DoW Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 12, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers proposing breast cancer research with breakthrough potential. Applicants must conduct research addressing at least one of the FY26 Breast Cancer Research Program overarching challenges. Single Principal Investigators or two partnering PIs may apply. The program supports multiple funding levels designed for different research stages leading to clinical application.
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Key dates
- Aug 20, 2026 Applications open
- Nov 18, 2026 Application deadline in 66 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award mechanism supports promising research with high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Applications must address the challenge in a way that can lead to a breakthrough and have major impact. The FY26 Breakthrough Award mechanism contains four different funding levels designed to support major (but not all) stages of research that will lead to clinical application. Each level specifies a distinct research scope. This program announcement discusses the Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2.
Distinctive Features:
* This funding mechanism allows for applications submitted under Funding Level 1 or Funding Level 2. Funding Level 2 also includes a Population Science Studies option. With compelling justification, population science studies may request higher levels of funding and an additional year in the period of performance.
* This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative/Research Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of PI(s)
- References Cited
- Supporting Documents (letters of support, institutional commitments if applicable)
- Pre-application (required before full application)
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
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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
-
$24,783,894
-
$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$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 9 awards $90.0M
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?
Single PIs or two partnering PIs (Initiating PI and Partnering PI) can apply. Both PIs must submit applications at the full application stage.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is November 18, 2026. Pre-applications and full applications follow a two-stage review process.
What research topics are supported?
Applications must address at least one FY26 BCRP overarching challenge with potential for major breakthrough impact. Population science studies are supported under Funding Level 2.
How competitive is this award?
This is a highly competitive mechanism. Your research must demonstrate clear breakthrough potential and significant clinical impact to be competitive.
What are the funding levels?
Levels 1 and 2 are discussed in this announcement. Level 2 includes a population science studies option that may request higher funding and extended project periods with justification.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your research addresses one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide strong justification for an exception.
- Emphasize breakthrough potential and major impact; incremental research is less competitive for this mechanism.
- If using the Partnering PI Option, ensure both PIs submit complete applications by the deadline to avoid administrative withdrawal.
- For population science studies under Level 2, provide compelling justification if requesting higher funding or extended timeline.
- Consult the full FY26 BCRP solicitation to understand all overarching challenges and tailor your proposal accordingly.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail to clearly address overarching challenges or lack breakthrough/major impact justification. Partnering PI applications are administratively withdrawn when both PIs don't submit by deadline. Incremental improvements to existing research don't meet the breakthrough award standard.
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