CDMRP: Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) will fund innovative, high-impact research aimed at reducing risk, slowing progression, or easing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This is a pre-announcement, meaning you have time to prepare—but deadlines have not yet been released. Once funding opportunities are posted on Grants.gov, both pre-application and full application deadlines will be specified. Early preparation is critical to compete.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding depends on the award mechanism:
Early Investigator Research Award
Funding Level 1:
Up to $300,000 total costs
Period of performance: 2 years
Funding Level 2:
Up to $1,000,000 total costs
Period of performance: 2 years
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Up to $2,000,000 total costs
Period of performance: 3 years
Total costs include direct and indirect costs.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports Parkinson’s disease research aligned to one or more of the following focus areas:
Disease heterogeneity and its impact on progression and outcomes
Advanced in vitro model systems that reflect in vivo complexity
Biomarkers and biological mechanisms tied to unmet medical needs
Research addressing:
Non-motor symptoms (e.g., cognitive, sleep, psychiatric, pain)
Motor symptoms (e.g., tremor, gait, dyskinesia)
Development and testing of interventions, including:
Biological, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological approaches
Surgical and non-surgical devices
Non-invasive CNS stimulation
Projects may range from laboratory models to studies involving human participants, depending on the mechanism.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Opportunity to work within a Department of Defense-funded research program
Access to a program prioritizing clinically relevant, high-impact outcomes
Optional Partnering PI structure (Investigator-Initiated Research Award) to support collaboration between two investigators
Structured support for early-career researchers, including mentorship (for Funding Level 1)
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
This is a pre-announcement; application deadlines are not yet specified
Funding opportunity announcements will be posted on Grants.gov
A pre-application is required via eBRAP before full submission
Exact pre-application and full application deadlines will be included in the official announcements
Where does this funding come from?
FY26 Defense Appropriations Act
Managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Under the Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command (DHA R&D-MRDC)
Who is eligible to apply?
Early Investigator Research Award
Postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, or independent investigators within 10 years of degree or residency completion
Eligibility must be verified via an institutional statement
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Independent investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Competitive applications will:
Address one or more of the specified focus areas
Demonstrate high-impact potential and clinical relevance
Include:
Strong mentorship and career development (early investigators)
Preliminary data where required
Rigorous, multidisciplinary approaches (Investigator-Initiated Research Award)
Target unmet medical needs in Parkinson’s disease, especially across motor and non-motor symptoms
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Early Investigator Research Award
Clinical trials are not allowed
Mentorship is required for Funding Level 1
Preliminary data:
Not required for Level 1
Required for Level 2
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Preliminary data are required
Clinical trials are allowed
General
Pre-application submission via eBRAP is required
Applications must follow final instructions in the official funding announcements
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Not specified in the pre-announcement
However, the requirement for a pre-application and full application, along with preliminary data (for most mechanisms), indicates a moderate to high preparation effort
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support you by:
Interpreting the full funding announcement once released
Positioning your project against PRP focus areas and review criteria
Developing a compelling technical narrative and commercialization angle
Managing pre-application and full submission workflows
Supporting teaming strategies, including Partnering PI structures
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.