areas. ·         Preliminary Data: Presentation of preliminary data is not allowed; however, applications should demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results. A rationale for the proposed work must be provided. ·         Early-Career Investigators: Early-career investigators are encouraged to apply. Investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow are eligible to apply.

Summary: The BMFRP Idea Development Award (IDA) is intended to support innovative ideas and high-impact approaches based on scientifically sound evidence to move toward the BMFRP’s vision of understanding and curing BMF diseases. Distinctive Features: This funding opportunity is open to Established Investigators (EIs) and Early-Career Investigators (ECIs). Reviewers will assess Principal Investigators (PIs) using distinct review criteria based on their eligibility as an EI or ECI. Preliminary data is not required. Applications should demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results in the absence of preliminary data supporting the hypothesis.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA) supports Parkinson’s disease (PD) research for investigators in the early stages of their careers. The FY26 EIRA offers two funding levels, which align to the research career stage of the Principal Investigator (PI). Funding Level 1 (for fellows) requires the investigator to receive guidance from a designated Mentor, whereas Funding Level 2 (for early-career independent investigators) does not. Proposed research must address at least one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas . Distinctive Features: ·        The Early Investigator is considered the PI of the application and must exhibit strong potential for and commitment to pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of PD research; however, the PI is not required to have previous PD research experience. ·         Funding Level 1: Applications must include at least one Mentor appropriate to the proposed research project who has experience in PD research and mentoring, as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The selected Mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as a PD researcher. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required . ·         Funding Level 2: Mentor not required. Preliminary data are required . ·        Clinical trials are not allowed.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports highly rigorous, multidisciplinary, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to Parkinson’s disease research. Research must address at least one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas . Distinctive Features: ·         Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: Allows for more than one PI. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other PI(s) will be identified as Partnering PI(s), with a maximum of two Partnering PIs. ·        Preliminary data are required. ·        Clinical trials are allowed.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP) Resource Development Award (RDA) supports the development of a multiomic atlas generated from well-annotated human bone marrow failure (BMF) samples, with omic data derived from marrow specimens. The resulting dataset should serve as an open-access, durable resource for the BMF research and clinical communities and is expected to facilitate key discoveries that advance the understanding of BMF diseases. Distinctive Features: The application must include a robust Data Resource Sharing Plan that describes the means and timeline by which the fully developed resource will be made available to the scientific and clinical community.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award mechanism supports promising research with high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Applications must address the challenge in a way that can lead to a breakthrough and have major impact. The FY26 Breakthrough Award mechanism contains four different funding levels designed to support major (but not all) stages of research that will lead to clinical application. Each level specifies a distinct research scope. This program announcement discusses the Breakthrough Award Level 3. Distinctive Features: ·         For this funding mechanism, small-scale clinical trials are allowed but not required. Applications proposing projects with a clinical trial should be submitted under the Clinical Trial option. ·        The research team must include two or more breast cancer consumer advocates. ·         This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.

Summary: Initially created in fiscal year 2019 (FY19), the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators (AKCI) is a unique interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The Academy pairs Early Career Scholars (ECS) with established investigators (Designated Mentors) under the oversight of the AKCI Leadership Team, a Designated Mentor Panel, and the Kidney Cancer Patient Advocates Panel. The AKCI’s overarching goal is to conduct innovative and impactful kidney cancer research while also developing a vital resource, a network of highly productive kidney cancer researchers conducting cutting edge research that advances the state of the field in kidney cancer and leads to new treatments for individuals living with kidney cancer. Distinctive Features: ·         Early-Career Scholar: The FY26 KCRP AKCI-ECSA focuses on both the Scholar’s research and their career potential in the kidney cancer field. ·         Designated Mentor: The Designated Mentor must have a strong record of successful mentorship coupled with a strong record of funding (past and present) and publications in kidney cancer research. ·         Preliminary Data: Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research and approaches are required; however, these data do not need to be derived from the kidney cancer research field.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award mechanism supports promising research with high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Applications must address the challenge in a way that can lead to a breakthrough and have major impact. The FY26 Breakthrough Award mechanism contains four different funding levels designed to support major (but not all) stages of research that will lead to clinical application. Each level specifies a distinct research scope. This program announcement discusses the Breakthrough Award Level 4. Distinctive Features: ·         Clinical trials are required. ·        The research team must include two or more breast cancer consumer advocates. ·         This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program (JWMRP) Military Medical Research and Development Award (MMRDA) mechanism is intended to fund the logical continuation of previous Department of War (DOW)-funded research and development efforts relevant to the FY26 JWMRP that augment and accelerate high-priority medical requirements to meet the needs of Service Members and other Military Health System beneficiaries. The MMRDA supports a wide range of research projects spanning late-stage preclinical studies, late-state technology development efforts, technology demonstration, translational, and clinical research. Projects must be relevant to at least one of the FY26 JWMRP focus areas. Distinctive Features: To be eligible for JWMRP funding, applicants/offerors must have already received DOD/DOW core or DOD/DOW Congressional Special Interest funding. An MMRDA Clinical Research or Clinical Trial Option (MMRDA-CRCTO) is available to specifically support clinical research/observational studies, all phases of clinical trials/interventional studies, and/or correlative studies in support of the development of promising pharmaceutical or biologic candidates, medical devices and technologies. Applicants/offerors should select MMRDA-CRCTO when the application/proposal involves research that includes any human subjects, human biological samples (prospective or retrospective) or human data sets. Note: If selecting this option, applicants must submit additional relevant application/proposal materials.

Summary: The Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award is intended to support high-impact research that addresses a critical need and has the potential to make an important contribution to ovarian cancer or patient/survivor care. Distinctive Features: Application must contain strong research plan with sound scientific rational and logical reasoning. Preliminary data are required. Research projects may focus on any phase of research, from basic laboratory research through translational research, excluding clinical trials. Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: The Partnering PI Option is structured so that two investigators, each of whom will be designated as a PI, will work synergistically on a single project. The results of this partnering project should significantly advance the research beyond what would be possible through individual efforts.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Pilot Clinical Trial Award (PCTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Projects may range from phase 1 to small-scale phase 2 trials. Applications must address one of the following focus areas: ·         Biomarker-Driven Interventions: Disease-modifying interventions, with mechanism-specific biomarkers to predict which clinical trial participants are likely to respond, demonstrate target engagement, and effects on the intended biological pathway. ·         Clinical Care: Improving aspects of clinical care and symptom management for ALS. Distinctive Features: Funding from this award mechanism must support a clinical trial. The clinical trial should begin no later than 12 months after the award date or 18 months for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated studies. Projects proposing a therapeutic intervention (drug, biologic, and/or device) must incorporate biomarkers specific to the intervention into the trial design. All pre-applications and applications are required to incorporate community collaboration, as described in Section 3.2.2, to optimize research impact. Applications must include a detailed Regulatory Strategy plan that outlines the approach for obtaining regulatory approvals, if required, specifically for the funded portion of the study. In addition, applications must provide a separate Transition Plan that describes how the outcomes of the study will be advanced to the next phase of development, beyond the scope of the funded work.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award supports collaborations and ideas that will transform the lives of individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer and will significantly accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer. Applications must propose a synergistic, highly integrated, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional consortium of leading scientists, clinicians and breast cancer consumer advocates that will address a major problem in a way that a single investigator or group could not accomplish. The consortium’s collaborative efforts must make a transformative impact in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. If the application addresses a different fundamental issue, the application must couple it with at least one of the overarching challenges. Distinctive Features: This funding mechanism allows for up to five Principal Investigators (PIs) which includes the Consortium Director and three or four Project Team PIs. Applications must include at least one breast cancer consumer advocate per project team. Only the Consortium Director will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Consortium Director and Project Team PIs) applications by the full application deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) supports the development of high-impact ideas that advance the understanding of kidney cancer and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. The research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and a well-developed and articulated research approach. Personnel on the proposed team should have a strong background in kidney cancer research. Distinctive Features: ·         Partnering Principal Investigator Option: Supports meaningful and productive partnerships between two investigators, termed the Initiating Principal Investigator (PI) and Partnering PI, collaborating on a single application. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: Initially created in FY09, the OCRP Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) is a unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The overarching goal of the OCA is to conduct innovative and impactful ovarian cancer research while developing successful, highly productive ovarian cancer researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment. Distinctive Features: The OCA is a virtual career development and research training platform that consists of Early-Career Investigators (ECIs), their Designated Mentors, and an Academy Dean and Assistant Dean. The OCA-ECI Award is not a traditional career development award; the ECI is expected to participate in monthly webinars and annual workshops and to communicate and collaborate with other members of the Academy (other ECIs, Mentors, the Dean and Assistant Dean) as well as with the advocacy community.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure . The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research . Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas . The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials . Distinctive Features: ·         The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels. ·        Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. ·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel. ·         Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health. ·        The VRP may share FY26 IIRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of spinal cord injury (SCI). Distinctive Features: This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two Principal Investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn. Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least two spinal cord injury (SCI) community partners (e.g., SCI Lived-Experience Consultants, representatives of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The OCRP Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of ovarian cancer. Distinctive Features: Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), devices, clinical guidance and/or emerging approaches and technologies. Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials (e.g., pilot, first-in-human, phase 0) to demonstrate the feasibility or inform the design of more advanced trials through large-scale trials to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Therapeutic Idea Award (TIA) supports new, innovative, high-risk, high-gain ideas aimed at amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug or therapy discovery. The studies supported by this award mechanism are expected to be hypothesis-driven and generate preliminary data for future avenues of therapeutic investigation. Distinctive Features: Potential impact and innovation are important features of the TIA. Applications may demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results in the absence of preliminary data supporting the hypothesis. While the inclusion of preliminary data is not prohibited, the strength of the application should rely on the approach.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Translation Research Award (CTRA) supports high-impact, new, or emerging clinical research that requires additional preliminary studies, such as feasibility, pilot, or optimization, to prepare for future larger-scale clinical trials or implementation. Primary objectives of this mechanism include: • Accelerating the translation of current and emerging techniques or interventions into clinical use by addressing specific barrier(s) to clinical success for the purpose of de-risking or informing the design of definitive trials. • Identifying the most effective diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation options to support critical decision-making for patients, clinicians, care partners and policymakers. Distinctive Features: • This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two principal investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn. • Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least two spinal cord injury (SCI) community partners who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The Ovarian Cancer Pilot Award supports research that expands or modifies current thinking about and/or approaches in ovarian cancer, exploring innovative concepts or theories in ovarian cancer that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will drive the field forward. Distinctive Features: Innovation is key. Research projects that demonstrate exceptional scientific merit but lack innovation do not meet the intent of the mechanism. Preliminary data are not required but are allowed for this mechanism. This mechanism includes a blinded pre-application component. Pre-applications to this funding opportunity will undergo a blinded pre-application screening. While preparing your pre-application, do not include any material that may identify the PI, a collaborator, or the organization of the PI or collaborator.

Summary: Created in FY23, the Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Academy (OCCTA) supports the next generation of Early-Career Investigators (ECIs) in clinical trial research to produce effective treatments and cures for ovarian cancer. The OCCTA, through its Leadership, provides for professional and leadership development of the ECIs to include skills and competencies needed to execute clinical trials, providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior clinical trialists. The OCCTA will bring together established investigators (the Academy Dean and Assistant Dean), established Career Guides (mentors), and a group of ECIs/Scholars to conduct successful, highly productive clinical trials in ovarian cancer. Distinctive Features: Research funded under this FY26 funding opportunity will support translational research and small-scale, early-phase clinical trials in ovarian cancer. Preliminary data are required, however, these data do not necessarily need to be derived from the ovarian cancer research field. The ECI must be within 12 years of their last postdoctoral research position (Ph.D.), clinical fellowship (M.D.), or equivalent at the time of full application submission deadline. The ECI must commit no less than 25% effort to this award and/or OCCTA activities for the first two years. The Designated Mentor must be a clinical trialist with a strong record of mentoring and training early-career investigators.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in spinal cord injury (SCI) research into clinical applications. Distinctive Features: • This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two principal investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn. • Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least one SCI community partner (e.g., SCI Lived-Experience Consultant, representative of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports translational research that transforms a promising discovery into new drugs, devices or clinical practice guidelines that are ready for definitive testing in clinical trials during or by the end of the period of performance. The TRA may be used to support preclinical studies, clinical research or a pilot clinical trial , but not a full-scale clinical trial . Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas . Distinctive Features: ·        If developing new drugs or device(s), the research team must include expertise in the regulatory approval process. ·        The TRA includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. ·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, Personnel and Post-Award Transition Plan. ·         Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the TRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health. ·        The VRP may share FY26 TRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of service-connected eye injury and visual dysfunction. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas .   Distinctive Features: ·       For interventions that require Investigational New Drug (IND)/Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or equivalent regulatory authorizations for clinical testing, the IND/IDE application or equivalent must be submitted to the relevant Regulatory Agency by the CTA application submission deadline. In addition, applicants must provide documentation of communication from the Regulatory Agency indicating that the IND/IDE or equivalent is active/safe to proceed by March 1, 2027, in order for the CTA application to be considered for funding. Refer to Attachment 7: Regulatory Strategy for further details. ·       Scored peer review criteria include Clinical Impact; Research Strategy and Feasibility; Recruitment, Accrual, Retention; Regulatory Strategy and Transition Plan; Statistical Plan and Data Analysis; Ethical Considerations; Personnel and Communication. ·        Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the CTA, contribution to program portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award (COBA) supports the development and/or validation of clinical outcomes and biomarkers to enrich clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Projects can be relevant to a specific therapy, a class of therapeutics, or to a specific ALS subtype (such as a particular genetic mutation) and do not have to broadly apply to all patients. Distinctive Features: To meet the intent of the funding opportunity, applications may address clinical biomarkers and/or clinical outcomes . This may include the identification, development, and/or validation of promising biomarkers for ALS, which may include, but are not limited to susceptibility/risk, diagnostic, monitoring/disease progression, prognostic, predictive, response, or safety biomarkers. Clinical Outcomes projects may focus on the identification, development, and/or validation of clinician-, observer-, or patient-reported, and/or performance outcome measures for ALS. Projects may include the optimization of current outcome measures already in use. Applications may utilize digital health measures, including wearable devices, smart-phone sensors, video or voice recordings, imaging studies, or other devices which record disease-relevant physiological data and/or outcomes. Community Collaboration is an important element of the FY26 ALSRP COBA. Applicants will be expected to articulate how the proposed research question or study design was informed by the ALS lived experience community.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to spinal cord injury (SCI) research, patient care and/or quality of life. May focus on any phase of research from basic through translational science, though studies that focus solely on identifying intervention targets are discouraged. Distinctive Features: • This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two Principal Investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award (CA) supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. Applications must describe how the new idea will be innovative and present as a novel course of investigation in the field of rare cancers. Distinctive Features: Preliminary data are not required. Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the Principal Investigator (PI), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the proposal Project Narrative, Supporting Documentations, Impact Statement, Justification Statement, and Statement of Work (SOW) is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Therapeutic Development Award (TDA) supports research ranging from preclinical validation of therapeutic leads through U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies. The proposed studies are expected to be empirical in nature and product-driven. Applicants with limited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience are strongly encouraged to include collaborators with substantial experience in the relevant ALS model systems, endpoints and pathophysiology. Applications supported by this award must begin with lead compounds in hand and must already demonstrate proof-of-concept efficacy data in at least one appropriate preclinical model system of ALS, including whole-animal and cellular model systems. Distinctive Features: Mechanism-specific , predictive/cohort-selective, target engagement and pharmacodynamic biomarker development, in parallel to the main therapeutic effort, is a critical component of the FY26 ALSRP Therapeutic Development Award . If appropriate mechanism-specific biomarkers are already available or currently in development, how the existing biomarkers will improve trial design, patient selection, and efficiency or interpretation of the proposed ALS therapeutic approach must be apparent in the application. Development of biomarkers for the purposes of diagnosis, prognosis, or measurement of general disease progression without consideration of the therapeutic development process will not be supported. Therapeutic candidates which have already been granted an IND are not appropriate for this mechanism.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) Transforming Diagnosis Award (TrDA) supports non-incremental, solutions-oriented research that reduces or overcomes important barriers to obtaining a diagnosis, meaningful disease monitoring and accurate prognosis. Distinctive Features: Clinical research is allowed, however clinical trials and animal research are prohibited. Preliminary data are required. Community collaboration is required for studies prospectively enrolling human subjects. Study Population: The AZRP encourages studies to leverage existing cohorts/datasets. Cohorts consisting of individuals 65 years or younger are also encouraged. Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option: The TrDA includes an option for more than one PI and supports both new and existing collaborative partnerships. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). If utilizing this option, at least one independent investigator must meet the CIT Partnership Option eligibility requirements at the time of application submission.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award (EHDA) supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in neurofibromatosis (NF) research. Studies supported by this award mechanism should lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation. The proposed research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and study design. Distinctive Features: • Innovation: The proposed research project should be innovative. Innovative research may introduce a novel paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from novel perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. • Preliminary Data: Preliminary and/or published data is encouraged but not required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) promotes ideas that are ready for further development and have the potential to yield high-impact findings and new avenues of investigation. Distinctive Features: The RCRP encourages applicants to include an exploratory aim or sub-aim to support any necessary discovery-driven research. Preliminary data with disease-specific rationale are required. However, these data do not necessarily need to originate from studies of the proposed rare cancer type(s)/subtype(s) under study. Research should have high potential impact on rare cancers and the patient community.

Summary: The Orthopaedic Research Program (ORP) Applied Research Award (ARA) seeks applied research applications focused on advancing optimal treatment and restoration of function for individuals with orthopaedic injuries sustained during combat or service-related activities. Distinctive Features:  • Applied research is defined as work that refines concepts and ideas into potential solutions with a view toward evaluating technical feasibility of promising new knowledge products, pharmacologic agents, behavioral and rehabilitation interventions, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, clinical guidance and/or emerging approaches and technologies. • Preliminary data is required. • Military relevance : the ORP expects that research findings benefit Service Members, their families, Veterans and the general public. • Clinical research is not allowed.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Scholar Award (NFRA-SA) supports early-career independent investigators (Scholars) joining the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy to pursue a neurofibromatosis project that may include basic, translational, and/or clinical research. The proposed research should address at least one of the FY26 NFRP Areas of Emphasis, under the leadership of the NFRA Director and Deputy Director. The overarching goal of the NFRA is to conduct innovative and impactful research in the field of neurofibromatosis disorders while developing successful, highly productive NF researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment. Distinctive Features: • Scholar: The Scholar, named as the Principal Investigator, must be less than 10 years of completion of their terminal degree by the time of the application deadline (excluding time spent in residency, clinical training, or on family medical leave). • Career Guide: This award mechanism requires each Scholar to designate a Career Guide for guidance. The Career Guide is not required to be at the same institution as the Scholar; however, if the (primary) Career Guide is from a different institution, the application must identify a secondary Career Guide at the Scholar’s institution.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) Transforming Care Award (TrCA) supports clinical research or clinical trials evaluating interventions, innovations, and solutions in critical areas for dementia care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementia (AD/ADRD) and their care partner(s). Distinctive Features: Clinical research and clinical trials are allowed; however, clinical trials solely testing or evaluating pharmacological interventions do not meet the intent of this funding opportunity. Studies utilizing animal models do not meet the intent of the mechanism and are not allowed. Preliminary data are required. Community collaboration is required for research prospectively enrolling human subjects. The AZRP encourages studies to leverage existing cohorts/datasets. Cohorts consisting of individuals 65 years or younger are also encouraged. Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option: The TrCA includes an option for more than one PI and supports both new and existing collaborative partnerships. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). If utilizing this option, at least one independent investigator must meet the CIT Partnership Option eligibility requirements at the time of application submission.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) mechanism supports the advancement, execution, and analysis of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the prevention, treatment, or management of symptoms, diseases or conditions associated with or resulting from military-related toxic exposures. Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept clinical trials (e.g., pilot, first-in-human, phase 0) designed to demonstrate the feasibility or inform the design of more advanced trials, through large-scale trials (including pragmatic clinical trials) to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations.   Distinctive Features: To encourage applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations, the FY26 TERP CTA includes a Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO) . One Principal Investigator (PI) is identified as the initiating PI, and an additional PI may be identified as a Partnering PI. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards. The intent is to support interdisciplinary partnerships, such as those between clinicians and research scientists, that will accelerate the movement of promising interventions/​knowledge products into clinical applications. Partnering should significantly advance the research beyond what would be possible through independent efforts. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/terppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Orthopaedic Research Program (ORP) Clinical Research Award (CRA) seeks clinical research that evaluates orthopaedic-specific factors and interventions. The ORP intends for research supported by this mechanism to generate clinically useful evidence with potential to optimize patient outcomes and inform clinical care or policy. Applications must address how the proposed research will impact patient care and reduce the burden of orthopaedic injury and sequela. The ORP expects that research findings benefit Service Members, their families, Veterans and the general public. To meet the intent of the award mechanism, applications must specifically address at least one of the FY26 ORP CRA Focus Areas. Distinctive Features: ·        The CRA offers two research levels. Research Level 1 (RL1) supports clinical research in the following FY26 ORP focus areas: ·        Ligamentous Trauma ·        Osseointegration Outcomes ·        Return-to-Duty Strategies ·        Military Women’s Health Research Level 2 (RL2) supports clinical trials in the following FY26 ORP focus areas: ·        Ligamentous Trauma ·        Limb Stabilization and Protection ·        Return-to-Duty Strategies

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) promotes new ideas that are still in the early stages of development and have the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation. This award supports impactful, high-risk/high-reward research that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the near term. Applications should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale. The DMDRP strongly encourages research projects investigating therapies designed to demonstrate efficacy cross the life span, including infants, toddlers and nonambulatory individuals. Distinctive Features: The FY26 DMDRP IDA mechanism offers three eligibility career categories: • The Established Investigator category is for independent investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent • The New Investigator – Early-Stage category is for independent investigators early in their careers (i.e., within 10 years of their first faculty appointment or equivalent). Applicants in this category will be reviewed separately from Established Investigators. • The New Investigator – Transitioning category is for independent investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent, in an area other than muscular dystrophy who are seeking to transition to a career in DMD, thereby bringing their expertise to the field. Applicants in this category will be reviewed separately from Established Investigators. Preliminary data relevant to DMD that supports the feasibility of the research hypotheses and research approaches are required for all applications. Clinical trials or clinical trial aims are not allowed.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Synergistic Idea Award (SIA) supports new ideas that represent synergistic approaches to neurofibromatosis (NF) research involving two or three Principal Investigators (PIs). These investigators should utilize their complementary and synergistic perspectives to address a central problem or question in NF research. Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to NF and the proposed research project. Distinctive Features: • Partnering Principal Investigators: One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. An additional one or two PI(s) will be identified as a Partnering PI. Each partner will be recognized as a PI, submit a separate application (even if the partners are at the same organization), and receive an individual award.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) Platform Clinical Translation Award supports the translational development and/or early-phase clinical trials for broadly applicable clinical technologies that will address urgent and complex needs related to two congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic areas. The platform product in development should address one of the FY26 PRMRP portfolio-specific strategic goals and address the health care needs of military Service Members, Veterans and their Families. Distinctive Features: Allows for multiple Principal Investigators (PIs). The proposed experiments may represent a single project led by a single PI, or it may consist of partnerships between principal investigators that will occur synergistically to advance a platform product. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. Up to two additional PIs can be identified as Partnering PIs. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). Requires a PI-convened external advisory board with patient advocate participation. The patient advocate must be a person living with, or a family member or caretaker of someone with, a disease or condition addressed in one of the applicant-selected congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic areas. Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $30M to fund approximately two Platform Clinical Translation Award applications with total cost caps of $15M per award. The maximum period of performance is 4 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with a maximum of $8M in FY26, with the remaining budget to be funded out of future fiscal years depending upon meeting performance-based milestones and availability of future funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032. Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) Clinical/Translational Research Award (CTRA) supports advanced translational research to accelerate promising ideas in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) research toward clinical applications. Research must address at least one of the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas. Research projects investigating therapies that will be efficacious across the life span are strongly encouraged. Distinctive Features: The FY26 CTRA offers two funding levels: • Funding Level 1 to support smaller, less complex preclinical and/or clinical research. • Funding Level 2 to support larger, more complex preclinical and/or clinical research. The FY26 CTRA also offers a Partnering PI Option (PPIO) to support meaningful and productive partnerships between two investigators collaborating on the proposed research project. The PPIO has two eligibility categories: • Early-Career Partnering PI category for an independent, early-career investigator within 10 years of their first faculty appointment (or equivalent) by the time of application submission. • Established Interdisciplinary Partnering PI for independent investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent, in an area other than muscular dystrophy, seeking to transition to a career in DMD, thereby bringing their expertise to the field. Preliminary data are required for all applications. Pilot clinical trials and clinical trial readiness studies to better inform development of drugs, devices, and other interventions are allowed.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) Transforming Research Award (TrRA) supports non-incremental, robust, well-designed research that drives transformative advancements in reducing risk and preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease and/or Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD). Distinctive Features: • Applications must address at least one of the following focus areas: ○ Risk Factor Knowledge: Research that advances understanding, identification, and/or validation of risk and/or protective factors, with research outcomes/products focused on accelerating solutions. Projects may include, but are not limited to, research on environmental, epigenetic, genetic, lifestyle, occupational, or other risks not listed here. ○ Risk Reduction Solutions: Research that describes methods, technologies, and strategies that contribute to reducing risk and preventing AD/ADRD. • Clinical research is allowed, however clinical trials and animal research are prohibited. • Preliminary data are required. • Community collaboration is required for research prospectively enrolling human subjects. • Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option: The TrRA includes an option for more than one PI and supports both new and existing collaborative partnerships. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). If utilizing this option, at least one independent investigator must meet

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Resource and Community Development Award (RCDA) supports the development of research resources and clinical or preclinical datasets that will advance the field of rare cancers research and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals with rare cancers. Research supporting this funding opportunity should fill one of the following major gaps: Lack of research and clinical resources, including patient tissues, cell and tumor models. Lack of communication and dissemination strategies within scientific and patient communities for sharing rare cancers research and clinical findings. Lack of infrastructure for sharing data and other resources. Lack of therapeutics and mechanistic research to inform treatment development. Distinctive Features: Documentation of plans for engagement and partnerships with Patient Advocates throughout the life cycle of the research study from development of the research question through execution of the study. Community building and enhancement are key components. A description of the dissemination and sustainability of the platform for scientific and/or clinical and patient community is required. Preliminary data are not required but may be included to address feasibility.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Clinical Research Extension Award supports research that extends the data collection, follow-up, and analysis of breast cancer clinical studies. The intent of this award mechanism is to increase the clinically relevant impact of breast cancer patient participation in clinical studies by addressing the knowledge lost due to early trial termination, limited patient follow-up, or suboptimal sample and/or data collection and analysis. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Distinctive Features: • The research team must include two or more breast cancer consumer advocates. • This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have significant impact on the treatment and management of a disease or condition addressed in one of the congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic areas and FY26 PRMRP strategic goals. Distinctive Features: Must support a clinical trial. Supports two different application categories, based on the phase of planning for the clinical trial: Clinical Trial Only or Clinical Trial with Planning Phase. The Clinical Trial with Planning Phase option is intended to support the final phase of regulatory activities and planning activities that are necessary to be completed prior to initiation of the clinical trial. The planning phase cannot be used to finalize the intervention or support animal studies. Applications that already have regulatory approvals in place and are submitting to the Clinical Trial Only option may be prioritized over those requesting the Planning Phase option. Animal studies are not supported. Studies must complete all preclinical empirical laboratory work prior to the award start date. Supports three funding levels, each offered with and without a Planning Phase: Funding Level 1: Supports phase 0 or phase 1 clinical trials or non-phased trials with fewer than 100 participants. Funding Level 2: Supports phase 2 clinical trials or non-phased trials with fewer than 300 participants. Funding Level 3: Supports phase 3 clinical trials or non-phased trials with more than 300 participants. Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $94.5M to fund approximately 9 Clinical Trial Award applications with total cost caps of $800,000 for the planning phase of a Clinical Trial with Planning Phase, $6M for Funding Level 1, $10M for Funding Level 2, and $20M for Funding Level 3 per award. The maximum period of performance is 4 years for the clinical trial, and 12 months for the planning phase. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032. Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award mechanism supports promising research with high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Applications must address the challenge in a way that can lead to a breakthrough and have major impact. The FY26 Breakthrough Award mechanism contains four different funding levels designed to support major (but not all) stages of research that will lead to clinical application. Each level specifies a distinct research scope. This program announcement discusses the Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2. Distinctive Features: * This funding mechanism allows for applications submitted under Funding Level 1 or Funding Level 2. Funding Level 2 also includes a Population Science Studies option. With compelling justification, population science studies may request higher levels of funding and an additional year in the period of performance. * This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports high-impact research that addresses a critical need and has the potential to make important contributions to the field of neurofibromatosis disorders or advance patient care. Research projects may focus on any phase of research, excluding clinical trials. The rationale for a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinician’s firsthand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to NF and the proposed research project. Distinctive Features: This award mechanism offers two funding levels based on participation in two optional features: • Open Science Initiative: Catalyzes research for neurofibromatosis through early access to data and data sharing within the neurofibromatosis community. • Optional Qualified Collaborator: Encourages collaborative research between basic scientists and clinical researchers, and between academic and biotechnology scientists. The funding levels are defined as follows: • Level 1: Applications without an optional feature. • Level 2: Applications including one of the optional features.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Combat Readiness – Medical Research Program (CRRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports hypothesis-driven innovative, high-impact translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas and/or technologies in trauma care into solutions to maximize casualty survivability, improve patient care closer to the point of injury and/or trauma care guidelines. Preliminary data are required. Research using well-validated animal models is allowed. Distinctive Features: • **NEW for FY26** An investigator may be named as the Principal Investigator (PI) on only one FY26 CRRP TRA application. • Research supported by the FY26 CRRP TRA must represent a mature, translational research effort with a minimum biomedical technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or knowledge readiness level (KRL) of 4.

Summary: The intent of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Translational Research Award (TRA) is to support translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in military-related toxic exposure research into clinical applications, including health care products, interventions, technologies and/or clinical practice guidelines. Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations. New Approach Methodologies may also be used. Applications should provide evidence for the reciprocal transfer of information between basic and clinical science, or vice versa, in developing and implementing the research plan.   Distinctive Features: To encourage applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations, the FY26 TERP TRA includes a Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO). One Principal Investigator (PI) is identified as the initiating PI, and an additional PI may be identified as a Partnering PI. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards. The intent is to support interdisciplinary partnerships, such as those between clinicians and research scientists, that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas into clinical applications. Partnering should significantly advance the research beyond what would be possible through individual efforts. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/terppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is intended to support studies that will make an important contribution toward research and/or patient care for diseases or conditions associated with military-related toxic exposures. Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic laboratory research through translational research, including preclinical studies in animal models and human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. New Approach Methodologies may also be used. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/terppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP) Focused Research Award (FRA) supports promising research that accelerates drug discovery and therapeutic development for hearing restoration after military-relevant auditory system injury. The FRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 HRRP Focus Areas. The FRA cannot be used to support clinical trials, tinnitus research or vestibular research. Distinctive Features: • The FRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels. • Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. • Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel. • Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the FRA, contribution to the HRRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Mentored Clinical Research Award (MCRA) supports patient-oriented vision injury research conducted by highly motivated military or civilian clinicians in training. The MCRA may be used to support a standalone study of high impact to vision injury care or the generation of clinical research data in preparation for a more expansive study. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas . The MCRA may not be used to support preclinical research or clinical trials . Distinctive Features: ·        Key personnel must include an established clinician or Ph.D. clinical scientist, who will serve as Principal Investigator (PI) and a clinician in training (e.g., a fellow, resident, junior clinician, clinician in a Ph.D. program), who will conduct the proposed research under mentorship of the PI, with support from supporting personnel as appropriate. ·        The clinician in training should have sufficient time remaining in their training program to complete the research proposed under the MCRA.  ·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact and Personnel. ·         Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the MCRA, contribution to program portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health. ·        Applicants must submit documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee (EC) approval or exemption by January 1, 2027 , in order for the MCRA application to be considered for funding.  https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Leadership Award (NFRALA) supports visionary, established neurofibromatosis (NF) investigators with documented history of neurofibromatosis funding, publications, strong mentorship and commitment to leadership to serve as Director and Deputy Director of the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy. The Academy Director and Deputy Director will execute a multi-institutional, interactive, virtual research academy that consists of scholars, who are early-career investigators, and their career guides, who serve as the scholars’ primary mentors. Distinctive Features: • Academy Director: Established NF investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor, or equivalent, at the full application submission deadline. • Academy Deputy Director: Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor, or equivalent, at the full application deadline and affiliated with a different institution than the Academy Director. • Pilot Research Project: The Academy Director and Deputy Director will conduct one or more pilot research projects in collaboration with the academy scholars. Preliminary and/or published data relevant to NF and the proposed research project are encouraged but not required.

The USAMRDC’s mission is to provide solutions to medical problems of importance to the American Service Member at home and abroad, as well as to the general public at large. The scope of this effort and the priorities attached to specific projects are influenced by changes in military and civilian medical science and technology (S&T), operational requirements, military threat assessments, and national defense strategies. Extramural research and development programs play a vital role in the fulfillment of the objectives established by the USAMRDC. General information on the USAMRDC can be obtained at https://mrdc.health.mil/. This BAA is intended to solicit extramural research and development ideas using the authority provided by 10 USC 4001. The BAA is issued under the provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-369), as implemented in FAR 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 and in Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs) 22.315. In accordance with FAR 35.016, projects funded under this BAA must be for basic and applied research to support scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on development of a specific system or hardware solution. Research and development funded through this BAA are intended and expected to benefit and inform both military and civilian medical practice and knowledge. This BAA utilizes competitive procedures in accordance with 10 USC 3012 for the selection for award of S&T proposals/applications. For the purposes of this BAA, S&T includes activities involving basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, and, under certain conditions, may include activities involving advanced component development and prototypes. The selection process is highly competitive, and the quantity of meaningful submissions (both pre-proposals/pre-applications and full proposals/applications) received typically exceeds the number of awards that available funding can support. This BAA provides a general description of USAMRDC’s research and development programs, including Research Areas of Interest, evaluation and selection criteria, pre-proposal/ pre-application and full proposal/application preparation instructions, and general administrative information. Specific submission information and additional administrative requirements can be found in the document titled, “General Submission Instructions,” which is available on Grants.gov along with this BAA. The FY23-FY27 USAMRDC BAA is continuously open for a 5-year period, from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Submission of a pre-proposal/pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) (https://eBRAP.org/). Pre-proposals/pre-applications may be submitted at any time throughout the 5-year period. If the USAMRDC is interested in receiving a full proposal/application, the Principal Investigator will be sent an invitation to submit via eBRAP. A full proposal/application must be submitted through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/). Invited full proposals/applications can be submitted under this FY23-FY27 BAA through September 30, 2027.

ATTENTION: This announcement will be revised regularly to incorporate country specific narratives (Attachment 1 of the announcement) with information vital to the content of application. Potential applicants interested in applying to this announcement should click 'Subscribe' to be notified of future revisions.    DoD HIV/AID Prevention Program's (DHAPP) objective, through the PEPFAR program, is to save lives, prevent HIV infections, and accelerate progress toward achieving HIV/AIDS epidemic control and to support the development of interventions and programs in military health systems that address these issues. DHAPP works with militaries of foreign countries to devise plans based on the following process: Meet with key partners in country to determine provisional major program areas and other technical assistance needs. Adapt DHAPP support to a country’s need for prevention, care and/or treatment of its HIV/AIDS situation based on an assessment of the country’s epidemic, and more specifically, in that country’s military. Strengthen the military capacity for ownership and behavioral changes over the long term. Consider program design by leveraging assets with other country partners who have/had successful prevention, care, and/or treatment efforts. Focus on prevention, care and/or treatment impact aligned with national implementation plans. Implement and monitor programs to ensure accountability and sustainability. Countries and their militaries need strong evidenced based HIV programs with measurable courses of action that demonstrate the following specific attributes. Priorities for DHAPP include the following but are subject to change. Support and ownership from the military sector. Development of plans of action and support for military policies that further HIV epidemic control. Alignment with PEPFAR and national strategies and priorities. Testing and treatment expansion to meet 2020 goals of 90-90-90 and 2030 goals of 95-95-95 for people living with HIV. (The first goal is identifying 90/95 percent of all HIV-positive individuals in the population; the second goal is linking 90/95 percent of all those identified HIV positive people to consistent antiretroviral treatment; and the last goal is reaching 90/95 percent of all those on antiretroviral treatment to attain viral suppression.) Care and treatment plans should use the “Treat All” approach with differentiated models of care including tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis, cervical cancer in HIV positive women, other sexually transmitted infections (STI) other opportunistic infections, and care for those with advanced HIV disease. Reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Combination prevention using biomedical, behavioral and structural support for sexual transmission of HIV and other STI. Prevention packages for specific populations including a comprehensive package for Key Populations (KP), Priority Populations, and prevention interventions for young people. Stigma and discrimination reduction associated with HIV infection. Program monitoring to collect and report on PEPFAR indicators, ensure quality of service delivery using clinical and laboratory monitoring tools and to take rapid corrective action based on results. Strengthen HIV data collection systems for improved clinical decision making and program management. Promoting sustainability through capacity building of the military partner. Transition to Local Partners: Local partners are encouraged to apply to this announcement . To sustain epidemic control, it is critical that the full range of HIV prevention and treatment services are owned and operated by local institutions, governments, and community-based and community-led organizations – regardless of current antiretroviral (ARV) coverage levels. The intent of the transitioning to local partners is to increase the delivery of direct HIV services, along with non-direct services provided at the site, and establish sufficient capacity, capability, and durability of these local partners to ensure successful, long-term, local partner engagement and impact.