DoW Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas
Can you apply?
This grant is for multidisciplinary research teams studying rare melanomas. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, and organizations with qualified investigators holding doctoral degrees.
The program requires an Initiating Principal Investigator and 1-2 Partnering PIs, each leading a distinct research project. At least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate must join the team.
Applicants must submit a pre-application first, then receive invitation to submit full applications. Clinical trials are permitted. The grant supports a 4-year project period with a maximum total cost of $2.8M per award.
Key dates
- May 5, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 14, 2026 Application deadline in 123 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
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.
Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs expects to allot roughly $5.6M to fund approximately 2 Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas applications with total cost caps of $2.8M 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 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Pre-application (Initiating PI only)
- Full application (all PIs)
- Research project narratives (one per PI)
- Biographical sketches (all PIs and key personnel)
- Budget justification (4-year project period)
- Patient advocate role documentation
- Letters of commitment from Partnering PIs
- Institutional support letters
Program contact
- 👤 eBRAP Help Desk Phone: 301-682-5507 Email: help@eBRAP.org
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-682-5507
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.420 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,265,729,366
-
$800,631,761
-
$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$53,718,832
-
$34,191,124
-
$24,907,742
-
$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- CA 11 awards $99.3M
- MA 7 awards $75.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.420). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,483,968,520 | |
| 2025 | $1,201,153,417 |
FAQ
Who can submit the pre-application?
Only the Initiating Principal Investigator submits the pre-application. All PIs must submit full applications after receiving an invitation.
Do I need a patient advocate on my team?
Yes, you must include at least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate. They provide input throughout planning, implementation, and dissemination.
What is the funding structure?
The program expects to fund approximately 2 awards with a $2.8M total cost cap per award from the $5.6M pool.
Can I include clinical trials?
Yes, clinical trials are allowed and encouraged as part of your research program.
When is the deadline and what happens next?
The deadline is October 14, 2026. Awards will be made by September 30, 2027 with a 4-year performance period ending by September 30, 2032.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Assemble your multi-investigator team early. Secure commitment from each PI and your patient advocate before pre-application submission.
- Frame your research around an overarching question. Your 2-3 projects must be complementary, not standalone studies.
- Engage your patient advocate in all phases. Document their role in research design, dissemination, and impact planning.
- Budget strategically within the $2.8M cap. Account for 4 years of work and ensure each project is fully justified.
- Review the pre-application feedback carefully. Use it to strengthen your full application before the resubmission window closes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Teams fail to include patient advocates early or treat them as token members rather than integral team contributors. Weak overarching questions that don't truly connect the complementary projects. Budgets exceeding the $2.8M cap or lacking detail for a 4-year timeline.
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