Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research & Development FY23-FY27 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT for Extramural Medical Research
Can you apply?
This grant is for extramural research and development projects supporting military and civilian medical advancement. Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, private companies, and nonprofit organizations with research capacity. Projects must focus on basic or applied research directed at advancing medical knowledge for service members and the general public. Geographic scope is national; applicants must submit pre-proposals through eBRAP and only invited applicants may submit full proposals through Grants.gov.
Program description
The USAMRDC’s mission is to provide solutions to medical problems of importance to the American Service Member at home and abroad, as well as to the general public at large. The scope of this effort and the priorities attached to specific projects are influenced by changes in military and civilian medical science and technology (S&T), operational requirements, military threat assessments, and national defense strategies. Extramural research and development programs play a vital role in the fulfillment of the objectives established by the USAMRDC. General information on the USAMRDC can be obtained at https://mrdc.health.mil/.
This BAA is intended to solicit extramural research and development ideas using the authority provided by 10 USC 4001. The BAA is issued under the provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-369), as implemented in FAR 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 and in Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs) 22.315. In accordance with FAR 35.016, projects funded under this BAA must be for basic and applied research to support scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on development of a specific system or hardware solution. Research and development funded through this BAA are intended and expected to benefit and inform both military and civilian medical practice and knowledge. This BAA utilizes competitive procedures in accordance with 10 USC 3012 for the selection for award of S&T proposals/applications. For the purposes of this BAA, S&T includes activities involving basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, and, under certain conditions, may include activities involving advanced component development and prototypes.
The selection process is highly competitive, and the quantity of meaningful submissions (both pre-proposals/pre-applications and full proposals/applications) received typically exceeds the number of awards that available funding can support.
This BAA provides a general description of USAMRDC’s research and development programs, including Research Areas of Interest, evaluation and selection criteria, pre-proposal/ pre-application and full proposal/application preparation instructions, and general administrative information. Specific submission information and additional administrative requirements can be found in the document titled, “General Submission Instructions,” which is available on Grants.gov along with this BAA.
The FY23-FY27 USAMRDC BAA is continuously open for a 5-year period, from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Submission of a pre-proposal/pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) (https://eBRAP.org/). Pre-proposals/pre-applications may be submitted at any time throughout the 5-year period. If the USAMRDC is interested in receiving a full proposal/application, the Principal Investigator will be sent an invitation to submit via eBRAP. A full proposal/application must be submitted through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/). Invited full proposals/applications can be submitted under this FY23-FY27 BAA through September 30, 2027.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Pre-proposal/pre-application (via eBRAP)
- Full proposal (via Grants.gov, if invited)
- General Submission Instructions document
- Budget justification (for full proposals)
- Organizational information and capabilities statement
Program contact
- 👤 Elena G Howell Grants Officer
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-6871
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
What types of organizations can apply?
Universities, research institutions, for-profit companies, and nonprofits with research capabilities can apply. You must be able to conduct research and submit through the required portals.
Is a pre-proposal required?
Yes, all applicants must submit a pre-proposal through eBRAP first. Only those invited by USAMRDC can submit full proposals through Grants.gov.
What research areas are eligible?
Basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development supporting military and civilian medical science are eligible. Focus on advancing knowledge rather than developing specific systems.
How competitive is this grant?
Highly competitive. The number of submissions typically exceeds available funding. Quality and alignment with USAMRDC priorities are critical.
When can I apply?
This BAA is continuously open October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027. Pre-proposals can be submitted at any time during this period.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a strong pre-proposal that clearly aligns your research with military or civilian medical needs. USAMRDC must invite you before you can submit a full proposal.
- Focus on advancing knowledge and understanding, not developing specific hardware or systems. The program prioritizes basic and applied research.
- Demonstrate how your research will benefit both military personnel and the broader civilian medical community.
- Use the eBRAP portal for pre-proposals and Grants.gov for full proposals. Ensure compliance with both systems and all submission requirements.
- Address operational requirements and national defense strategies in your proposal narrative. Show how your work solves real medical problems facing service members.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Pre-proposals fail when applicants submit before developing a strong research concept aligned with military medical priorities. Full proposals are rejected when applicants misunderstand the focus: basic/applied research, not hardware development. Weak proposals lack clear connection to service member or civilian medical needs.
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