DoW Prostate Cancer, Early Investigator Research Award
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career researchers pursuing prostate cancer research. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent and have fewer than three years of postdoctoral research experience as of the application deadline. Applicants must be guided by an experienced mentor with a track record in prostate cancer research and mentorship.
Research projects must address one of the FY26 PCRP Overarching Challenges. All applications require a researcher development plan outlining career growth strategy. Academic institutions, research centers, and medical facilities may serve as fiscal sponsors.
Key dates
- May 5, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 12, 2026 Application deadline in 91 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA) supports prostate cancer research conducted by investigators in the early stages of their careers with guidance from an experienced mentor. All applications must address one of the FY26 PCRP Overarching Challenges.
Distinctive Features:
· Early-Career Investigator: Serves as the principal investigator. Includes investigators possessing a doctoral degree or equivalent with fewer than three years of postdoctoral research experience at the application submission deadline, excluding clinical residency or clinical fellowship training.
· Mentorship: Applications must include at least one mentor who demonstrates experience in prostate cancer research and successful mentorship.
· Researcher Development Plan: Applications must include a researcher development plan articulating an individualized strategy for acquiring necessary skills, competence, and expertise to complete the project and foster the Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) career development
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal form)
- Project Narrative
- Researcher Development Plan
- Mentor biographical sketch and commitment letter
- Budget and budget narrative
- Institutional approvals (IRB/IACUC if applicable)
- Postdoctoral experience documentation
- Letters of support
Program contact
- 👤 eBRAP Help Desk Phone: 301-682-5507 Email: help@eBRAP.org
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-682-5507
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
Who can be the principal investigator?
Early-career investigators with a doctoral degree or equivalent and fewer than three years of postdoctoral research experience. Clinical residency and fellowship training time do not count toward the three-year limit.
Is mentorship required?
Yes. You must identify at least one mentor with demonstrated prostate cancer research experience and a history of successful mentorship. The mentor guides your career development.
What research areas are eligible?
Your project must address one of the FY26 PCRP Overarching Challenges. These specific challenge areas are defined by the program and available in their solicitation materials.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 12, 2026. This is a fixed deadline; submissions must arrive by the posted time.
What should the researcher development plan include?
Your plan should outline how you will acquire skills and expertise needed for the project. It should also demonstrate your strategy for career advancement in prostate cancer research.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure your mentor early. Ensure they have published evidence of prostate cancer expertise and successful mentorship of early-career researchers.
- Read the FY26 Overarching Challenges document carefully. Your entire project must directly address at least one identified challenge area.
- Develop a specific, personalized career plan. Vague professional development statements will weaken your application. Link it to the proposed research.
- Highlight your training gaps and how the mentor will help close them. Reviewers want to see concrete skill-building objectives.
- Submit well ahead of the September 12 deadline. Federal systems can experience delays; aim for at least one week early.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or unclear mentorship plan; failing to explicitly connect research to an Overarching Challenge. Vague researcher development plan lacking specific milestones or measurable outcomes. Exceeding early-career eligibility window by including clinical training time as postdoctoral experience.
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