DoW Kidney Cancer, Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for junior faculty conducting kidney cancer research. Applicants must be early-career scholars with preliminary research data demonstrating feasibility. You must pair with an established mentor in kidney cancer research who has a strong funding and publication record.
The program pairs scholars with designated mentors for intensive mentoring, networking, and collaboration. This is a virtual academy focused on developing the next generation of kidney cancer researchers.
Applicants must be affiliated with a US institution. The program emphasizes both research innovation and career development in the kidney cancer field.
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Research proposal/project narrative
- Preliminary data and feasibility assessment
- Designated mentor biography and qualifications
- Mentor letter of support
- Institutional commitment/approval documentation
- CV of Early Career Scholar
- CV of Designated Mentor
Program contact
- 👤 Jamie Shortall Grant Officer
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-2393
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 apply for this award?
Early-career faculty (junior investigators) conducting kidney cancer research. You must have preliminary data supporting your research feasibility.
Do I need a mentor to apply?
Yes. You must identify and pair with a designated mentor who has strong kidney cancer funding and publication records.
What is the virtual academy experience like?
The academy provides intensive mentoring, networking with peers, collaborations, and career development. You'll work with your mentor, leadership, and patient advocates.
What kind of preliminary data do I need?
Data supporting your research feasibility and approaches. This data does not need to be from kidney cancer research specifically.
What is the total funding for this program?
The total funding pool is $2.4 million. Individual award amounts are not specified in the announcement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Select a mentor with proven kidney cancer research funding and publication success. This is critical to your competitiveness.
- Present preliminary data that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of your proposed research approach.
- Emphasize how your research advances the kidney cancer field and has potential for new patient treatments.
- Show how you will benefit from and contribute to the academy's collaborative network and peer community.
- Highlight your career trajectory in kidney cancer research and your commitment to the field long-term.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Pairing with a mentor lacking kidney cancer expertise or established funding record. Weak or missing preliminary data that doesn't support research feasibility. Failing to articulate the innovation and clinical impact of your research on kidney cancer treatment.
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