CDMRP: Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Pre-Announcement invites investigators to prepare for upcoming funding opportunities for innovative, high-impact cancer research that supports military health and mission readiness. Final Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) with deadlines will be posted on Grants.gov; investigators should begin planning now. The deadline for application submissions is not yet specified in this pre-announcement.
How much funding would I receive?
Maximum allowable funding varies by award mechanism as anticipated for FY26:
Clinical Trial Award: up to $4.5 M total costs
Idea Award: up to $600,000 total costs
Impact Award: up to $1.5 M (single PI) or $2 M (Partnering PI)
Note: These are maximums; actual amounts depend on the final FOA.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports:
Clinical trials that advance preclinical research and improve cancer care.
Innovative basic research that may introduce new paradigms (Idea Award).
Mature, high-impact hypothesis-driven research with potential near-term impact.
Applications must address one of the PRCRP topic areas and at least one Military Health Focus Area related to environmental exposures, mission readiness, and gaps in prevention, detection, treatment, or survivorship.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Alignment with congressional priorities for military health and cancer research.
Inclusion in the CDMRP funding ecosystem with access to eBRAP pre-application processes and NIH/Grants.gov submission systems.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Application deadlines: Not yet specified (will be in final FOAs on Grants.gov).
Investigators must first submit a pre-proposal via eBRAP before full application.
Final FOAs will define all submission dates once released.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided by the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, managed by the Defense Health Agency Research and Development, Medical Research and Development Command.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility varies by mechanism but generally includes independent investigators at all career stages. For Idea Awards, the Early-Career Investigator option is open to those within 7 years of last training and below associate professor rank. Exact institutional eligibility requirements will be in the final FOA.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Applications that:
Address at least one FY26 PRCRP Topic Area not covered by other CDMRP cancer programs.
Clearly relate proposed work to military health, mission readiness, and beneficiary cancer needs.
Demonstrate scientific merit, innovation/potential impact, and relevance to program goals.
Projects bridging gaps in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, quality of life, or survivorship in military populations will be competitive.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Final FOAs will specify complete eligibility, topic focus, budget limits, and submission requirements.
Pre-announcement does not guarantee funding; investigators must wait for formal FOAs on Grants.gov.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Preparation time depends on the mechanism:
Clinical trials need completed preclinical data and IND/IDE submissions before application.
Idea and Impact Award proposals require scientific groundwork and alignment with topic areas.
Plan several weeks to months for strategy, pre-proposal, and full application drafts once FOAs are released.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Interpret final FOAs and clarify topic areas.
Craft compelling research narratives tied to military health priorities.
Assist with budgeting, required forms, and eBRAP/Grants.gov submissions.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.