DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Clinical Trial Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 3, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions conducting clinical trials on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions affecting military populations. Researchers must have preliminary data and include community-based participatory research approaches. Research institutions, universities, and medical centers with clinical trial infrastructure can apply. The award supports proof-of-principle pilots, Phase 1-2 trials (Research Level 1), and larger Phase 3 trials (Research Level 2) testing drugs, devices, diagnostics, therapies, or behavioral interventions. Early-career investigators may partner with experienced PIs.
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Key dates
- May 21, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 15, 2026 Application deadline in 41 days
- Sep 30, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) intends to support clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on psychological health conditions and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) through clinical applications, including health care products, technologies and/or practice guidelines.
Distinctive Features: Funding from this award mechanism must support a clinical trial.
· Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate a wide range of interventions, including new drugs, biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, therapies and behavioral health strategies.
· Preliminary data are required.
· The inclusion of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches is required.
· The CTA offers funding for two Research Levels. The applicant is responsible for selecting the Research Level based on the scope of the research.
○ Research Level 1: Supports proof-of-principle pilot studies, as well as phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials.
○ Research Level 2: Supports larger-scale and advanced clinical trials that evaluate effectiveness in relevant patient populations.
· Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option (available for both Research Levels): This option accommodates two Principal Investigators (PIs), one of which is an Early-Career Investigator. If recommended for funding, each PI will receive a separate award.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (OMB standard form)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Preliminary Data section
- Community-Based Participatory Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches (all PIs)
- Letters of Institutional Support
Program contact
- 👤 Teresa M Parker-Reeser Grants Officer
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 3016192171
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
-
$800,631,761
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$77,591,450
-
$74,531,880
-
$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?
Research institutions, universities, medical centers, and VA facilities can apply. You must have preliminary data and plan to conduct a clinical trial focused on TBI or psychological health.
What is the main requirement for this grant?
Your project must be a clinical trial with community-based participatory research components. Preliminary data supporting your trial design is required.
What types of interventions can the clinical trial test?
Trials can evaluate new drugs, biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, therapies, or behavioral health strategies for TBI and psychological health conditions.
What are the two Research Levels?
Level 1 supports pilot studies and Phase 1-2 trials. Level 2 supports larger Phase 3 trials evaluating effectiveness in patient populations.
Can early-career investigators apply?
Yes. Early-career investigators can partner with experienced PIs and each will receive a separate award if funded.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your preliminary data directly supports your proposed trial design and research questions. Weak preliminary data is a common rejection reason.
- Build community-based participatory research into your study design from the start. Show how patients or communities will be engaged.
- Choose the appropriate Research Level carefully. Level 1 is for early-stage trials; Level 2 is for definitive studies with larger populations.
- Include a realistic timeline and budget that matches your clinical trial scope. Underestimated timelines are frequently cited issues.
- Consider the Early-Career Investigator option if you have a promising early-career researcher. Mentorship structures strengthen these applications.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or insufficient preliminary data supporting trial feasibility. Applications without strong community partnership plans or CBPR integration get rejected. Misaligned Research Level selection (e.g., proposing complex Phase 3 work under Level 1 funding).
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