CDMRP: FY26 Orthopaedic Research Program (ORP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Orthopaedic Research Program (ORP) pre-announcement outlines anticipated funding opportunities supporting innovative, high-impact research to advance treatment and rehabilitation for orthopaedic injuries sustained during combat and service-related activities. This pre-announcement is intended to help teams plan now; it is not a promise of funding. Full Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) with submission deadlines will be posted on Grants.gov and eBRAP when released.

How much funding would I receive?

Specific award budgets and totals are not yet provided in the pre-announcement. A sampling of anticipated mechanisms includes:

• Applied Research Award – up to $950,000 total costs over up to 3 years.

• Clinical Research Award (Level 1) – up to $2,000,000 total costs (4-year max).

• Clinical Research Award (Level 2) – up to $3,200,000 total costs (4-year max).
  (Total awards by mechanism and number of awards are not specified at this stage.)

What could I use the funding for?

Projects must address one or more of the FY26 ORP focus areas, including:

• Battlefield fracture-related infection (prevention, early detection, eradication strategies).

• Composite tissue regeneration following high-energy extremity trauma.

• Ligamentous trauma treatments for musculoskeletal soft-tissue instability.

• Limb stabilization and wound protectants enabling prolonged care.

• Osseointegration outcomes for prosthetic limb interfaces.

• Return-to-duty strategies to optimize reintegration and reduce reinjury.

• Military women’s health impacts of orthopaedic care.
  Funding applies to research that improves patient function, restores mobility, and maximizes return to duty in military and service-related contexts.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The pre-announcement does not list additional benefits (e.g., mentoring, training, networking) beyond funding support.

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

• Pre-announcement release: February 24, 2026.

• FOAs release: Posted later on Grants.gov and eBRAP (dates not yet specified).

• Pre-application and application deadlines: To be included in the full FOAs.

• Funding start dates: Determined after FOA release and award negotiations (not specified).
  (All deadlines and schedules will be in the final FOAs — not provided in this pre-announcement.)

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is authorized by the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and administered by the Defense Health Agency Research and Development / Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC) through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility for each award mechanism will be defined in the full FOAs. From the pre-announcement:

• Independent investigators at all career levels are eligible for many mechanisms, particularly clinical research awards.

• Preproposal required: Some mechanisms require a preproposal through eBRAP, and full application is by invitation only.
  (Complete eligibility details — including institution types, citizenship, and cost share — will be in the FOAs and are not specified here.)

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Specific companies or project profiles most likely to win are not described in the pre-announcement. Competitive applications will align with the ORP focus areas and demonstrate potential to advance orthopaedic care in military and clinical contexts.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• The ORP will not consider applications proposing strategies infeasible in battlefield environments for fracture-related infection or tissue regeneration alone.

• The program will not consider biomarker-only research.

• Preproposal submission is required for certain mechanisms; full applications may be by invitation only.

• All submissions must comply with final FOA instructions posted on Grants.gov.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

With deadlines and FOA details not yet posted, exact preparation time cannot be stated. Given CDMRP’s typical structure, planning should begin now to develop compelling science narratives, compliance documents, and required eBRAP preproposals.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:

• Monitor FOA release dates and mechanism details.

• Translate the final FOA into a targeted application roadmap.

• Develop high-impact narrative, budget, and compliance materials.

• Guide submission strategy on eBRAP and Grants.gov.

• Support preproposal and full application review to maximize competitiveness.

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.