Request for Information (RFI) Special Notice DARPA-SN-26-96 Advancing Autonomous Science for Biological Applications DARPA BTO

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

Executive Summary:

Application deadline: July 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technology Office (BTO)—not a funding opportunity or solicitation for proposals. DARPA is seeking input from the scientific and technical community on the current state of autonomous science for biological applications, key technical challenges, and future investment opportunities that could inform future DARPA programs. Organizations with expertise in autonomous science, AI, robotics, laboratory automation, and related technologies should consider submitting a response before July 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to help shape potential future research initiatives.

How much funding would I receive?

This RFI does not provide funding. Award amounts, contract values, or grant funding are not specified because this is an information-gathering request rather than a solicitation for proposals. This information can be used to apply to the DARPA BTO Broad Agency Announcement for awards under $2 million.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

Responses should address Informatics Technologies, Physical Technologies, or Both Informatics and Physical Technologies for autonomous science. In each case, a response must address at least one of the following research areas:

1. Current state of the art of autonomous science and transformational enabling technologies to advance that state of the art

• Key existing enabling technologies broadly transferrable across scientific workflows.

• Technologies in development that will be transformational in enabling autonomous science.

• Metrics of success for judging the current state of the art and emerging technologies to surpass it (e.g., throughput, reproducibility, power usage, continuous runtime, cost per assay, etc.).

2. Key technical, organizational, or operational bottlenecks in deploying autonomous science at scale or in new domains

• Challenges to enabling rapid development and exchange of new autonomous workflows, including equipment or assays that provide unique challenges to automation.

• Challenges to interoperability between laboratories and the exchange of data and protocols.

• Measures of success in promoting more efficient, effective, and portable workflow development.

3. Application areas in which new investments could have the greatest impact and best demonstrate the unique advantages of autonomous science to solve problems not amenable to conventional approaches

• Problems of national interest where autonomous science can achieve results infeasible via conventional science, including specific applications for national security.

• Enabling technologies available or emerging to achieve those results.

• Metrics for establishing improvement over conventional approaches.

• Current commercialization strategies and business cases for future development of autonomous science.

4. Safety and security considerations in the operation of highly automated laboratories and ways these might be addressed, for example through simulation, AI digital twins, or formal verification

• Risks to safety and security in the operation of autonomous laboratories.

• Current safeguards, system-level security, traceability, and other approaches to biosecurity.

• Enabling technologies to resolve these risks.

• Measures of success for safe operation.

5. New technologies, opportunities, and challenges for maximizing productive interaction between human operators and autonomous agents in hybrid human-AI workflows

• Applications of national interest that can be achieved only by humans augmented by autonomous scientific facilities.

• Key barriers to productive interaction between human scientists and autonomous laboratories or their AI agents.

• Enabling technologies to overcome these barriers.

• Metrics of success demonstrating the advancement of human-machine partnering over unassisted human or purely autonomous systems.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Submitting a response gives organizations an opportunity to:

• Provide input that may influence future DARPA program development.

• Share perspectives on the current state of autonomous science in biological domains.

• Highlight emerging technologies, technical challenges, commercialization strategies, and national security applications.

Entities that have not previously worked with DARPA are also encouraged to engage with DARPAConnect, which offers educational resources, one-on-one guidance, and outreach to help organizations understand how to engage with DARPA.

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

Response deadline: July 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Responses must be submitted electronically in PDF format to AutoSci-RFI@darpa.mil.

There is no funding timeline because this is an RFI rather than a funding opportunity. DARPA states that responses may be used to inform future program development, but no subsequent solicitation schedule is provided.

Where does this funding come from?

This RFI was issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Biological Technology Office (BTO).

Because this is an RFI, no funding source or funding program is specified.

Who is eligible to apply?

DARPA welcomes responses from all capable sources, including but not limited to:

• Private companies

• Public companies

• Individuals

• Universities

• University-affiliated research centers

• Not-for-profit research institutions

• U.S. Government-sponsored laboratories

Who is not eligible to apply?

The RFI does not specify any excluded applicant categories.

However:

• Classified information must not be submitted.

• DARPA encourages submission of non-proprietary information, and proprietary information must be clearly marked if included.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

This is not a competitive funding opportunity, so there are no awards or winners.

DARPA is seeking responses addressing one or more research areas related to autonomous science, including:

• State-of-the-art autonomous science technologies

• Technical, organizational, and operational bottlenecks

• High-impact application areas

• Safety and security for autonomous laboratories

• Human-autonomous system collaboration

Responses may focus on:

• Informatics Technologies

• Physical Technologies

• Both Informatics and Physical Technologies

How competitive will this solicitation be?

DARPA states that this RFI is issued solely for information and program planning purposes and does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts. Responses are voluntary and will not result in a contract or funding.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key submission requirements include:

• Responses are limited to 7 pages maximum using 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and standard letter-sized pages.

• Responses must be submitted as an unprotected Microsoft Word document or PDF.

• Classified information must not be included.

• Proprietary information must be clearly labeled.

• DARPA will not reimburse response preparation costs.

• Responses are voluntary.

• Proposal abstracts or formal proposals submitted in response to this RFI will be disregarded.

• DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge or provide feedback on submissions.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Responses must include:

• A one-page cover page

• Up to three pages describing the technical approach

• One page of references

• Optional summary slides

Organizations should also identify which technology category and research area(s) their response addresses.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help organizations prepare a concise, DARPA-ready RFI response by:

• Aligning your response with DARPA's requested research areas.

• Clearly articulating technical capabilities, challenges, and proposed solutions.

• Developing commercialization and national security narratives where supported by your technical work.

• Ensuring compliance with formatting, page limits, and submission requirements.

• Producing a polished submission designed to communicate your organization's expertise effectively.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: FY26 Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP) Concept Award supports highly innovative, high-risk research that could open new directions in reconstructive transplantation. The program is designed to fund new concepts and untested theories rather than incremental advances to existing work. Projects must address at least one FY26 RTRP Focus Area and be relevant to improving outcomes for catastrophically injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, caregivers, clinicians, and the American public. Clinical trials are not allowed.

This is a relatively small, early-stage funding opportunity intended to help researchers generate foundational insights that could lead to future development and larger follow-on efforts. The Defense Health Agency expects to fund approximately three awards. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET, September 16, 2026. Organizations interested in applying should begin preparing immediately because a required Letter of Intent must be submitted first by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 2, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Applicants may request up to $200,000 in total costs for the entire project period. The maximum period of performance is 18 months.

The FY26 RTRP expects to allocate approximately $0.6 million to fund approximately three Concept Award applications.

Cost sharing is not required.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is intended to support highly innovative research addressing important problems in reconstructive transplantation and vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). The award specifically supports exploration of new concepts and untested theories rather than continuation of established research programs.

Projects must address at least one of the following FY26 RTRP Focus Areas:

• Improve or optimize VCA immunosuppression.

• Identify and/or validate prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers, methods, or tools for monitoring VCA graft rejection and immunosuppression.

• Advance VCA preservation strategies.

• Develop tools for measuring VCA outcomes, including performance-based, patient-reported, and neurocognitive outcomes.

Allowable costs may include:

• Research activities supporting the proposed project.

• Travel supporting multi-institutional collaborations.

• Travel for one investigator to present project findings at one scientific or technical meeting per year.

• Required travel for the Principal Investigator to present results at one Department of War-sponsored meeting during the award period.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to funding, awardees gain the opportunity to conduct research within a Department of Defense-funded program focused on advancing reconstructive transplantation and improving outcomes for catastrophically injured Service Members and Veterans.

Award recipients may also be invited to present project progress at annual RTRP In-Progress Review meetings.

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

Key dates include:

• Letter of Intent deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 2, 2026

• Full application deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, September 16, 2026

• End of application verification period: 5:00 p.m. ET, September 21, 2026

• Peer review: November 2026

• Programmatic review: January 2027

Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Where does this funding come from?

This funding opportunity is offered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) and managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) as part of the Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP).

Congress initiated the RTRP in 2012 to support research that refines reconstructive transplantation approaches and expands access to reconstructive transplants and immunotherapy. The FY26 appropriation for the RTRP is $12 million.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicant organizations include:

• Extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War organizations.

• Foreign organizations.

• Domestic organizations.

• For-profit organizations.

• Nonprofit organizations.

• Public entities.

• Private entities.

Eligible Principal Investigators include:

• Investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow.

• Investigators affiliated with an eligible organization.

• Investigators regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status.

• Investigators from academic or non-academic organizations.

An investigator may serve as PI on no more than two FY26 RTRP Concept Award applications.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation states that:

• Individuals cannot receive awards directly because awards are made to organizations.

• Investigators below the level of postdoctoral fellow are not eligible to serve as PI.

• Investigators serving as PI on more than two FY26 RTRP Concept Award applications are not eligible beyond the first two submissions received.

Applications may also be administratively withdrawn if:

• A clinical trial is proposed.

• Human subjects or specimen studies do not qualify for exempt or expedited review.

• The PI does not meet eligibility requirements.

• Required pre-application materials are not submitted.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The program is seeking projects that are:

• Highly innovative.

• High-risk with the potential to reveal new avenues of investigation.

• Focused on at least one FY26 RTRP Focus Area.

• Relevant to military health and catastrophic injury recovery.

• Supported by a strong scientific rationale despite the absence of preliminary data.

• Designed with rigorous and reproducible research methods.

Applications leveraging findings from solid organ transplantation for testing in VCA may be competitive when the rationale and potential benefits are clearly justified.

The review criteria place the greatest emphasis on:

1. Innovation

2. Relevance

3. Research Strategy and Feasibility

4. Personnel

5. Transition Plan

6. Research Sharing Plan

7. Budget

8. Environment

9. Application Presentation

How competitive will this solicitation be?

This appears to be a highly competitive opportunity.

The program expects to fund approximately three awards from a total funding pool of approximately $0.6 million.

The solicitation also notes that since FY15, the RTRP Concept Award mechanism has received 196 applications, with 26 recommended for funding.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Clinical trials are not allowed.

• Preliminary data cannot be included.

• Research involving human subjects or specimens must qualify for exempt status or expedited review.

• Projects involving painful research using domestic cats or dogs are not supported except for studies relating to military or service animals.

• Classified research data or research likely to generate classified outcomes may result in withdrawal.

• Duplicate submissions of the same research project within the RTRP during the same fiscal year are prohibited.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The application process includes both:

1. A required Letter of Intent submission.

2. A full application package.

The solicitation does not specify how long preparation will take. However, applicants must prepare multiple application components, including a Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Innovation Statement, Post-Award Transition Plan, budget materials, supporting documentation, and other required forms.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help your team:

• Evaluate whether your concept aligns with one or more FY26 RTRP Focus Areas.

• Position your project around the program’s primary review criteria, particularly innovation and military relevance.

• Develop a compliant Letter of Intent and full application package.

• Build a compelling research strategy and transition plan.

• Prepare budgets, supporting documentation, and submission materials.

• Manage the application process through submission and compliance review.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: FY26 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) is a Department of Defense-funded grant program that supports research on cancers affecting six or fewer persons per 100,000 people per year in the United States. The program aims to improve outcomes for people with rare cancers through discovery, community building, and expansion of knowledge across the cancer landscape. Research must be relevant to Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public.
RCRP offers three separate funding opportunities in FY26:

• Concept Award – supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking ideas.
• Idea Development Award – supports promising research ideas that are ready for further development and could generate high-impact findings.
• Resource and Community Development Award – supports development of research resources, datasets, infrastructure, and community-building platforms for rare cancers research.

Applicants interested in the Idea Development Award or Resource and Community Development Award must submit a required preproposal by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), August 19, 2026. Applicants interested in the Concept Award must submit a required Letter of Intent by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 16, 2026, and a full application by 11:59 p.m. ET, September 30, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding depends on the award mechanism selected:

Concept Award

• Up to $140,000 total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 2 years

• Approximately 18 awards expected

Idea Development Award

• Up to $490,000 total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 3 years

• Approximately 15 awards expected

Resource and Community Development Award

• Up to $1.12 million total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

• Approximately 5 awards expected

What could I use the funding for?

Projects must address rare cancers and align with one or more FY26 RCRP focus areas.

Concept Award and Idea Development Award focus areas

• Biology

• Preclinical Research Models

• Therapy, including drug repurposing

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Models
  Resource and Community Development Award focus areas

• Platform Development

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Models

Examples of activities supported under the Resource and Community Development Award include:

• Biospecimen repositories

• Patient registries

• Databases and centralized data-sharing platforms

• Omics resources

• Longitudinal natural history studies

• Resource-sharing infrastructure

• AI/ML-enabled discovery platforms

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to funding, successful applicants gain access to a nationally recognized Department of Defense cancer research program focused on advancing rare cancers research and improving outcomes for patients, Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

The Resource and Community Development Award specifically supports the creation of lasting research resources, stakeholder networks, and community infrastructure intended to continue benefiting the field beyond the award period.

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

Concept Award

• Letter of Intent Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 16, 2026

• Full Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, September 30, 2026

• Peer Review: December 2026

• Programmatic Review: March/April 2027

• Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Idea Development Award

• Preproposal Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), August 19, 2026

• Invitation to Submit Full Application: September 30, 2026

• Full Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, November 18, 2026

• Peer Review: February 2027

• Programmatic Review: March/April 2027

• Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Resource and Community Development Award

• Preproposal Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), August 19, 2026

• Invitation to Submit Full Application: September 30, 2026

• Full Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, November 18, 2026

• Peer Review: February 2027

• Programmatic Review: March/April 2027

• Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Where does this funding come from?

The Rare Cancers Research Program is managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development organization. Congress established the program in 2020 to support research of exceptional scientific merit in rare cancers. The FY26 appropriation is $17.5 million.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Foreign and domestic organizations

• For-profit organizations

• Nonprofit organizations

• Public entities

• Private entities

• Extramural and intramural organizations
  Principal Investigator eligibility varies by mechanism:

Concept Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent)

Idea Development Award

• Independent investigators at all career levels

Resource and Community Development Award

• Independent investigators at all career levels

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not provide additional eligibility exclusions beyond the stated organizational and investigator requirements.

However:

• Awards are made to organizations, not individuals. - An investigator may only serve as Principal Investigator on one application within each FY26 RCRP award mechanism.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The strongest applications will closely align with the intent of the selected mechanism.

Concept Award

• Highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking concepts

• High-risk ideas that open entirely new avenues of investigation

• Novel approaches that challenge existing paradigms in rare cancers research

Idea Development Award

• Research supported by preliminary data

• Projects with strong scientific rationale

• Ideas capable of generating high-impact findings and major advancements in rare cancers research

Resource and Community Development Award

• Platforms, datasets, repositories, and infrastructure that fill major gaps in rare cancers research

• Projects with strong plans for community engagement, dissemination, sustainability, and resource sharing

• Efforts that can benefit multiple rare cancer types or subtypes

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The program is expected to be highly competitive.

Historical data provided in the solicitations show:

Concept Award

• 979 applications received

• 90 recommended for funding

Idea Development Award

• 862 applications received

• 85 recommended for funding

Resource and Community Development Award

• 103 applications received

• 23 recommended for funding

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Across all three mechanisms:

• Clinical trials are not allowed. - Projects must focus on cancers affecting six or fewer persons per 100,000 people per year in the United States. - Research must be relevant to Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public.
  Additional Resource and Community Development Award requirements include:

• At least two rare cancer Patient Advocates must participate as integral members of the research team.

• Community building, dissemination, and sustainability plans are required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation effort depends on the mechanism selected.

Concept Award

• Requires a Letter of Intent and a short blinded application package.

• Generally expected to require the least preparation effort of the three mechanisms.

Idea Development Award

• Requires a preproposal followed by an invited full application.

• Preliminary data with disease-specific rationale are required.
  Resource and Community Development Award

• Requires a preproposal followed by an invited full application.

• Requires extensive planning around community engagement, patient advocacy, dissemination, sustainment, and resource-sharing infrastructure.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support applicants with:

• Opportunity assessment and mechanism selection

• Eligibility and project fit review

• Preproposal and Letter of Intent development

• Full proposal writing and editing

• Scientific and commercialization positioning

• Reviewer-focused narrative development

• Patient advocate engagement strategy

• Budget development and compliance review

• Final submission support

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: FY26 Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has released three Fiscal Year 2026 Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) funding opportunities designed to support innovative kidney cancer research, develop future leaders in the field, and accelerate new discoveries that improve outcomes for patients. Collectively, these opportunities represent approximately $10.2 million in anticipated funding across three award mechanisms.

The FY26 KCRP continues to focus on advancing the biology of kidney cancer, developing new therapeutic approaches, improving patient care and survivorship, addressing health disparities, and expanding research capacity through investigator development and collaboration.

Researchers can apply through one of three mechanisms:

Concept Award
Supports highly innovative, untested, and potentially groundbreaking ideas in kidney cancer research. This mechanism is intended for high-risk concepts that could open entirely new avenues of investigation. Preliminary data are not allowed. Awards provide up to $120,000 in total costs over one year.

Idea Development Award
Supports hypothesis-driven research projects backed by preliminary data and a well-developed scientific rationale. Projects must address important questions in kidney cancer research or clinical care and demonstrate potential for significant impact. Awards provide up to $900,000 for a single Principal Investigator or up to $1.2 million through the Partnering Principal Investigator option over three years.

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award
Supports promising early-career investigators pursuing independent careers in kidney cancer research. In addition to funding a research project, awardees join a national mentoring and networking academy that provides intensive mentorship, scientific collaboration opportunities, leadership development, and career support. Awards provide up to $1.2 million over four years.

All three mechanisms require submission of a Letter of Intent prior to full application submission and do not allow clinical trials. Applicants should begin preparing immediately to ensure sufficient time for project development, institutional approvals, collaborator coordination, and application assembly.

The earliest deadline is the Concept Award Letter of Intent due July 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Idea Development Award and Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award both require Letters of Intent by September 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding depends on the mechanism selected.

Concept Award

• Up to $120,000 total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 1 year

• Approximately 7 awards anticipated

Idea Development Award

• Single PI Option: Up to $900,000 total costs

• Partnering PI Option: Up to $1.2 million total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 3 years

• Approximately 8 awards anticipated

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• Up to $1.2 million total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

• Approximately 2 awards anticipated

What could I use the funding for?

All three mechanisms support research addressing at least one FY26 KCRP focus area, including:

• Understanding kidney cancer biology, progression, metastasis, and prevention

• Developing new screening, diagnostic, prognostic, and imaging approaches

• Advancing treatments for rare kidney cancers

• Creating novel therapeutic strategies

• Improving quality of life and survivorship

• Addressing outcomes in high-risk and underserved populations

• Expanding research capacity and developing future kidney cancer researchers

The Concept Award is intended for exploratory, high-risk concepts.

The Idea Development Award supports mature research projects with preliminary data and a clearly defined hypothesis.

The Early-Career Scholar Award supports both a research project and a structured career-development program designed to establish long-term independence in kidney cancer research.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The Idea Development Award includes a Partnering Principal Investigator option that supports formal collaborations between two investigators contributing distinct expertise to a single project.

The Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award provides:

• Intensive mentorship from established kidney cancer investigators

• National networking opportunities

• Scientific collaborations

• Monthly academy programming

• Annual and biennial workshops

• Leadership and career development training

• Access to a national peer network of kidney cancer researchers

All three mechanisms encourage multidisciplinary collaborations involving academia, industry, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies.

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

Concept Award

• Letter of Intent Deadline: July 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

• Application Deadline: August 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

• Peer Review: October 2026

• Programmatic Review: December 2026

Idea Development Award

• Letter of Intent Deadline: September 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

• Application Deadline: September 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

• Peer Review: December 2026

• Programmatic Review: March 2027

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• Letter of Intent Deadline: September 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

• Application Deadline: September 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

• Peer Review: December 2026

• Programmatic Review: March 2027

Awards funded through FY26 appropriations are expected to be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs through the Kidney Cancer Research Program.

Congress established the KCRP in 2017 to support research with exceptional scientific merit and high potential impact. The program received $15 million in FY26 appropriations.

The program's mission is to promote rigorous, innovative, high-impact kidney cancer research for the benefit of Service Members, Veterans, their families, and the American public.

Who is eligible to apply?

Concept Award

• Investigators at all career levels, including postdoctoral fellows or equivalent

• Foreign and domestic organizations

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations

• Public and private entities

Idea Development Award

• Investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)

• Foreign and domestic organizations

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations

• Public and private entities

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• Investigators within seven years of their most recent postdoctoral research position, clinical fellowship, or equivalent

• Must meet Early-Career Scholar eligibility requirements

• Must identify a qualified Designated Mentor

• Foreign and domestic organizations

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations

• Public and private entities

Who is not eligible to apply?

Concept Award

• Investigators below the postdoctoral fellow level (or equivalent)

Idea Development Award

• Investigators below the Assistant Professor level (or equivalent)

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• Individuals currently in postdoctoral positions, clinical fellowships, or equivalent training positions at the application deadline

• Investigators more than seven years removed from their last postdoctoral position, fellowship, or equivalent training experience

Additional eligibility restrictions apply to mentors participating in the Academy mechanism.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive applications will closely align with KCRP priorities and demonstrate clear potential to advance the field.

For the Concept Award, reviewers are looking for:

• Highly innovative ideas

• Novel concepts

• New research paradigms

• Research that goes beyond incremental advances

For the Idea Development Award, reviewers are looking for:

• Strong preliminary data

• Well-developed hypotheses

• Rigorous research strategies

• Significant potential impact on kidney cancer research or patient care

For the Early-Career Scholar Award, reviewers are evaluating:

• The investigator's potential to become an independent leader in kidney cancer research

• Quality of the mentoring plan

• Strength of the career-development strategy

• Scientific merit of the proposed research

Across all mechanisms, projects that directly address FY26 KCRP focus areas and demonstrate strong scientific rationale are likely to be most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Across all three mechanisms:

• Clinical trials are not allowed.

• Applications must address at least one FY26 KCRP focus area.

• Applications must address at least one eligible kidney cancer disease type.

• Cost sharing is not required.

• Awards are made to organizations rather than individuals.

Additional mechanism-specific restrictions include:

Concept Award

• Preliminary data are not allowed.

• Applications undergo blinded review.

• Applications may not contain identifying information about investigators or institutions.

Idea Development Award

• Preliminary data are required.

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• Preliminary data are required.

• Applicants must meet specific career-stage requirements.

• Applicants must identify an eligible Designated Mentor.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The FY26 KCRP funding opportunities are expected to be highly competitive.

Historical funding data demonstrates significant demand:

Concept Award

• 587 applications received since FY17

• 73 recommended for funding

Idea Development Award

• 610 applications received since FY17

• 124 recommended for funding

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

• 40 applications received since FY19

• 14 recommended for funding

Applicants should expect strong competition and should clearly demonstrate alignment with program priorities, innovation, feasibility, and potential impact.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation effort varies significantly by mechanism.

Concept Award
Typically requires the least preparation because preliminary data are prohibited and the narrative is intentionally brief. However, applicants must carefully comply with blinded-review requirements.

Idea Development Award
Requires substantial preparation due to the need for preliminary data, a comprehensive research strategy, detailed supporting documentation, impact statements, and progression planning.

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award
Typically requires the greatest preparation effort because applicants must develop both a research plan and a comprehensive career-development strategy while coordinating mentor participation and institutional commitments.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help applicants determine which KCRP mechanism best aligns with their technology, scientific maturity, and career stage.

Our team can support:

• Opportunity assessment and go/no-go decisions

• Mechanism selection

• Research strategy development

• Hypothesis refinement

• Innovation positioning

• Impact narrative development

• Mentor and collaborator coordination

• Compliance review

• Proposal writing and editing

• Grants.gov and submission support

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) - Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) - HTC71126SCSO1

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

Executive Summary:

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) (Solicitation Number: HTC71126SCSO1) is a continuously open funding pathway for companies developing commercial technologies that support global mobility, logistics, IT, and cybersecurity missions. Unlike traditional grants, this is a flexible acquisition vehicle that can lead directly to contracts or Other Transaction (OT) agreements.

This opportunity is continuously open until 1 February 2036 , with new Areas of Interest (AoIs) released on a rolling basis—some with dedicated funding and defined submission windows. If your solution aligns with USTRANSCOM’s mission, you can submit at any time, but Specific AoIs may have limited windows and should be monitored closely on SAM.gov.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding typically ranges from $500k to $5m.

What could I use the funding for?

1. AoI-901: Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity Solutions:

USTRANSCOM seeks IT and cybersecurity solutions that provide unique capabilities or more efficient approaches not currently in use by USTRANSCOM. These solutions should modernize enterprise systems, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen security posture while meeting stringent security standards to support global integrated mobility operations.

Representative examples include:

• Cloud-based IT services and architecture

• Cybersecurity defense and threat detection systems

• Transportation management systems

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications

1.1. Security and Compliance Requirements:

All IT solutions must address: compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 for unclassified systems, adherence to National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (32 CFR Part 117) for classified systems, implementation of Risk Management Framework processes, support for Authority to Operate requirements, and incident reporting capabilities per USTRANSCOM requirements.

1.2. Technical Data and Software Rights:

Offerors must identify any intellectual property, data rights restrictions, and licensing requirements associated with their proposed solutions. Submissions should clearly outline how technical data and software rights will be managed to ensure compatibility with USTRANSCOM systems and compliance with applicable regulations.

2. AoI-902: Transportation and Logistics Optimization:

USTRANSCOM seeks solutions that optimize transportation and logistics operations, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance global distribution capabilities. Submissions should offer unique approaches or efficiencies not currently utilized by USTRANSCOM to address operational challenges, visibility, and scalability in support of the global mobility mission.

Representative examples include:

• Supply chain resilience and risk management

• Real-time tracking and visibility platforms

• Predictive analytics for logistics decision support

• Automated transportation and cargo handling systems

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Access to FAR-based contracts or OT Agreements for Prototype Projects

• Ability to work directly with USTRANSCOM on mission-critical challenges

• Streamlined acquisition under DFARS Subpart 212.70

• Potential for multiple awards or follow-on opportunities

No additional non-monetary benefits are explicitly specified beyond contracting pathways.

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

• CSO open period: continuously open until 1 February 2036

• General AoIs:

  • Submissions accepted at any time

  • No guaranteed response timeline

• Specific AoIs:

  • Posted on SAM.gov with defined submission windows

  • Timelines vary by AoI

Process timeline (not fixed):

1. Phase 1 – Solution Brief submission

2. Phase 2 – Presentation/Pitch (if invited)

3. Phase 3 – Full Proposal (if invited)

4. Award decision

Timing for award decisions and funding is not specified in the solicitation.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), part of the Department of War (DoW) .

Awards are executed under:

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 contracts

• 10 U.S.C. 4022 Other Transaction (OT) authority

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility requirements explicitly include:

• Must provide commercial products, technologies, or services

• Must be a registered entity in SAM.gov to receive an award

What companies and projects are likely to win?

USTRANSCOM evaluates submissions based on:

• Alignment to mission needs

• Technical feasibility

• Innovation and uniqueness

• Milestone schedule realism

• Prior experience delivering similar solutions

• Affordability and return on investment

Projects most likely to advance:

• Demonstrate working capability (not conceptual only)

• Provide clear value over existing systems

• Show credible delivery plans and pricing

• Align directly with AoIs such as IT/cybersecurity or logistics optimization

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Strict submission format requirements (e.g., Scout Card + video for General AoIs)

• Video must be ≤ 5 minutes and demonstrate working capability

• Non-compliant submissions will not be evaluated

• Submission costs are not reimbursed unless explicitly stated

• Must comply with:

  • DFARS cybersecurity requirements

  • National Industrial Security Program (for classified systems)

  • Risk Management Framework and Authority to Operate processes

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Not explicitly specified, but based on requirements:

• Phase 1 includes:

  • Scout Card submission

  • 5-minute demo video OR up to 6-page white paper (for Specific AoIs)

Preparation time will vary depending on:

• Readiness of a working prototype

• Ability to produce a demonstration video

• Pricing and delivery estimates

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support across all phases of this CSO:

• Identify the right AoIs and timing strategy

• Develop high-impact Solution Briefs and demo narratives

• Structure submissions to align with evaluation criteria

• Prepare Phase 2 pitches and Phase 3 proposals

• Ensure compliance with format, pricing, and technical requirements

Additional Resources

Review solicitation here.

Golden Dome for America - Department of War CSO

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

Executive Summary:

The Office of the Secretary of War (Golden Dome for America) is seeking innovative commercial technologies, services, and capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland against advanced threats including ballistic missiles, hypersonics, cruise missiles, and other aerial systems. This is a long-term, continuously open Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) designed to rapidly fund and deploy breakthrough solutions using flexible contracting.

This opportunity is open from the date of CSO posting through 30 September 2035. There is no single deadline—submissions can be made on a rolling basis, and additional Calls may define specific due dates.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding is expected to range from $500k - $10m.

• There is no restriction on the number, type, value, or frequency of awards

• Awards may vary widely in scope, duration, and price

• The Government may fund all, part, or none of any submission

• Awards may be incrementally funded at the Government’s discretion

What could I use the funding for?

Funding can be used to support:

• Prototype projects directly relevant to DoD systems, platforms, components, or materials

• Development of innovative commercial technologies and services

• Solutions that:

  • Close capability gaps

  • Accelerate mission effectiveness

  • Introduce breakthrough technological advancements

The program prioritizes:

• Rapid testing and proof-of-concept efforts

• Technologies addressing urgent and complex threats

• Applications that significantly improve or transform existing capabilities

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Yes. This CSO provides:

• Access to Other Transaction (OT) agreements and FAR-based contracts

• Opportunity for follow-on prototype or production agreements

• Flexible acquisition pathways using streamlined procedures

• Ability to collaborate at higher security levels when required

• Potential for one-step awards directly from white papers

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

• The CSO is open from the date of CSO posting through 30 September 2035

• White papers may be submitted at any time during this period

• Specific deadlines will only be provided in individual Calls or RFPs

• Submissions close to the end of the CSO period may not be reviewed in time

Timing for funding decisions is not specified, but:

• Reviews are intended to be streamlined and expedient

• The Government may communicate for clarification during evaluation

• Awards may be made directly from white papers or after an RFP process

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from:

• Office of the Secretary of War (Golden Dome for America)

Authorized under:

• DFARS 212.70 – Commercial Solutions Opening

• 10 USC 4022 (Other Transaction Authority)

• 10 USC 3458 (Commercial acquisition authority)

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• All sources capable of addressing the objectives of the CSO

• Traditional defense contractors

• Nontraditional defense contractors

• Non-profit research institutions

Applicants must comply with:

• Applicable security requirements

• Conflict of interest disclosures

Note: Entities providing SETA or similar support to GDA may not simultaneously act as performers without prior approval.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The Government prioritizes:

• Breakthrough technologies over incremental improvements

• Solutions that address urgent and high-priority mission needs

• Proposals that enable:

  • Rapid testing

  • Proof-of-concept demonstrations

  • Accelerated deployment

Evaluation is based on:

• Technical merit

• Price (must be fair and reasonable)

• Overall value relative to mission impact and portfolio balance

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. Key restrictions include:

• White papers:

  • Must not exceed 10 pages

• Proposals (if requested):

  • Technical volume: max 20 pages

  • Price volume: max 10 pages

• Submissions must:

  • Be in English

  • Meet security requirements

  • Properly mark proprietary information

Additional constraints:

• The Government may:

  • Modify scope, price, or terms

  • Use one-step or two-step evaluation processes

  • Select partial proposals

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• White papers are designed to be uncomplicated and limited to 10 pages

• A one-step award may be possible if sufficient detail is included

• Additional effort may be required if invited to submit a full proposal

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support you by:

• Identifying where your technology aligns with GDA mission priorities

• Developing a compliant, high-impact white paper

• Structuring your submission for one-step award consideration

• Positioning your solution as a breakthrough capability

• Supporting follow-on proposals if an RFP is issued

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) is a pre-announcement from the Department of Defense indicating substantial upcoming funding across a wide range of medical research topics relevant to military health. This is an early signal to begin preparing—applications are not yet open, and deadlines are not specified in this pre-announcement. Once released on Grants.gov, these opportunities will move quickly and require pre-applications or letters of intent.

This program supports everything from early-stage discovery through large-scale clinical trials, with awards ranging from $385,000 up to $20M+ depending on mechanism. Founders and research teams should begin aligning projects now to be competitive when announcements drop.

Pre-Applications are due on 7/16/26 and 7/23/26.

Full Applications are due between 7/30/26 and 9/22/26.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding varies significantly by award mechanism:

• Clinical Trial Award

  • Planning Phase: up to $800,000

  • Level 1: up to $6M

  • Level 2: up to $10M

  • Level 3: up to $20M

• Discovery Award

  • Up to $385,000

• Impact Award

  • Single PI: up to $2.8M

  • Partnering PI: up to $3.6M

• Lifestyle and Applied Health Research Award

  • Up to $4.2M

• Platform Clinical Translation Award

  • Up to $15M (with only $8M guaranteed from FY26 funds)

• Research Advancement Award

  • Up to $1.4M

• Technology/Therapeutic Development Award

  • Up to $5.6M

All amounts are total costs (direct + indirect).

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports a broad spectrum of medical research aligned to congressionally mandated topic areas, including (not exhaustive):

• PTSD, traumatic brain injury, suicide prevention

• Burn pit exposure, respiratory health

• Rare diseases (e.g., Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, mitochondrial disease)

• Chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes-related areas not explicitly listed, IBD, fibromyalgia-related analogs where applicable)

• Women’s health (e.g., endometriosis, maternal mental health)

• Neurological and musculoskeletal conditions

Use cases depend on the mechanism:

• Discovery Award: High-risk, early-stage concepts (no preliminary data)

• Impact Award: Hypothesis-driven work with preliminary data

• Clinical Trial Award: Phase 0–3 trials

• Technology/Therapeutic Development: Translating preclinical work into products

• Platform Clinical Translation: Multi-indication platforms

• Lifestyle and Applied Health: Quality of life, behavioral, and applied interventions

Projects must align to at least one specified topic area.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Validation from the Department of Defense and CDMRP

• Access to non-dilutive capital at scale (up to $20M)

• Opportunity to support military-relevant health outcomes

• Structured pathways for clinical translation and regulatory readiness (e.g., IND/IDE planning support under Clinical Trial Award)

Additional benefits are not further specified in the pre-announcement.

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

• Pre-Applications are due on 7/16/26 and 7/23/26.

• Full Applications are due between 7/30/26 and 9/22/26.

• Submission will require:

  • Pre-application (e.g., preproposal or letter of intent depending on mechanism)

  • Full application (often by invitation only)

• Periods of performance:

  • Range from 2 years to 4 years depending on mechanism

  • Planning phases up to 18 months

Exact award start timelines are not specified.

Where does this funding come from?

• FY26 Defense Appropriations Act

• Administered by:

  • Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research and Development

  • Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC)

  • Managed through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

Who is eligible to apply?

• Independent investigators at all career levels

• Applies across all award mechanisms

No additional institutional, geographic, or organizational eligibility restrictions are specified in this pre-announcement.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based strictly on the solicitation:

• Projects that:

  • Align directly with congressionally mandated topic areas

  • Demonstrate clear relevance to military health

  • Show high impact and scientific merit

• Competitive profiles by mechanism:

  • Discovery: Bold, untested ideas without preliminary data

  • Impact: Strong preliminary data + near-term impact potential

  • Clinical Trial: Well-developed interventions ready for human testing

  • Technology/Therapeutic Development: Clear product-oriented outcomes

  • Platform Clinical Translation: Solutions addressing multiple topic areas

• Teams:

  • May include clinician researchers or industry partners (required in some partnering options)

Further selection criteria are not specified in this pre-announcement.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions vary by mechanism:

• Clinical Trial Award

  • Cannot support preclinical research

  • Requires regulatory approvals (e.g., IND/IDE) where applicable

• Discovery Award

  • Cannot include preliminary data

  • Cannot support clinical trials

• Impact Award

  • Cannot support clinical trials

• Lifestyle and Applied Health Research Award

  • Cannot support animal studies

• Technology/Therapeutic Development Award

  • Cannot support clinical trials

• Research Advancement Award

  • Cannot support clinical trials

• All applications:

  • Must align to specified topic areas

  • Require pre-application submission (preproposal or LOI depending on mechanism)

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Not explicitly specified, but based on required steps:

• Pre-application required (LOI or preproposal)

• Full applications often by invitation only

• Clinical trial applications may require:

  • Regulatory documentation (e.g., IND/IDE)

Exact preparation timelines are not specified in the pre-announcement.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support:

• Opportunity qualification against PRMRP mechanisms

• Topic area alignment and positioning

• Preproposal / LOI development

• Full application strategy and narrative development

• Clinical and product translation positioning

• Partnering strategy (e.g., clinician or industry PI alignment)

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.

CDMRP: Combat Readiness–Medical Research Program (CRRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Combat Readiness–Medical Research Program (CRRP) will fund innovative, high-impact research to improve Warfighter survivability and readiness, with a focus on trauma care and operational medical capabilities. This is a pre-announcement, giving advance notice so teams can prepare—the full funding opportunity with required deadlines has not yet been released.

Critically, application deadlines are not specified in this pre-announcement. Once released, the solicitation will include required pre-application and full application deadlines. Teams should begin preparing now, as this program uses a pre-application screening process with invitation-only full submissions.

How much funding would I receive?

• Maximum total funding: $2.45 million (total costs)

• Guaranteed funding from FY26: $1.45 million

• Remaining funding supports optional research efforts

• Period of performance:

  • Maximum total: 3 years

  • Base period: 2 years

  • Optional period: 1 year

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports translational research in combat casualty care, including:

• Battlefield diagnostics, triage, and decision support tools

• Treatments to improve care delivery in:

  • Point of injury

  • Austere surgical/resuscitative environments

  • Prolonged casualty care

  • En route care

• Battlefield readiness solutions focused on pre-hospital and operational environments

Projects must be hypothesis-driven and supported by preliminary data and aim to move promising technologies toward real-world trauma care solutions.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Not specified in the pre-announcement.

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

• This is a pre-announcement only

• The full funding opportunity will be posted on Grants.gov

• Pre-application submission is required via eBRAP

• Full applications are by invitation only

Application deadlines are not specified in this pre-announcement and will be provided when the official solicitation is released.

Where does this funding come from?

• FY26 Defense Appropriations Act

• Managed by:

  • Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

  • Under the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC)

Who is eligible to apply?

• Independent Investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent

No additional eligibility restrictions are specified.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects most aligned with the program’s intent will:

• Address combat casualty care and operational medical challenges

• Demonstrate strong preliminary data

• Be translational—moving technologies toward real-world use

• Show potential to:

  • Improve survivability

  • Enable care closer to the point of injury

  • Inform trauma care guidelines

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Pre-application is required; full submission is invitation-only

• Applications must include preliminary data

• Research may include:

  • Animal models (allowed, not required)

  • Clinical research (allowed, not required)

  • Small-scale pilot clinical trials (optional, within performance period)

• Applications must conform to the final FOA once released

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Not specified in the pre-announcement.

However, given the pre-application + invitation-only structure and requirement for preliminary data, teams should expect a multi-phase process and begin preparation early.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support across the full lifecycle:

• Positioning your technology against CRRP focus areas

• Developing a competitive pre-application strategy

• Translating technical work into clear, reviewer-aligned narratives

• Building a data-driven commercialization and impact story

• Managing submission through eBRAP and Grants.gov workflows

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.

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.

Pre-applications are due October 23rd.

Full applications are due November 6.

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?

• Pre-applications are due October 23rd.

• Full applications are due November 6.

• 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.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP), managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), will fund high-impact research to improve function and quality of life for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This is a pre-announcement, meaning application deadlines are not yet specified. Founders and investigators should begin preparing now ahead of the official release on Grants.gov, where deadlines will be published.

Pre-applications are due on September 4th.

Full applications are due on September 18th.

How much funding would I receive?

Two award mechanisms are anticipated:

Idea Development Award

• Maximum funding: $500,000 in total costs

• Period of performance: 2 years

Clinical/Translational Research Award

Funding Level 1

• Single PI: $910,000 in total costs

• Partnering PI Option: $1 million in total costs

• Period of performance: 3 years

Funding Level 2

• Single PI: $1.75M in total costs

• Partnering PI Option: $1.9M in total costs

• Period of performance: 4 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Idea Development Award

• High-risk/high-reward research advancing understanding of DMD

• Development of macromolecular and cellular therapies targeting primary pathology

• Research must include preliminary data

• Cannot fund clinical trials or clinical trial aims

Clinical/Translational Research Award

• Translational research with near-term clinical impact

• Preclinical work supporting IND-enabling studies

• Clinical research including:

  • Real-world data or post-market studies

  • Combination or sequential therapy studies

  • Long-term safety and efficacy studies

  • Studies to improve care and quality of life

  • Clinical trial tools and outcome measures

  • Natural history studies for trial readiness

• Can include clinical trials, pilot trials, and readiness studies

• Must include preliminary data

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Access to CDMRP-managed funding programs within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development ecosystem

• Optional Partnering PI structure for Clinical/Translational Research Awards to support collaboration between investigators

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

• Pre-applications are due on September 4th.

• Full applications are due on September 18th.

• Deadlines will be released with the official funding opportunity announcements on Grants.gov

• A pre-application submission through eBRAP is required prior to full application submission

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?

Idea Development Award

• Established independent investigators

• Early-stage investigators:

  • Within 10 years of first faculty appointment

  • Must not have previously received this award

• Transitioning investigators entering DMD from another field

• Must:

  • Be pursuing an active line of DMD research

  • Commit at least 10% effort annually

Clinical/Translational Research Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels

• Optional Partnering PI must be:

  • Early-career (within 10 years), or

  • Established investigator from another field entering DMD

What companies and projects are likely to win?

• Projects focused on safe and effective macromolecular and cellular therapies addressing the primary pathology of DMD

• Research with clinical relevance and translational potential

• Studies that demonstrate impact across the lifespan, including:

  • Infants

  • Toddlers

  • Non-ambulatory individuals

• Applications supported by strong preliminary data

• High-risk/high-reward ideas (Idea Development Award) or near-term clinical impact (Clinical/Translational Award)

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Idea Development Award:

  • Cannot fund clinical trials or clinical trial aims

• All applications:

  • Must include preliminary data

  • Must align with specified focus areas

• Pre-application submission via eBRAP is required

• Applications must conform to final FOA requirements once released

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• Not specified in the pre-announcement

• However, preparation should begin now given:

  • Required preliminary data

  • Mandatory pre-application step

  • Competitive, high-impact nature of the program

How can BW&CO help?

• Evaluate fit across Idea Development vs. Clinical/Translational tracks

• Shape your research into a CDMRP-aligned, reviewer-ready narrative

• Support Partnering PI strategy and positioning

• Develop compliant pre-applications and full submissions

• Maximize competitiveness for high-risk/high-reward and translational proposals

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.

U.S. Army Contracting Command – Anniston Army Depot (ACC-HDA)Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

This is a continuously open Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) from the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Anniston Army Depot to fund innovative commercial technologies that modernize the Army’s Organic Industrial Base (OIB). The program is actively seeking solutions across advanced manufacturing, automation, digital enterprise, and related areas.

The CSO is continuously open until September 30, 2030. Companies can submit in response to specific Areas of Interest (AoIs) as they are released on SAM.gov, so timing depends on each AoI posting. Early engagement is strongly encouraged as the government can move quickly through evaluation phases.

How much funding would I receive?

• Not specified in the solicitation, but awards typically range from $500k to $5m.

  • Awards are dependent on specific AoIs and availability of government funds

  • Pricing is proposed by the company (starting with a rough order of magnitude in early phases)

  • Final award amounts are negotiated during the proposal phase

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is intended for innovative commercial technologies, products, and services that support modernization of Army depot operations.

Relevant use cases include:

• Advanced manufacturing and maintenance technologies

• Automation and robotics

• Digital enterprise systems (AI, IoT, cloud, 5G)

• Predictive maintenance and diagnostics

• Logistics and inventory modernization

• Process modernization (e.g., coatings, surface treatment)

• Workforce development systems

• Energy and environmental solutions

Solutions may include:

• Commercial technologies already available

• Adaptations of existing commercial products

• Pilot demonstrations or concept development efforts

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The CSO highlights several non-dilutive and strategic benefits:

• Streamlined application process with minimal initial requirements

• Negotiable payment terms (non-dilutive capital)

• Negotiable intellectual property (IP) rights

• Direct feedback from DoD end users and mission partners

• Fast-track evaluation timelines for early-stage submissions

• Each proposal evaluated on its own merits (not comparatively)

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

• CSO open until: September 30, 2030

• AoIs are released separately and define specific submission windows

Typical process timeline:

• Phase 1 (Solution Brief): Government aims to evaluate within ~30 days after submission deadline

• Phase 2 (Pitch): Evaluation typically within ~30 days

• Phase 3 (Full Proposal): Timeline not specified

• Awards: Dependent on funding availability and negotiations

The government may accelerate or skip phases depending on urgency and proposal quality.

Where does this funding come from?

• U.S. Army Contracting Command – Anniston Army Depot (ACC-HDA)

• Authorized under:

  • Section 803 of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act

  • DFARS Subpart 212-70 (Commercial Solutions Opening authority)

Funding supports Department of Defense modernization priorities for the Organic Industrial Base.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Traditional defense contractors

• Nontraditional defense contractors

• Small businesses

• Nonprofit research institutions

• Foreign-owned companies (subject to clearance and approval requirements)

Additional requirements for award:

• Must obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI)

• Must be registered in SAM.gov

• Must not be suspended or debarred from federal contracting

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects are evaluated based on:

• Alignment with specific AoI requirements

• Technical merit and feasibility

• Level of innovation and uniqueness

• Commercial readiness and ability to meet immediate needs

• Realistic pricing and schedule

• Company viability and risk profile

Solutions that demonstrate clear applicability to Army needs and strong commercial maturity are most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Submissions must be unclassified

• Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursable

• Solution briefs and pitches are generally unpaid

• Period of performance typically should not exceed 12 months (unless specified otherwise)

• Export-controlled technologies may require approvals

• Awards are subject to availability of funds

• The government may select all, some, or none of submissions

• Only a Contracting Officer can execute agreements

Additionally, submissions must follow AoI-specific instructions and deadlines to be considered.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• Phase 1 Solution Brief:

  • Up to 5 pages or 15 slides

  • Includes executive summary, technical concept, and rough pricing

Later phases (pitch and full proposal) require more detailed technical and pricing information.

Overall preparation time depends on the complexity of the solution and the phase reached.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support across all phases of the CSO:

• Identify and track relevant AoIs as they are released

• Develop high-impact solution briefs aligned to evaluation criteria

• Prepare pitch materials and messaging for Phase 2

• Build full Commercial Solution Proposals (CSPs)

• Support pricing strategy and negotiation positioning

• Ensure compliance with all CSO requirements

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: Military Burn Research Program (MBRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) will fund innovative, high-impact research focused on military-relevant burn trauma care in austere, combat environments. This is an early pre-announcement, giving teams time to prepare ahead of formal release on Grants.gov.

Application deadlines are not yet specified — they will be provided when the official funding opportunity announcements are released. Founders and researchers should begin planning now, as all mechanisms require a preproposal and are invitation-only for full applications.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding varies by award mechanism:

• Discovery Award

  • Up to $200,000 total costs

  • Up to 2 years

• Patient-Centered Research Award (PCRA)

  • Single PI: Up to $1.6 million total costs

  • Mentorship Option: Up to $1.8 million total costs

  • Up to 4 years

• Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (TTDA)

  • Single PI: Up to $1.6 million total costs

  • Mentorship Option: Up to $1.8 million total costs

  • Up to 3 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support research aligned to combat-relevant burn care, including:

• Cold injury triage, treatment, and prevention

• Acute burn care in combat settings

• Prevention, assessment, or treatment of burn-related complications:

  • Fluid resuscitation issues

  • Endotheliopathy

  • Sepsis

  • Inhalation injuries

  • Fungal infections

  • Hypermetabolism

• Early interventions to reduce long-term complications (e.g., chronic pain, neuropathy, pruritus)

By mechanism:

• Discovery Award: Early-stage, exploratory, non-clinical research (no clinical trials)

• PCRA: Clinical research and clinical trials only

• TTDA: Product-focused development (devices, drugs, or clinical practice tools), no clinical trials

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Optional Mentorship Option (PCRA and TTDA) to support collaboration between senior and junior researchers

• Access to CDMRP-managed funding infrastructure

• Opportunity to build solutions for military and battlefield healthcare applications

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

• This is a pre-announcement only

• Application deadlines are not yet specified

• Once released:

  • Pre-applications must be submitted via eBRAP

  • Full applications are invitation-only following preproposal review

• Timing for award decisions and funding is not specified

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?

• Discovery Award: Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

• PCRA & TTDA: Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

No additional eligibility restrictions are specified.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive applications will:

• Directly address combat-relevant burn care challenges

• Focus on austere, resource-limited, battlefield environments

• Show:

  • Strong scientific rationale

  • Clear study design and analysis plan

  • Alignment with one or more listed focus areas

By mechanism:

• Discovery: Novel, early-stage ideas with potential future impact

• PCRA: Clinically actionable research with preliminary data

• TTDA: Clear path to a tangible product, supported by proof of concept

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Preproposal required; full application is invitation-only for all mechanisms

• Mechanism-specific restrictions:

  • Discovery: No clinical trials

  • PCRA: No preclinical or animal research

  • TTDA: No clinical research or clinical trials

• Preliminary data:

  • Required for PCRA and TTDA

  • Optional for Discovery

• All applications must follow final FOA requirements once released

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• Not explicitly specified

• However, applicants should plan for:

  • Preproposal development

  • Invitation-based full application

• Given the structure, preparation will likely require multiple stages, but exact timelines are not specified

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support you across both stages:

• Identify the best-fit mechanism (Discovery vs. PCRA vs. TTDA)

• Shape your concept to align with combat burn priorities

• Develop a competitive preproposal strategy

• Build a full application (if invited), including:

  • Technical narrative

  • Commercialization or translation framing (for TTDA)

  • Clinical positioning (for PCRA)

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.

CDMRP: Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program (JWMRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program (JWMRP) FY26 funding opportunity is expected to support continuation of late-stage medical R&D projects that address critical Department of War (DOW) capability gaps. This is not for new ideas—only existing, previously funded projects that are close to delivering impact are eligible.

This is a pre-announcement, and full funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) with deadlines will be posted on Grants.gov. The application deadline is not specified in this pre-announcement. Founders should begin preparing now to align with the anticipated requirements and pre-application process.

How much funding would I receive?

Two award options are available:

• MMRDA

  • Maximum funding: $1.25M (total costs)

  • Period of performance: Up to 3 years

• MMRDA – Clinical Research/Trial Option

  • Maximum funding: $3M (total costs)

  • Period of performance: Up to 3 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is strictly for continuation of existing projects, including:

• Late-stage preclinical studies

• Late-stage technology development

• Technology demonstration

• Translational research

• Clinical research and trials (under Clinical Research/Trial Option)

• Development of:

  • Pharmaceutical or biologic candidates

  • Medical devices

  • Medical technologies

Projects must address at least one focus area:

• Non-vaccine infectious disease prevention/treatment (excluding malaria)

• Hemorrhage mitigation and trauma resuscitation

• Injury from temperature extremes

• Musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) treatment and prevention

• Radiation exposure countermeasures (excluding cytokines)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Not specified in the pre-announcement.

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

• This is a pre-announcement only

• Full FOAs will be released on Grants.gov

• A pre-application is required via eBRAP

• Full applications are by invitation only

The application deadline is not specified in this pre-announcement.
Award timing is not specified.

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?

• Extramural and intramural applicants

• Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

Additional required eligibility conditions:

• Must have previously received DOW core or congressionally directed funding

• Must propose a continuation of the same research concept

• Projects must already be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or above

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on stated requirements, competitive projects will:

• Be continuations of previously funded DOW projects

• Be near deployment or impact (TRL 5+)

• Address one or more JWMRP focus areas

• Demonstrate clear progress toward military medical capability gaps

• Be positioned for translation, demonstration, or clinical validation

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes—this program is highly restrictive:

• No new projects allowed

• No basic research allowed

• Must be a continuation of prior DOW-funded work

• Must meet TRL 5 or higher requirement

• Pre-application is mandatory

• Full application is by invitation only

• Must align with at least one focus area

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Not specified in the pre-announcement.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO supports companies pursuing defense innovation and CSO opportunities like this one.

We help by:

• Assess whether your prior DOW-funded project qualifies

• Position your continuation strategy to align with JWMRP focus areas

• Develop a compelling pre-application for eBRAP

• Prepare a full application (if invited) that emphasizes:

  • Translational readiness

  • Military relevance

  • Programmatic alignment

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.

CDMRP: Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP) pre-announcement is live. This is an early signal to start preparing now—formal funding opportunities will follow on Grants.gov.

This program will fund research addressing bone marrow failure (BMF), with a focus on treatments, disease understanding, and community resources. Pre-announcements like this are your only early advantage—teams that move now are significantly more competitive once the FOA drops.

Pre-Applications are due: August 5th and October 7th

Full Proposals are due: November 4th

How much funding would I receive?

Funding varies by award mechanism:

• Idea Development Award

  • Maximum: $800,000 total costs

  • Period of performance: Up to 3 years

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award

  • Maximum: $1,250,000 total costs

  • Period of performance: Up to 3 years

• Resource Development Award

  • Maximum: $1,250,000 total costs

  • Period of performance: Up to 2 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Projects must align to at least one required FY26 BMFRP focus area:

• Develop durable resources for the bone marrow failure research community

• Find effective BMF treatments and cures

• Understand the causes and progression of BMF diseases

Each award mechanism has specific intent:

• Idea Development Award: Early-stage, hypothesis-driven research with translational potential

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award: More mature research building on prior findings with strong preliminary data

• Resource Development Award: Creation of shared tools, datasets, or infrastructure for the BMF community

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Partnering Principal Investigator option available under the Investigator-Initiated Research Award

• Separate review tracks for early-career vs. established investigators (Idea Development Award)

• Encouragement for correlative studies tied to existing clinical trials/studies

• Emphasis on translational potential, including work supporting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application

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

• Pre-Applications are due: August 5th and October 7th

• Full Proposals are due: November 4th

• Pre-application required via eBRAP before full application

• Full applications are invitation-only after preproposal review

• Funding opportunity announcements will be posted on Grants.gov

• Award timing: Not specified in the pre-announcement

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?

Eligibility depends on the award mechanism:

• Idea Development Award:

  • Early-Career Investigators (<10 years from first appointment)

  • Established Investigators (≥10 years from first appointment)

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award:

  • Independent investigators at all career levels

• Resource Development Award:

  • Independent investigators at all career levels

Additional institutional or organizational eligibility is not specified in the pre-announcement.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on required criteria:

• Projects must align tightly with one of the FY26 BMFRP focus areas

• Strong scientific rationale and testable hypothesis (Idea Development Award)

• Preliminary data required (Investigator-Initiated and Resource Development Awards)

• Clear translational impact and potential to advance patient care

• Resource proposals must demonstrate data/sample access and a clear distribution plan

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Preproposal required; full applications are invitation-only

• Clinical trials are not allowed under any mechanism

• Applications must align to specified focus areas

• Resource Development Award is limited to the resource-focused track only

• The pre-announcement does not obligate the government to fund awards

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The structure implies:

• Initial preproposal preparation (required for all mechanisms)

• Full proposal only if invited

The pre-announcement is explicitly intended to give teams time to begin planning ahead of the formal deadlines.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO supports companies pursuing defense innovation and CSO opportunities like this one.

We help by:

• Position your project against the three distinct award mechanisms

• Build a preproposal strategy that secures invitation to full application

• Shape your narrative around CDMRP review expectations and translational impact

• Align your work to IND-enabling or high-impact outcomes where applicable

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.

ERDC: Geospatial Research Laboratory - Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) – Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) is accepting solutions through a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for innovative geospatial, mapping, sensing, and navigation technologies that could improve Army mission capabilities.

This opportunity allows companies to propose commercial technologies, services, or R&D solutions aligned with ERDC-GRL research priorities such as 3D mapping, remote sensing, and terrain-based navigation.

Solutions must be submitted through 5PM CST, 30 June 2026 via the ERDCWERX submission portal. Proposals are evaluated quickly—often within 10 days of submission—making this a fast pathway for companies with relevant technology to secure government contracts.

How much funding would I receive?

Awards typically range from $500k - $5m. Key funding notes:

• Funding availability is determined on a proposal-by-proposal basis.

• The government may not have funds available for every technically selectable proposal.

• Offerors are encouraged to provide flexible quantities or pricing options to maximize award potential.

All resulting awards will be firm-fixed-price contracts.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports commercial technologies, services, and research & development solutions that advance ERDC-GRL mission areas.

The solicitation lists six Areas of Interest (AOIs):

• Mission Command decision environments

• Establishing full-3D mapping capabilities

• Building a holistic geospatial foundation

• Remote sensing and mapping capabilities

• Terrain-based positioning and navigation technologies

• Earth system dynamics for situational understanding

Solutions may include:

• New technologies

• New applications of existing technologies

• Commercial products adapted for government missions

• Research and development projects

All proposed items and services are treated as commercial items under the CSO.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

This CSO provides several advantages compared with traditional government programs:

• Fast evaluation timelines (often within 10 days of submission)

• Ability to submit existing commercial technologies

• Potential for prototype agreements, including Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs)

• Opportunities to demonstrate technology during optional Demo Day or site visits

• Collaboration with the government to develop the Performance Work Statement (PWS) before award

The government may also provide feedback to unsuccessful offerors at its discretion.

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

Key dates and timing from the solicitation:

• Solution submission deadline: 5PM CST, 30 June 2026

• Evaluation timeline: Generally completed within 10 days of submission

• Awards: Issued after evaluation and price reasonableness determination

The CSO is structured as an open-continuous solicitation, meaning solutions can be submitted anytime before the deadline.

The government may use either:

• One-step evaluation: direct award decision

• Two-step evaluation: initial review followed by a virtual or in-person demonstration

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) through its Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL).

ERDC conducts projects for:

• Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology)

• Army Futures Command

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Other government organizations

The solicitation is issued under Department of Defense Commercial Solutions Opening authority.

Who is eligible to apply?

The following requirements are explicitly stated:

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Entities must be registered to bid on contracts, not just grants.

• Offerors must provide a CAGE Code and Unique Entity ID in their submission.

All items, technologies, and services submitted under this CSO are treated as commercial items.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The government evaluates proposals using three factors:

1. Technical merit

   • Innovation of the solution

   • Feasibility of solving the agency challenge

2. Importance to agency programs

   • Potential to enhance mission effectiveness

3. Funds availability

Strong proposals typically demonstrate:

• Clear alignment with an Area of Interest

• Evidence the solution works in the commercial marketplace

• Technical feasibility and practical application

• Clear explanation of how the technology improves mission capabilities

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• No classified data or sensitive information may be included in submissions

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked

• Prices must remain valid for at least 90 days after submission

• Proposal documents must follow specific file naming conventions

• SAM registration must match the company address listed in the proposal

• The government may choose not to fund any proposals

Additionally, security requirements may apply for projects performed at military installations.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The application is designed to be relatively lightweight.

Required materials include:

Cover Letter (max 2 pages)
Must include:

• Area of Interest

• Team members

• Solution validity date

• Company overview

• Contact information

• CAGE code and DUNS

• SAM registration screenshot

• Relevant NAICS code

Technical Volume

• Solution brief (max 5 pages)

• Pitch deck (max 15 slides)

• Optional 5-minute video demonstration

Price Volume

• Proposed pricing

• Delivery date or period of performance

Many companies can prepare submissions within a few weeks depending on readiness of materials.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO supports companies pursuing defense innovation and CSO opportunities like this one.

We help by:

• Identifying the best Area of Interest alignment

• Structuring your solution brief and pitch deck

• Positioning your technology around Army mission needs

• Building a compliant proposal package

• Preparing your pricing and commercialization narrative

• Supporting Demo Day preparation if invited

Our goal is to maximize your chances of selection while minimizing internal time spent on proposal preparation.

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.

ERDC: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory - Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) is accepting proposals through Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Solicitation W913E526SC001 for innovative commercial technologies that advance cold regions science and engineering capabilities. The program seeks solutions across areas such as cold-region domain awareness, mobility and maneuver in extreme cold, ice operations, advanced materials, resilient energy systems, and cryospheric biochemical applications.

This is a rolling submission opportunity, meaning proposals are reviewed as they are received and awards may be issued shortly thereafter. The solicitation is open from 01 Jan 2026 through 31 December 2026, and submissions must be received through 5PM EST, the date of closing posted at the start of this solicitation. Companies are encouraged to submit early since funding decisions occur on a rolling basis.

How much funding would I receive?

Awards typically range from $500k - $5m. Key funding details stated in the solicitation:

• Awards may be made as firm-fixed-price contracts.

• The government may also award prototype agreements (e.g., Other Transaction Agreements) under 10 U.S.C. §4022 if deemed appropriate.

• Funding availability is one of the evaluation factors, meaning some technically strong proposals may not receive awards if funding is unavailable.

Because no specific funding amounts are provided, the award value will depend on the proposed solution and available program funding.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports innovative commercial items, technologies, and services, including research and development, that advance cold-region capabilities.

Solutions should address one or more of the following research thrust areas:

• Building Cold Region Domain Awareness

• Enhancing Mobility and Maneuver in Cold Region Environments

• Integrated Ice Operations

• Advanced Materials Development and Applications in Extreme Cold Environments

• Resilient Cold Region Energy Systems

• Advancements in Cryospheric Biochemical Applications

“Innovative” is defined as:

• A technology, process, or method that is new as of the date of proposal submission, or

• A new application of an existing technology or method.

Solutions may include existing commercial technologies or new R&D approaches that improve mission capabilities.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Direct contracts with the U.S. Army / Department of Defense.

• The possibility of prototype agreements (Other Transaction Agreements) when appropriate.

• Opportunities to demonstrate technology to government evaluators if selected for a demonstration step.

• Potential inclusion of proposals in a government “library” for future funding consideration if technically promising but unfunded initially.

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

Solicitation open period

• 01 Jan 2026 through 31 December 2026

Submission deadline

• Submissions must be received through 5PM EST, the date of closing posted at the start of this solicitation.

Review timeline

• Proposals are reviewed as they are received.

• Evaluation is generally completed within 10 days of submission, though it may take longer for complex submissions or high submission volumes.

Because this is a rolling solicitation, companies are encouraged to submit early rather than waiting for the final closing date.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL).

CRREL executes projects on behalf of:

• Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT))

• Army Futures Command

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Other government organizations.

The CSO is authorized under Department of Defense Class Deviation 2022-O0007, allowing DoD organizations to procure innovative commercial solutions.

Who is eligible to apply?

The following requirements are explicitly stated:

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Entities must be registered to bid on contracts, not just grants.

• Offerors must provide a CAGE Code and Unique Entity ID in their submission.

All items, technologies, and services submitted under this CSO are treated as commercial items.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Proposals are evaluated using three primary factors:

1. Technical merit

   • How innovative the solution is.

   • Whether the solution is technically feasible.

2. Importance to agency programs

   • Whether the solution enhances the agency’s mission effectiveness.

3. Funds availability

   • Whether sufficient funding exists to procure the solution.

Solutions are more likely to succeed if they:

• Demonstrate clear innovation or a new application of existing technology.

• Show commercial viability or existing market use.

• Provide convincing evidence that the technology solves a real agency challenge.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• No classified or sensitive information may be included in submissions.

• All proposal materials must be submitted as PDFs and the combined package must be 15 MB or less.

• All prices must remain valid for at least 90 days after the response date.

• Hardcopy submissions are not accepted; submissions must be made electronically.

Additionally:

• The government may request additional documentation prior to award, including a contractor-developed Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• The government reserves the right to select none of the submissions.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The proposal package is relatively lightweight compared to many federal R&D programs.

Required components include:

• Cover Letter (max 2 pages)

• Technical Volume

  • Solution brief (max 5 pages)

  • Pitch deck (max 15 slides)

  • Optional video demonstration (max 5 minutes)

• Price Volume (no page limit)

Because of the short format and slide deck option, many companies can typically prepare a submission within a few weeks, depending on technical complexity.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps companies turn promising technologies into clear, competitive government submissions for CSO and BAA opportunities like this one.

We support clients by:

• Translating technical solutions into government-ready proposal narratives

• Developing the technical brief and pitch deck

• Positioning your solution to align with CRREL’s Areas of Interest

• Preparing the price volume and submission package

• Managing submission through the ERDCWERX portal

Our goal is to help you present your innovation in a way that clearly demonstrates technical merit and mission impact.

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.

ERDC: Construction Engineering Research Laboratory - Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) is seeking innovative commercial technologies, products, and services that support military infrastructure, energy systems, robotics, additive construction, environmental management, and facility lifecycle optimization.

This opportunity uses a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to identify promising technologies that could later receive contracts if funding becomes available.

Companies must first submit a short solution brief describing their technology. If the government determines the solution is promising and funding is available, the company may be invited to submit a full proposal and potentially receive a contract.

Solution submissions will be accepted through 5PM CST, 30 October 2026, and companies may submit at any time prior to this deadline.

How much funding would I receive?

The document states that Areas of Interest generally have no known funding specifically available, and funding may become available later through Individual Program Requirements (IPRs).

If a solution is selected and funding is available, the government may request a full proposal and proceed toward an award.

Contracts issued under this solicitation will be firm-fixed-price. Awards typically range from $500k - $5m.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding would support technologies and services aligned with ERDC-CERL mission areas. The solicitation identifies the following Areas of Interest (AOIs):

Materials and Structures

• Sustainable engineered wood, mass timber, and bio-structural building solutions

• Bio-based building insulating and finishing solutions

Installation Energy

Technologies that improve energy and water efficiency and security, including:

• Combined heat and power generation

• Fuel cells and reformers

• Renewable energy systems (wind, solar, hydropower)

• Water treatment, recycling, and storage systems

• Waste-to-energy technologies

Warfighter Engineering

• Additive construction and deployable 3D printing systems

• Autonomous material processing and construction equipment

• Robotics for engineering operations

• Autonomous terrain shaping and infrastructure inspection systems

Operational Energy

• Hybrid power systems

• Energy storage and monitoring technologies

• Power generation systems

• Energy management software and infrastructure

Training Lands and Heritage

• Natural infrastructure condition assessment

• Soil and plant monitoring systems

• Environmental analytics and forecasting tools

Sustainment Management Systems

• Facility lifecycle investment optimization tools

• Building sensor analytics and digital infrastructure management

• Risk-based decision systems for facility maintenance and modernization

Solutions may include research and development, products, technologies, or services, and they do not need to be commercially available at the time of submission.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Companies selected under this CSO may receive:

• Firm-fixed-price government contracts

• Potential use of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) if appropriate

• Collaboration with government teams to develop performance work statements (PWS) and project details

• Opportunities to demonstrate technologies through virtual or in-person demonstrations

Additionally, solutions that are technically promising but lack immediate funding may remain in the government’s library for consideration for up to three years after submission.

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

Submission deadline

Solution submissions will be accepted through 5PM CST, 30 October 2026.

Application process

Step 1 – Solution Brief Submission

Companies submit a short package including:

• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

• Technical solution brief (maximum 5 pages)

• Pitch deck (maximum 15 slides)

• Optional 5-minute video

• Pricing information

Step 2 – Government Evaluation

The government evaluates submissions based on:

• Technical merit and innovation

• Importance to agency programs

• Availability of funds

Step 3 – Request for Full Proposal (if selected)

If the solution is selected and funding is available, the government may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP).

If funding is not immediately available, the solution may be retained for consideration for up to three years.

Companies whose solutions are not selected will generally be notified within 30 days of submission.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), specifically the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL).

The program is administered under Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) authority pursuant to DFARS 212.70.

Awards may be issued using:

• FAR-based contracts

• Other Transaction agreements (OTAs)

• Other appropriate contracting vehicles

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is issued on a full and open basis, meaning companies of any size may apply.

Applicants must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov

• Have a valid UEI and CAGE code

• Be registered to bid on contracts, not just grants

Entities not properly registered in SAM at the time of award are not eligible to receive a contract.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

ERDC-CERL evaluates submissions based on three factors:

1. Technical merit and innovation

   • The solution must represent a new technology, process, method, or new application of an existing technology.

2. Importance to agency programs

   • The solution must demonstrate potential to improve the effectiveness of CERL mission areas.

3. Funding availability

The government also encourages submissions that include:

• Evidence of commercialization or market use

• Demonstrations or full-scale examples

• Visual materials such as diagrams or models

• Real-world use cases showing feasibility

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Proposals must not contain classified data or sensitive information.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• Prices must remain valid for at least 90 days after the response date.

• If the proposed solution is valued above $900,000 and the company is not a small business, the proposal must include a subcontracting plan prepared in accordance with FAR 19.704.

• The government may conduct site visits or product demonstrations, but participation does not guarantee award.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The initial submission is relatively lightweight and typically includes:

• 2-page cover letter

• 5-page solution brief

• 15-slide pitch deck

• Pricing information

• Optional 5-minute video

For most companies, preparing the initial submission typically requires a short proposal effort, though the solicitation does not specify a preparation timeline.

A more detailed proposal may be required later if the government requests a full solution proposal.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support your application by:

• Determining which Area of Interest best fits your technology

• Developing a high-impact solution brief and pitch deck

• Positioning your technology around CERL’s evaluation criteria

• Preparing the pricing volume and commercialization narrative

• Supporting any full proposal or follow-on RFP request

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

ERDC: Civil Works Strategic Focus Areas - Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is seeking innovative commercial technologies, products, and services that advance Civil Works research and development priorities across infrastructure, ecosystems, water management, sediment management, crisis preparedness, and AI-driven engineering solutions.

This opportunity is structured as a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). Companies first submit a short solution brief (maximum three pages) describing their innovation. If the government determines the concept is promising and funding becomes available, the company may be invited to submit a full proposal and receive a contract award.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis until 5PM EST, 31 December 2026, making this an ongoing opportunity for companies developing technologies relevant to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works missions.

How much funding would I receive?

The document states that:

• Strategic Focus Areas generally have no known funding specifically available at the time of submission.

• If a submitted solution is selected and funding becomes available, the government will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) that includes further details and pricing requirements.

Offerors are required to provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price estimate in the initial solution brief. Awards typically range from $500k - $5m.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may support innovative commercial technologies, products, services, or research and development efforts that advance Civil Works capabilities.

Projects must align with one of the following Strategic Focus Areas:

Infrastructure – NextGen Water Resources Infrastructure

• Robotic inspection and repair technologies

• Novel and sustainable construction materials

• Sensors and structural monitoring technologies

• Flood and seismic damage prediction and mitigation

• Advanced manufacturing and infrastructure prototyping

• Hydropower innovations

• Corrosion mitigation technologies

• Systems engineering tools for maintenance optimization

Water Modeling – Comprehensive Water Risk Management

• Integrated sensing systems for water monitoring

• Risk-informed decision support tools

• National-scale water simulation frameworks

• Modeling of compound hazards (storms, flooding, groundwater, etc.)

• Arctic environmental modeling

• Drought and groundwater interaction modeling

• Community resilience tools

Sediment Management – Innovation in Sediment Management

• Non-traditional dredging approaches

• Improved dredged material placement

• Sediment prevention technologies

• Autonomous surveying and dredging technologies

• Sediment transport modeling tools

• Real-time dredging monitoring sensors

• Coastal mapping technologies

Ecosystems – Sustainable Species Management

• Aquatic ecosystem restoration technologies

• Environmental decision-support tools

• Monitoring technologies for threatened and endangered species

• Invasive species detection and management technologies

Crisis Preparedness – Crisis Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

• Real-time crisis communication technologies

• Multi-hazard crisis modeling

• Autonomous reconnaissance systems

• Decision-support tools for disaster response

• Debris removal technologies

• Temporary power solutions for critical infrastructure

• Virtual training environments for crisis response

• Post-wildfire risk management tools

AI, Robotics, and Data – Innovative Applications of Big Data and AI

• Data engineering and automation tools

• AI-driven decision-making systems

• Cyber operational technology for infrastructure protection

• Autonomous robotics systems for infrastructure inspection and mapping

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• The opportunity to receive a government contract if a submitted solution is selected and funding becomes available.

• The possibility of direct engagement with ERDC technical teams, including solution pitches and discussions.

• Solutions may remain in the government’s electronic library for consideration for up to three years if initially selected but not funded.

Awards may be issued through FAR-based contracts or Other Transaction agreements, depending on the solution and contracting approach used.

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

Solution brief submission deadline:
5PM EST, 31 December 2026.

Key timeline steps:

1. Submit a solution brief (maximum 3 pages).

2. Government experts review submissions.

3. If promising, the government may:

   • Ask questions via email, or

   • Invite the company to present a solution pitch.

4. If the solution is selected and funding becomes available, the government will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP).

5. After the RFP, proposals will be evaluated and contracts may be awarded.

If a solution is not selected, offerors will generally be notified within 30 days of submission.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding originates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and is administered through the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).

The program supports the Civil Works mission areas, including:

• Flood risk management

• Inland and coastal navigation

• Aquatic ecosystem restoration

The CSO is authorized under a Department of Defense Class Deviation (2022-O0007) that allows the government to acquire innovative commercial solutions through a streamlined process.

Who is eligible to apply?

However, the following requirements are stated:

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to receive an award.

• The company’s address in the proposal must match the SAM registration information.

Solutions must be submitted through the ERDCWERX electronic portal.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Solutions will be evaluated based on:

• How innovative the solution is

• Feasibility of solving a government challenge

• Potential to enhance mission effectiveness

• Availability of funding

Strong proposals typically:

• Demonstrate a clear mission impact

• Provide evidence of commercialization or real-world use

• Include technical evidence, diagrams, models, or figures

• Show how the technology is new or a novel application of an existing technology

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key requirements include:

• Solution briefs must be no more than three pages.

• Submissions must follow specified formatting requirements:

  • 12-point Times New Roman

  • 1-inch margins

  • Single spaced

  • PDF format under 20 MB

• Classified or proprietary information should not be included.

• All submissions must be written in English.

All resulting contracts will be firm-fixed price, and commercial acquisition procedures will be used.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The initial submission is a three-page solution brief, which typically requires significantly less effort than a full proposal.

The solicitation does not specify preparation time requirements, but the short format suggests companies can prepare submissions relatively quickly compared to traditional federal proposals.

If selected, the government may later request a full proposal including a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Scope of Work (SOW) before award.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps companies quickly determine whether this opportunity is a strong fit and prepares competitive submissions by:

• Identifying the best strategic focus area alignment

• Crafting a clear and compelling solution brief

• Demonstrating mission relevance and innovation

• Developing the technical narrative and commercialization evidence

• Preparing companies for potential solution pitches or follow-on proposals

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.

MYSTIC DEPOT - Vendor-Agnostic AI Evaluation Infrastructure

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

Executive Summary:

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking commercial solutions for MYSTIC DEPOT: Vendor-Agnostic AI Evaluation Infrastructure, a capability to rigorously evaluate artificial intelligence systems used in national security contexts. The government wants infrastructure that can continuously test new AI models, agents, and human-AI teaming workflows against mission-specific benchmarks as AI capabilities evolve.

The solicitation closes on 2026-03-24 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time, and companies must submit a short solution brief through DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) portal before that deadline.

The government is seeking two types of capabilities:

• Evaluation Harness Infrastructure that connects AI models to benchmarks and generates standardized evaluation results.

• Benchmark Development and Methodology that defines how government-specific AI capabilities should be tested across classified and unclassified mission environments.

Prototype awards may lead directly to follow-on production contracts without further competition, which could significantly expand the size of the opportunity.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation states that awards will be issued as Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022. Awards typically range from $500k - $5m.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding would support the development and demonstration of solutions addressing one or both of the following Lines of Effort (LOE):

LOE 1: Evaluation Harness

Infrastructure that enables standardized, reproducible evaluation of AI systems.

Key capabilities include:

• Model Interface to connect diverse AI systems to the evaluation harness

• Execution Engine for orchestrating evaluation workflows

• Measurement and Scoring System for benchmarking model outputs

• Human-in-the-loop evaluation to measure performance of human-AI teams

• Output and reporting tools that export results in open, non-proprietary formats

• Continuous monitoring and analytics for ongoing model performance tracking

• Benchmark configuration management

• Simulation of degraded or denied environments (DDIL)

• Agentic AI evaluation for multi-step autonomous behavior

• Adversarial testing and red-teaming

• Multimodal evaluation including video and audio inputs

Solutions should also support:

• Modular architecture

• Containerized deployment

• Deployment across unclassified, classified cloud, and air-gapped environments

• Interoperability between evaluation infrastructure and benchmark content

• Access controls and sensitive data protection

LOE 2: Benchmark Development and Methodology

Creation of mission-relevant AI evaluation benchmarks across unclassified, secret, and top secret workflows.

Benchmark development should address:

• Mission capability requirements

• Task decomposition into measurable evaluations

• Realistic operational scenarios

• Scoring criteria and interpretability

• Baseline model performance

• Validation of reliability and fairness

• Resistance to benchmark gaming

• Ongoing benchmark maintenance

Vendors must also provide training materials so government personnel can maintain benchmarks independently.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Prototype awards may lead to direct follow-on production contracts without additional competition.

Potential follow-on activities include:

• Deployment across additional classification levels and environments

• Expansion of benchmark suites for new mission areas

• Ongoing system maintenance and capability upgrades

• Training and support for government personnel

The solicitation states that the follow-on production award may be significantly larger than the prototype OT agreement.

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

Submission deadline:
2026-03-24 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time

Application process:

1. Companies submit a solution brief through the DIU submission portal.

2. DIU reviews submissions and may invite selected companies to provide a pitch and full proposal.

3. If selected, companies will negotiate the terms of a prototype OT agreement.

The solicitation states that DIU aims to respond within 30 days if it is interested in moving forward with a pitch.

Where does this funding come from?

The opportunity is issued by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) using the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process.

Awards are made under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022, which allows the Department of Defense to issue Other Transaction (OT) agreements for prototype projects.

The solicitation references the DIU CSO HQ0845-20-S-C001, originally posted to SAM.gov on 23 March 2020.

The program is conducted in partnership with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include vendors that are eligible to receive an Other Transaction award in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022.

Companies should demonstrate expertise in areas such as:

• AI evaluation methodology

• Benchmark design and measurement

• Security testing and adversarial AI evaluation

Preferred qualifications include:

• Published research on evaluation methodologies

• Contributions to AI evaluation frameworks or benchmarks

• Collaboration with frontier AI labs

• Experience working with government AI evaluation initiatives

• Personnel with Secret clearance minimum (TS/SCI preferred) or the ability to obtain clearance

• Experience deploying systems in DoD or Intelligence Community environments

• Familiarity with national security mission contexts

• Experience evaluating human-machine teaming performance

Vendors may apply individually or in partnership.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The government is seeking solutions that demonstrate:

• Proven expertise in AI evaluation infrastructure or benchmark development

• Ability to support vendor-agnostic evaluation of diverse AI systems

• Experience deploying technology in secure government environments

• Capability to evaluate human-AI team performance

• Infrastructure that supports agentic AI evaluation, adversarial testing, and multimodal inputs

Solutions should be designed for broad applicability across government programs, rather than optimized for a single use case.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Submissions must be unclassified and contain no data above Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• Solution briefs must be PDF files under 10MB.

• Briefs should be approximately:

  • 5 pages or fewer, or

  • 15 slides or fewer.

• Vendors must comply with Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The application requires a solution brief describing your technology and how it meets the desired solution attributes.

Because the submission is limited to approximately 5 pages or 15 slides, most qualified teams can typically prepare a competitive submission within a short timeframe.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps startups and technology companies develop competitive DIU solution briefs and prototype proposals.

Support typically includes:

• Interpreting the solicitation requirements

• Positioning your technology against LOE 1 or LOE 2

• Writing and designing the solution brief

• Preparing technical narratives and evaluation plans

• Preparing teams for DIU pitch sessions

• Supporting negotiations for prototype OT agreements

Our goal is to translate your technology into language that aligns with DIU mission priorities and evaluation criteria.

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.