CDMRP: Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has released a pre-announcement for the FY26 Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP), outlining anticipated funding opportunities. This pre-announcement allows investigators to begin planning competitive proposals ahead of the formal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) that will be posted on Grants.gov. Applications will be required to address one or more OCRP priority areas, including novel therapies, early detection, quality of life/survivorship, prevention, and basic ovarian cancer biology. Deadlines for pre-applications and full applications will be provided in the FOAs once published.

How much funding would I receive?

Final funding levels and award amounts will be defined in the FY26 FOAs; estimates from similar past OCRP mechanisms include:

• Clinical Trial Award: Up to $2.8M total costs (max) over up to 4 years

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award: Up to $1.05M (single PI) or $1.4M (Partnering PI) over 4 years

• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: Up to $1.125M total costs over 4 years

• Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: Up to $1.4M total costs over 4 years

• Pilot Award: Up to $350,000 total costs over 2 years

These figures reflect anticipated ceilings based on FY25 mechanisms and are subject to confirmation in the FY26 FOAs.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports ovarian cancer research aligned with program priorities:

• Clinical trials and translational research

• Proof-of-concept through early phase studies with potential to impact patient care.

• High-impact investigator-driven research

• Basic through translational research (excluding clinical trials under certain mechanisms).

• Early-career investigator development and mentoring

• Interactive training academies for research and clinical trial skills.

• Innovation and preliminary discovery

• Pilot research to generate data for larger projects.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond funding, OCRP mechanisms like the Academy awards provide:

• Mentoring and networking opportunities for early-career researchers.

• Structured professional development through virtual academy experiences.

• Enhanced visibility within the ovarian cancer research community.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Application deadlines: Not yet published in the FY26 pre-announcement; FOAs with specific dates will be posted on Grants.gov once released.

• Pre-application & full application deadlines: Will be included in FOAs.

• Award start dates: After review and programmatic selection; typical NIH/DOD timing suggests awards may begin late in FY26 or early FY27, depending on FOA timelines.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act as part of the DoD’s CDMRP portfolio. OCRP is one of the congressionally directed research programs funded by federal appropriations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility typically aligns with CDMRP standards:

• Independent investigators (Assistant Professor level or equivalent and above) for most mechanisms.

• Early-career investigators for Academy awards (within defined years of training completion).

• Postdoctoral and clinical fellows for Pilot awards.

Specific eligibility criteria will be detailed in the FY26 FOAs.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive submissions will:

• Address one or more OCRP areas of emphasis (e.g., early detection, novel therapies, quality of life).

• Demonstrate clinical relevance or strong scientific rationale.

• Present clear pathways to impact ovarian cancer outcomes.

• Align with funding mechanism intent (e.g., ECI development for academy awards).

Projects with rigorous design, transformative potential, and relevance to patient populations are most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Examples based on past OCRP announcements:

• Some mechanisms do not support clinical trials (e.g., Investigator-Initiated Research Award, Pilot Award).

• Applicants may only receive one award per funding cycle from certain mechanisms.

• Pre-application submission is required before full application.

• Investigator eligibility windows apply for early-career awards.

Full restrictions will be in the FY26 FOAs.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time depends on mechanism, but investigators should plan for:

• 8–12 weeks to develop scientific aims, budgets, and letters.

• Additional time if data generation or collaborations are needed.

Starting now will position teams to respond quickly when FOAs are released.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Interpret OCRP priority areas and align research plans.

• Draft compelling proposals and strong scientific narratives.

• Coordinate submission timelines and compliance packages.

• Support budget and team planning for each mechanism.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.