DoW Melanoma Research Program Idea Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 28, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers interested in conducting innovative, exploratory melanoma research at early stages. Eligible applicants typically include academic research institutions, nonprofit research organizations, government labs, and for-profit entities. Investigators at institutions with an active Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval are preferred. The program targets high-risk/potentially high-reward projects with novelty as a key requirement.
Pre-application submission is required, and investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application before proceeding. This two-stage process aims to identify the most promising concepts early. Preliminary data are discouraged; the focus is on innovative ideas with proof-of-principle potential.
Award caps are set at $560,000 per project over a maximum 2-year period. This is an Army-administered program with roughly 10 awards expected from the $5.6M funding pool.
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Key dates
- May 21, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 14, 2026 Application deadline in 77 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Idea Award supports innovative, exploratory, high-risk/potentially high-reward research. Novelty and innovation are expected to be key aspects of the proposed project. By the end of the Idea Award funding period, the anticipated outcomes of successful efforts should establish proof of principle and obtain preliminary data to secure follow-on funding.
Distinctive Features:
• Preliminary data are discouraged.
• After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Pre-application (required to proceed)
- Full application (only if invited after pre-application review)
- Project narrative with innovation emphasis
- Budget and budget justification (capped at $560K total)
- Institutional commitments and IRB documentation
Program contact
- 👤 JoAnn Martin Grantor
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-2594
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
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$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$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 12 awards $107.3M
- 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 is eligible to apply for this melanoma research award?
Academic institutions, nonprofits, government labs, and for-profit entities conducting melanoma research are eligible. Investigators must work at institutions with active FWA and IRB approval.
Is preliminary data required?
No—preliminary data are actually discouraged. The program values innovative, high-risk ideas at early conceptual stages. Focus on proof-of-principle potential instead.
What is the application process?
A two-stage process applies. Submit a pre-application first, then await an invitation to submit a full application if your concept ranks competitively. Not all pre-applications receive invitations.
What funding levels are available?
Individual awards are capped at $560,000 total cost over a maximum 2-year project period. Roughly 10 awards are anticipated from the $5.6M pool.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is October 14, 2026. Awards must be made no later than September 30, 2027, and funds expire September 30, 2032.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize innovation and novelty in your concept. High-risk/high-reward ideas are the program's focus—avoid safe, incremental research.
- Do NOT include preliminary data. Reviewers want early-stage concepts with clear proof-of-principle objectives, not advanced studies.
- Design a concise 2-year project timeline. The short funding period and cap favor tightly scoped, focused research plans.
- Clearly articulate why your idea is high-risk. Explain the innovation and what makes it potentially transformative for melanoma research.
- Prepare for the pre-application gatekeeping. Only invited applicants advance; your pre-application must stand out conceptually to earn an invitation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often include preliminary data, which dilutes the focus on innovative concept. Reviewers want novel ideas at exploratory stages, not refined studies. Pre-applications lacking clear innovation or high-risk framing are rejected at gatekeeping. Projects with unfocused scope or timelines exceeding 2 years don't fit this mechanism.
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