DoW Lupus, Idea Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research on lupus conducted by U.S. academic and research institutions, small businesses, and nonprofits. Applicants must have a valid U.S. federal research infrastructure and comply with DoD regulations. The program funds early-stage research ideas with significant potential to improve lupus understanding or treatment.
Both individual researchers and larger institutions may apply. International collaborations are possible but the lead applicant must be U.S.-based. The research must align with Department of Defense research priorities for lupus-related topics.
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Program description
Summary: This funding mechanism supports innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to a critical discovery or major advancement relevant to lupus. The emphasis is on innovation. Research must address at least one of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Lupus Research Program (LRP) Idea Award (IA) focus areas. This funding mechanism does not allow clinical trials.
Distinctive Features:
• Early-career investigators are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators (PIs) on applications to the FY26 LRP Idea Award (see Section 2. Eligibility Information).
• Preliminary data are permitted but not required.
• Applications should describe future directions of the work.
• An individual may be named as PI on only one application per LRP award mechanism (IA, Impact Award, Transformative Vision Development Award, Transformative Vision Award), for a maximum of four applications to the FY26 LRP
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Statement of Work
- Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae (PI and key personnel)
- Institutional Authorization Letter (for universities and nonprofits)
- Facilities and Resources documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Abigail Strock Contract Specialist
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 3016192342
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
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$2,265,729,366
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$800,631,761
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$74,531,880
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$67,205,571
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$55,443,120
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$34,191,124
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$24,907,742
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$21,394,379
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$19,100,256
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$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- CA 12 awards $107.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- TX 8 awards $76.5M
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 apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutes, small businesses (SBIR-eligible), and nonprofit organizations can apply. The applicant must be U.S.-based with federal research authorization.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is August 24, 2026. Applications open May 5, 2026. Check the funding opportunity announcement for submission instructions.
What types of research does this award fund?
This award funds early-stage, innovative research ideas on lupus. Topics may include disease mechanisms, diagnostics, therapeutics, or clinical outcomes related to lupus.
How competitive is this program?
DoD research awards are highly competitive. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and clear military relevance strengthen applications. Plan for a rigorous peer review process.
What is the typical funding range?
Idea Awards typically fund early-stage work. Exact amounts vary by funding announcement. Review the official FOA for specific budget guidance and caps.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Read the full FOA carefully for DoD-specific compliance requirements, cost-share policies, and allowable activities before drafting your proposal.
- Emphasize the novelty and innovation of your research idea. DoD funds high-risk, high-reward concepts.
- Clearly explain how your research benefits military health, veterans, or military readiness. DoD funding requires clear relevance to defense interests.
- Include strong preliminary data or a sound theoretical basis. Early-stage does not mean untested; show feasibility.
- Budget conservatively and justify all costs. DoD grants often scrutinize indirect costs and require cost-effectiveness documentation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to establish clear DoD relevance or military health connection. Proposals lack sufficient preliminary data or theoretical justification for feasibility. Applications miss agency-specific compliance requirements, cost caps, or institutional authorization deadlines.
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