CDMRP: Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
This is a pre-announcement for the FY26 Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP), signaling upcoming funding opportunities but no application deadline is provided at this stage. Founders and researchers should begin planning now, as future funding opportunity announcements will include required pre-application and full application deadlines once released on Grants.gov.
The program will fund high-impact research with clinical relevance focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions related to military-related toxic exposures. Awards span clinical trials, translational research, and investigator-initiated studies.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding depends on the award mechanism:
Clinical Trial Award
Up to $4.5 million total costs
Maximum 4 years
Translational Research Award
Up to $1.5M total costs
Maximum 3 years
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Up to $800,000 total costs
Maximum 3 years
Total costs include direct and indirect costs.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports research aligned with at least one program goal:
Predict and prevent
Monitoring and prevention strategies
Risk factor identification
Multigenerational and reproductive effects
Exposure tracking technologies
Diagnose
Biomarkers and diagnostics
Disease progression understanding
Multi-exposure and stressor interactions
Treat
Therapeutics and interventions
Preclinical models (non-clinical trial mechanisms only)
Strategies to reduce symptoms and disease progression
Projects must also address at least one topic area:
Neurotoxin Exposure
Gulf War Illness and Its Treatment
Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits
Other military-related toxic exposures (e.g., pesticides, organophosphates, metals)
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Partnering PI option available for Clinical Trial and Translational Research Awards (two PIs, separate awards)
Strong encouragement for:
Collaboration with military and/or VA researchers and clinicians
Inclusion of a clinician on the team
Participation of a military or Veteran consumer (required/encouraged depending on mechanism)
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
This is a pre-announcement
Application deadlines are not specified
Future funding opportunity announcements will include:
Pre-application (required) via eBRAP
Full application (by invitation only)
Additional timing details:
Clinical trials are expected to begin within 12 to 18 months of the award date
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?
Independent investigators at all career levels
No additional eligibility restrictions are specified.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Projects that:
Address at least one program goal and one topic area
Demonstrate clinical relevance and impact on patient outcomes
Include preliminary data (required across all mechanisms)
Align with:
Prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of toxic exposure effects
Incorporate:
Collaboration with military/VA stakeholders
Clinical expertise
Consumer (Veteran/military) input where encouraged
Clinical Trial Awards specifically favor:
Trials ready for rapid implementation
Studies evaluating products, drugs, biologics, devices, or clinical approaches
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Preproposal is required; full application is by invitation only
All applications must include preliminary data
Mechanism-specific restrictions:
Clinical Trial Award
Must include a clinical trial
Cannot include preclinical studies (including animal research)
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Cannot include clinical trials
Translational Research Award
Cannot include clinical trials
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Not specified in the pre-announcement.
However:
A pre-application is required first, followed by an invited full application
Investigators are encouraged to begin planning now due to the staged process
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support you by:
Interpreting TERP priorities and aligning your project to program goals and topic areas
Structuring a competitive preproposal to secure invitation
Developing a full application strategy grounded in clinical impact and reviewer expectations
Positioning collaborations with military, VA, and clinical stakeholders
Ensuring compliance with CDMRP and eBRAP submission requirements
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.