CDMRP: Lupus Research Program (LRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The CDMRP’s FY26 Lupus Research Program (LRP) pre-announcement signals anticipated funding opportunities supporting innovative, high-impact lupus research aimed at understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating lupus, as well as improving the quality of life for individuals living with lupus. This pre-announcement does not include application deadlines or guarantee funding — the official Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) will be posted on Grants.gov with formal deadlines and requirements. Investigators should begin planning now to align with expected FY26 mechanisms and program goals.

How much funding would I receive?

The pre-announcement outlines multiple award mechanisms with specified maximum total costs:

• Idea Award – up to $300,000 (2 years)

• Impact Award – up to $1,000,000 (4 years)

• Transformative Vision Development Award – up to $250,000 (2 years)

• Transformative Vision Award – up to $2,000,000 (4 years)

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support research aligned with one or more LRP focus areas:

Biological & Clinical Research

• Mechanisms of lupus disease and pathobiology

• Genetic, epigenetic, and gene–environment interaction studies

• Disease heterogeneity, presentations, and outcomes
  Applies to Idea & Impact Awards

Quality of Life & Intervention Studies

• Addressing social determinants of health

• Nutrition, symptom control, comparative effectiveness

• Outcomes research and patient-reported outcomes
  Applies to Impact, Transformative Vision Development, and Transformative Vision Awards

Innovative Health Care Delivery Models

• Models improving lupus outcomes
  Applies to Impact, Transformative Vision Development, and Transformative Vision Awards

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Mechanism clarity ahead of FOAs allows early planning.

• Subscribe to email updates through eBRAP for timely notifications when FOAs are released.

• Being positioned early can improve competitiveness.

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

• Pre-announcement released: February 11, 2026.

• Formal FOAs — will be posted on Grants.gov with official pre-application and full application deadlines.

• Investigators must submit a pre-application through eBRAP prior to the pre-application deadline specified in the FOAs.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act appropriated to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and managed by the Defense Health Agency Research & Development and Medical Research and Development Command (DHA R&D-MRDC).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is defined by mechanism:

• Idea Award: Investigators at or above postdoctoral level.

• Impact & Transformative Awards: Investigators at or above Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

• Team Requirements: Transformative mechanisms must include at least one lupus consumer advocate as part of the research team.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects that:

• Align tightly with the specified focus areas.

• Demonstrate high innovation and impact potential.

• Involve strong preliminary data (as required for Transformative Vision Award).

• Include meaningful involvement of lupus consumer advocates (for transformative mechanisms).

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• This pre-announcement is not a funding commitment; only the FOAs establish requirements and obligations.

• Applications cannot support clinical trials in Idea or Impact Awards; Transformative Vision Awards may support clinical trials but not animal studies.

• Transformative Vision Development Awards cannot support clinical trials or animal studies.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time depends on mechanism and complexity, but begin planning now — especially for pilot data and consumer engagement for transformative mechanisms. Historically, competitive CDMRP applications often require several weeks to months of focused preparation.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Develop alignment narratives tied to LRP focus areas.

• Assist with preliminary data framing and research strategy articulation.

• Craft strong consumer advocacy integration plans.

• Ensure conformity with CDMRP review criteria once FOAs are released.

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.