DoW Pancreatic Cancer Research Program, Focused Pilot Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying pancreatic cancer and seeking early-stage project funding. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, medical centers, research organizations, and biotech companies with appropriate federal research credentials. Projects must be based in the United States and focus on pancreatic cancer research aligned with DoD priorities. Applicants must have an institutional affiliation and relevant research infrastructure to conduct the proposed work.
The grant supports innovative, focused pilot projects that address gaps in pancreatic cancer research. Institutions must comply with federal regulations governing human subjects research, animal care, and biosafety. A designated grants administrator at your institution will manage compliance and reporting requirements.
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Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) Focused Pilot Award supports the exploration and development of impactful and innovative concepts under a patient-centered focus area of pancreatic cancer research that could ultimately lead to major advancements that will have a profound effect on patients’ overall quality of life. The research this award supports should strive to produce robust preliminary data that can serve as a foundation for future clinical or real-world research application.
Distinctive Features: This award mechanism allows, but does not require, preliminary data. Applications can support clinical research studies; however, this mechanism does not allow clinical trials. Preclinical animal studies do not meet the intent of this mechanism.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- DoD/Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Form 1451
- Research and Related (R&R) SF-424 (federal forms)
- Project Narrative and Research Strategy
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Approval (if applicable)
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Approval (if applicable)
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval or documentation of human subjects review plans
- Letters of Support from collaborators
- Biographical Sketches of key personnel
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
-
$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 can apply for this award?
Academic medical centers, universities, research institutes, and industry researchers with institutional affiliation. Applicants must have federal research credentials and comply with institutional review board requirements.
What is the application deadline?
The application opens May 4, 2026 and closes October 7, 2026. Plan to submit 4-6 weeks before the deadline to allow for institutional routing.
What types of pancreatic cancer research are supported?
Pilot projects addressing research gaps in pancreatic cancer. Focus areas typically include basic science, translational research, and clinical investigation aligned with DoD priorities.
How competitive is this grant?
DoD pilot awards are moderately to highly competitive. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and experienced research teams increase competitiveness significantly.
What is the typical funding range?
Pilot awards typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 for 1-2 year projects. Check the agency solicitation for exact allowable budget limits.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with preliminary data showing feasibility of your approach. Reviewers want evidence the project can succeed in the proposed timeline.
- Align your research question directly to DoD research priorities listed in the solicitation. Generic pancreatic cancer research may not score well.
- Emphasize innovation and how your pilot work addresses a specific gap in existing knowledge. Explain why this project is timely now.
- Build in collaboration with clinicians or industry partners if applicable. Translational potential strengthens pilot project proposals.
- Use clear, simple language in your research narrative. Avoid jargon and explain the significance of your findings for patient outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting a full-scale research proposal instead of a focused pilot. DoD pilot awards reward feasibility studies, not comprehensive research programs.
Failing to align the project to DoD research strategy and priorities listed in the solicitation. Generic pancreatic cancer research without DoD context gets lower scores.
Inadequate preliminary data or unrealistic timelines for a 1-2 year pilot project. Reviewers must believe the work is achievable within the award period.
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