DoW Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Clinical/Translational Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers investigating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapies through clinical and translational research. Applicants must be independent investigators, including early-career researchers within 10 years of first faculty appointment or established researchers from other disciplines transitioning to DMD. Research must address at least one of the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas and include preliminary data.
Institutions may apply on behalf of eligible investigators. Projects may involve preclinical research, pilot clinical trials, and clinical trial readiness studies. The program supports both smaller (Funding Level 1) and larger (Funding Level 2) research projects.
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Research narrative and proposal
- Preliminary data/feasibility evidence
- Budget and budget narrative
- Curriculum vitae of principal investigator(s)
- Institutional support letter
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Danielle Reckley Grantor
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-1139
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
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$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 apply for this grant?
Independent investigators, including early-career researchers (within 10 years of first faculty appointment) and established researchers from non-DMD fields transitioning to DMD research. Your institution submits the application on your behalf.
Is preliminary data required?
Yes. All applications must include preliminary data. Pilot clinical trials and clinical trial readiness studies are allowed.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is September 18, 2026. Applications must be submitted by end of business on that date.
What can I apply for?
The program offers two funding levels for projects of varying complexity, plus a Partnering PI Option for collaborative research between two investigators. Research must address at least one FY26 CTRA Focus Area.
Is there cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required for this award.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas carefully before writing your proposal. Your research must directly address at least one listed focus area.
- Include strong preliminary data early in your narrative. Reviewers expect evidence of feasibility and progress toward clinical translation.
- Consider the Partnering PI Option if you're collaborating with another investigator. It offers structured support for meaningful partnerships.
- For early-career researchers, highlight your independent status and trajectory. Provide clear evidence of your first faculty appointment date if applying in the Early-Career Partnering PI category.
- Emphasize how your proposed therapies will benefit patients across the DMD lifespan. Projects addressing therapies for all ages are strongly encouraged.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate clear connection to one of the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas—reviewers reject applications that don't explicitly address listed priorities. Submitting applications with insufficient preliminary data or unclear translational pathway to clinical application. Not addressing cross-lifespan applicability when relevant—research benefiting DMD patients of all ages scores more competitively.
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