CDMRP - Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The FY26 Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP), administered by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), is expected to fund multiple award mechanisms supporting innovative, high-impact neurofibromatosis (NF) and schwannomatosis research. The program is specifically focused on improving understanding, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life outcomes for people affected by NF and schwannomatosis, including Service Members, Veterans and their families.
This is currently a pre-announcement. The CDMRP states that funding opportunity announcements will be released on Grants.gov at a later date and will contain official pre-application and application deadlines. At this time, application deadlines are not specified. The program recommends investigators begin planning early.
How much funding would I receive?
The FY26 NFRP includes multiple anticipated award mechanisms with varying funding levels:
Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
Maximum allowable funding: $160,000 total costs
Maximum performance period: 2 years
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Maximum allowable funding: $525,000 total costs
Maximum performance period: 3 years
Applications using the Qualified Collaborator or NF Open Science Initiative options may request up to $575,000 total costs
Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Leadership Award
Maximum allowable funding: $2.4 million total costs
Maximum performance period: 4 years
Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Scholar Award
Maximum allowable funding: $1.2 million total costs
Maximum performance period: 4 years
Synergistic Idea Award
Maximum allowable funding: $3.2 million total costs
Maximum performance period: 3 years
Total costs include both direct and indirect costs.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended to support innovative and impactful neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis research projects.
Potential project areas include:
Schwannomatosis and NF2-related research
Biomarker and endpoint validation
Data science applications
Pain and cognitive manifestation research
Sleep-related NF research
Genomics, epigenetics and systems biology
Drug discovery and target identification
Preclinical efficacy studies
Nutritional and environmental modifiers of NF
Health services research
Specific award mechanisms also support:
Early-stage exploratory concepts
Multi-investigator collaborative projects
Early-career investigator development
Multi-institutional mentoring academies
Pilot research projects within academy structures
Clinical trials are not allowed under the listed award mechanisms.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Depending on the award mechanism, applicants may receive additional benefits such as:
Access to collaborative research partnerships
Participation in the NF Open Science Initiative
Intensive mentoring and career development
National networking opportunities
Participation in a virtual NF research academy
Access to NF Consumer Consultant Panels
Multi-institutional collaboration opportunities
The Neurofibromatosis Research Academy mechanisms are specifically designed to support mentorship, networking and long-term investigator development in the NF field.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
The CDMRP released this pre-announcement on April 22, 2026.
Application deadlines are not specified in the pre-announcement. The CDMRP states that official funding opportunity announcements will later be posted on Grants.gov and will include pre-application and application deadlines.
The program requires submission of a pre-application through eBRAP prior to full application submission.
Periods of performance vary by award mechanism:
2 years for Exploration-Hypothesis Development Awards
3 years for Investigator-Initiated Research Awards
4 years for Academy Leadership Awards
4 years for Academy Scholar Awards
3 years for Synergistic Idea Awards
The solicitation does not specify anticipated award start dates or funding disbursement timelines.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act through the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), managed within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command (DHA R&D-MRDC).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility depends on the award mechanism.
Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award:
Investigators at all career levels
Includes postdoctoral fellows or equivalent
Investigator-Initiated Research Award:
Investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent
Must commit a minimum of 10% effort throughout the award
Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Leadership Award:
Academy Director must be an established NF investigator at or above Associate Professor or equivalent
Academy Deputy Director must also be at or above Associate Professor level and affiliated with a different institution
Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Scholar Award:
Scholars must be early-career investigators within 10 years of terminal degree or clinical fellowship
Requires an eligible Career Guide who is an established NF investigator
Synergistic Idea Award:
Investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent
Additional eligibility requirements may be included in the final funding opportunity announcements.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
The NFRP is seeking projects that are:
Innovative and high-impact
Clinically relevant
Focused on improving patient outcomes
Addressing one or more stated Areas of Emphasis
Advancing understanding, diagnosis or treatment of NF and schwannomatosis
Competitive applications are likely to include:
Strong scientific rationale
Significant translational potential
Collaborative or multidisciplinary approaches
Novel technologies or methodologies
Preliminary and/or published data where required
Certain award mechanisms specifically encourage:
High-risk, high-gain concepts
Multi-investigator collaboration
Data science approaches
Open science participation
Mentorship and workforce development in NF research
The solicitation also emphasizes research that could benefit Service Members, Veterans and the broader public.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Yes. Key restrictions include:
Clinical trials are not allowed under the listed award mechanisms
Several award mechanisms require preliminary and/or published data
All applications require a pre-application submission through eBRAP before full application submission
Multiple award mechanisms require submission of a letter of intent prior to full application submission
Applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements posted on Grants.gov
The pre-announcement states that investigators should not construe the notice as an obligation or promise by the government.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Preparation timelines will vary significantly depending on the award mechanism.
Applicants pursuing:
Multi-institutional collaborations
Academy proposals
Large-scale synergistic projects
Open science options
should expect substantially longer preparation timelines due to coordination requirements, mentoring structures, collaborator commitments and supporting documentation.
Because all applications require pre-applications and several require letters of intent, applicants should begin planning before the official funding opportunity announcements are released.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support applicants with:
Opportunity assessment and award mechanism selection
Research strategy positioning
Commercialization and impact narrative development
Proposal writing and editing
Collaboration structuring
Project management and submission coordination
Budget development support
Grants.gov and eBRAP submission support
Reviewer-style proposal feedback
