DoW Kidney Cancer, Idea Development Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers developing novel ideas in kidney cancer research. Applicants must have a strong background in kidney cancer research and a well-formulated, testable hypothesis. The program supports individual Principal Investigators or partnerships between two investigators on a single project.
U.S. institutions and researchers are eligible, including those at academic medical centers, universities, and research organizations. Both early-career and established investigators may apply.
Funding supports basic, translational, and clinical research that advances understanding of kidney cancer. Activities include hypothesis-driven research with potential to improve patient outcomes.
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) supports the development of high-impact ideas that advance the understanding of kidney cancer and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. The research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and a well-developed and articulated research approach. Personnel on the proposed team should have a strong background in kidney cancer research.
Distinctive Features:
· Partnering Principal Investigator Option: Supports meaningful and productive partnerships between two investigators, termed the Initiating Principal Investigator (PI) and Partnering PI, collaborating on a single application. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Defense Health Agency Application Form (or equivalent federal form)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of all PIs and key personnel
- Letters of Institutional Support
- Pre-application (if required by program)
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
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$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 be a Principal Investigator on this award?
Researchers with strong kidney cancer research backgrounds. Both individual PIs and partnerships (Initiating PI and Partnering PI) are supported.
What is the Partnering Principal Investigator option?
Two investigators can collaborate on one application. Only the Initiating PI submits a pre-application, but both PIs submit full applications. The Partnering PI submits an abbreviated package for their portion.
What type of research does this award support?
High-impact kidney cancer research with testable hypotheses and strong scientific rationale. Basic, translational, and clinical approaches are eligible.
Is there a deadline for applications?
The deadline is September 28, 2026 (fixed). Check the Defense Health Agency website for pre-application submission windows.
What happens if one PI's application is rejected?
All associated applications for that research project may be withdrawn, including both the Initiating and Partnering PI submissions.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Develop a well-formulated, testable hypothesis grounded in strong scientific rationale before writing.
- If partnering with another PI, clarify each investigator's distinct contributions and ensure complementary expertise.
- Demonstrate your team's strong background in kidney cancer research with specific examples and publications.
- Design a research approach that is clear, feasible, and likely to advance understanding of kidney cancer.
- Review the pre-application requirements carefully; rejection at pre-application stage means the full application is not reviewed.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing a hypothesis without sufficient preliminary data or scientific rationale. Vague descriptions of the research approach or unclear roles of partnering investigators. Team lacking demonstrated expertise in kidney cancer research.
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