DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers developing innovative concepts in rare cancer research. U.S. institutions and eligible organizations may apply, including universities, medical centers, research institutes, and nonprofit research organizations. The program supports early-stage, untested ideas with novel approaches to rare cancer investigation. No preliminary data are required; concept proposals must focus on innovation and new research directions.
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award (CA) supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. Applications must describe how the new idea will be innovative and present as a novel course of investigation in the field of rare cancers.
Distinctive Features:
- Preliminary data are not required.
- Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the Principal Investigator (PI), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the proposal Project Narrative, Supporting Documentations, Impact Statement, Justification Statement, and Statement of Work (SOW) is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application Form)
- Project Narrative
- Impact Statement
- Justification Statement
- Statement of Work (SOW)
- Supporting Documentation
- Budget and Budget Justification
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
-
$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$53,846,370
-
$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
- TX 8 awards $76.5M
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
Do I need preliminary data to apply?
No. This Concept Award specifically supports untested, innovative ideas without requiring prior research results.
Can I mention my institution or collaborators in the proposal?
No. The blind review process prohibits identifying the PI, collaborators, or organization. Doing so will result in administrative rejection.
What should I emphasize in my proposal?
Focus on the innovation and novelty of your concept. Explain how your idea represents a new course of investigation in rare cancers.
Who can submit applications?
U.S.-based research institutions, universities, medical centers, and eligible nonprofit organizations can apply.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 30, 2026. This is a fixed, non-rolling deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Remove all identifying information about yourself, your team, and your institution before submission. Use generic language throughout.
- Clearly articulate what makes your concept novel and distinct from existing rare cancer research approaches.
- Focus on the scientific innovation and potential impact rather than preliminary findings.
- Keep language accessible and avoid unnecessary jargon to improve clarity for a broad peer review panel.
- Submit well in advance of the September 30, 2026 deadline to allow time for corrections.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Identifying the PI, institution, or collaborators in the narrative results in automatic rejection. Failing to clearly explain the novel or innovative aspects of your concept weakens competitiveness. Submitting incomplete documentation or missing the fixed deadline eliminates your application.
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