DoW Reconstructive Transplant, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 6, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions conducting investigator-initiated studies in reconstructive transplant research. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, research institutions, hospitals, and individual investigators with appropriate institutional affiliation. Projects must demonstrate military relevance and address the health care needs of military Service Members, Veterans, or their family members and caregivers.
All research phases are supported, from basic science through clinical research (excluding clinical trials). Applicants must provide preliminary or published data supporting the proposed research. Strong institutional research capabilities and IRB/IACUC approvals are typically required.
Military collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory. The research must have potential for significant impact on reconstructive transplant outcomes or quality of life.
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Key dates
- Aug 26, 2026 Applications open
- Nov 4, 2026 Application deadline in 58 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (detailed research proposal)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Preliminary Data (published or unpublished supporting materials)
- Institutional Certifications and Assurances
- IRB/IACUC Approval or documentation of pending review
Program contact
- 👤 eBRAP Help Desk
- 📧 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
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$2,265,729,366
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$800,631,761
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$77,591,450
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$74,531,880
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$55,443,120
-
$34,191,124
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$24,783,894
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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 13 awards $114.4M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- MA 8 awards $83.2M
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?
Academic institutions, research centers, hospitals, and individual investigators with appropriate affiliation typically qualify. Your institution must have capacity to manage federal funding and conduct the proposed research.
What types of research are supported?
Basic science, translational, and clinical research are eligible. However, clinical trials are not supported. Projects must address military-relevant reconstructive transplant research.
Is preliminary data required?
Yes. Preliminary and/or published data relevant to reconstructive transplantation must be included. This strengthens the scientific rationale and feasibility of your proposal.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong scientific rigor, clear military relevance, rigorous study design with statistical power analysis, preliminary data, and potential for significant field impact are critical. Alignment with FY26 RTRP focus areas is advantageous.
What is the deadline and typical timeline?
The deadline is fixed at November 4, 2026. Review and award timelines vary. Check the full program announcement for any rolling deadlines or optional pre-submission milestones.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate military relevance early. Explain how your research benefits Service Members, Veterans, or their families. Vague military connections will weaken your proposal.
- Include robust preliminary data. This demonstrates feasibility and justifies the proposed approach. Weak preliminary data is a common red flag for reviewers.
- Design a rigorous, reproducible study. Include detailed statistical power analysis and control for key variables. Poor study design is frequently cited in rejections.
- Address at least one of the FY26 RTRP focus areas explicitly. Alignment with program priorities significantly strengthens competitiveness.
- Build relationships with military researchers and clinicians when possible. Collaboration signals understanding of real-world military medical needs and increases impact potential.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting proposals without strong preliminary data or clear military relevance to Service Members and Veterans. Proposing clinical trials, which are explicitly excluded from this award. Providing weak or absent statistical power analysis and study design justification.
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