DoW Parkinson’s, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers investigating Parkinson's disease. Eligible applicants typically include academic institutions, research organizations, and other entities conducting rigorous research aligned with FY26 focus areas. Research must address at least one designated focus area. Preliminary data are required. Clinical trials are permitted. Investigators may apply individually or as a team with up to three PIs total (one Initiating PI and up to two Partnering PIs).
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports highly rigorous, multidisciplinary, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to Parkinson’s disease research. Research must address at least one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas.
Distinctive Features:
· Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: Allows for more than one PI. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other PI(s) will be identified as Partnering PI(s), with a maximum of two Partnering PIs.
· Preliminary data are required.
· Clinical trials are allowed.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application package (as specified in full announcement)
- Project narrative/research plan
- Preliminary data
- Budget and budget narrative
- Curriculum vitae(s) for all PIs
- Letters of support (if applicable)
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
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$2,265,729,366
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$800,631,761
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$74,531,880
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$67,205,571
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$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 serve as a Principal Investigator on this grant?
One Initiating PI leads the application. Up to two additional Partnering PIs may collaborate on the project. Each PI must meet standard research qualifications.
What research activities are supported?
Projects addressing FY26 PRP Focus Areas are eligible. Preliminary data are required. Clinical trials are allowed and encouraged.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is November 6, 2026. Plan submissions well in advance of this date.
What focus areas must my research address?
Your project must align with at least one of the four designated FY26 Parkinson's Research Program Focus Areas. Consult the full announcement for specific topics.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from your institution.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Include preliminary data demonstrating feasibility. Reviewers expect solid evidence your approach will work.
- If using multiple PIs, clarify roles early. Define which PI handles submissions and coordination tasks.
- Align your specific aims clearly with at least one FY26 Focus Area. Weak alignment is a common rejection reason.
- Budget realistically for multidisciplinary teams. Ensure resource allocation matches proposed team structure.
- Review the full program announcement for all four Focus Areas before finalizing your research direction.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without preliminary data demonstrating project feasibility. Failing to explicitly align research objectives with one of the four designated FY26 Focus Areas. Vague descriptions of PI roles when using the Partnering PI option, creating administrative confusion.
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