CDMRP: Melanoma Research Program (MRP)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) released a pre-announcement for anticipated FY26 Melanoma Research Program (MRP) funding opportunities. This notice signals that new award mechanisms and funding will be forthcoming, but the application deadlines are not yet specified; they will be published in the formal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on Grants.gov and eBRAP once available.
How much funding would I receive?
Idea Award: Maximum total costs up to $560,000 (period up to 2 years).
Melanoma Academy Scholar Award: Maximum total costs up to $770,000 (period up to 3 years).
Team Science Award: Maximum total costs up to $2.1 million (period up to 3 years).
Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas: Maximum total costs up to $2.8 million (period up to 4 years).
Survivorship Research Award: Maximum total costs up to $1.015 million (period up to 3 years).
What could I use the funding for?
All awards must address one or more of the FY26 MRP focus areas:
Identify, understand, and mitigate melanoma risk factors and develop biomarkers.
Develop detection/diagnosis technologies that improve risk stratification.
Define mechanisms of initiation, response/resistance to therapy, progression, recurrence, metastasis.
Develop new preclinical models representing disease evolution (cutaneous and rare subtypes).
Address unmet needs across cancer research spectrum for rare melanomas.
Address psychological/social impacts, quality of life, treatment toxicities, and survivorship issues.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Melanoma Academy Scholar Award includes mentoring, national networking, and structured career support.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
The pre-announcement is available now (released February 18, 2026); full FOAs will be released later on Grants.gov.
Exact pre-application and application deadlines will be specified in those FOAs—not yet provided in the pre-announcement.
Funding start dates will depend on the FOA timeline and award negotiations—not specified in the pre-announcement.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and administered by the Defense Health Agency Research and Development / Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC) under the CDMRP.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility for each award mechanism is defined in the full FOA. From the pre-announcement:
Idea Award: Investigators at or above the postdoctoral level (or equivalent).
Melanoma Academy Scholar Award: Investigators within 7 years of first faculty appointment.
Team Science Award: Independent investigators (Assistant Professor level or equivalent).
Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas: Initiating PI at Associate Professor level or equivalent; Partnering PIs at Assistant Professor level or above.
Survivorship Research Award: Independent investigators (Assistant Professor level or equivalent).
Detailed eligibility criteria (organization types, citizenship, cost share, etc.) will be in the FOA—not specified in the pre-announcement.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Not specified in the pre-announcement; CDMRP typically funds high-risk, high-gain research that aligns tightly with the listed focus areas and relevance to melanoma biology, detection, survivorship, and unmet clinical needs. Projects that integrate multidisciplinary approaches or include military/VA relevance are typically competitive, but the solicitation does not provide explicit criteria.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
The pre-announcement states that submission does not guarantee FOAs or funding.
All applications must adhere to the final FOA instructions on Grants.gov when released.
Preliminary data expectations, animal or human subjects requirements, and allowable costs will be defined in the FOA—not yet specified here.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Not specified in the pre-announcement because deadlines are not yet posted. Generally, planning should begin now given the complexity of CDMRP submissions and required pre-applications (e.g., eBRAP).
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Monitor the release of the official FOA and deadlines.
Translate the FOA into a targeted application strategy.
Help craft compelling project narrative, budget, and compliance sections.
Provide review, editing, and submission support to maximize competitiveness.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.