CDMRP: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program (TSCRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The CDMRP has issued a pre-announcement for anticipated Fiscal Year 2026 TSCRP funding opportunities to support high-impact research in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). This early notice gives researchers time to plan and refine ideas. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), including deadlines and submission details, will be posted on Grants.gov in the coming weeks. Investigators should not interpret this pre-announcement as a funding guarantee.

How much funding would I receive?

While exact award amounts are not official until FOAs are posted, the TSCRP pre-announcement outlines three mechanisms with indicative elements:

1. Clinical Translational Research Award

• Supports studies that move promising research closer to clinical application.

• Includes potential pilot clinical trials, biomarker development, and clinical endpoint work.

• Eligible PIs include independent investigators and advanced practice clinical personnel (e.g., genetic counselors, nurses) for clinical care-focused proposals.

• Maximum duration: 3 years

• Estimated total costs: up to ~$1.6M single PI / ~$1.9M with Partnering PI option (pending FOA).

2. Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award

• For high-risk, high-gain ideas in early stages.

• Study designs must be innovative but do not necessarily require preliminary data.

• Clinical subject work must meet human-subjects protection requirements.

• Maximum duration: 2 years

• Estimated total costs: up to ~$350K (pending FOA).

3. Idea Development Award

• Supports new or cross-disciplinary ideas with preliminary data.

• Includes specific options for new-to-field investigators transitioning into TSC research.

• Maximum duration: 3 years

• Estimated total costs: up to ~$800K (pending FOA).

Note: These figures and durations are as presented in the pre-announcement and may differ slightly in the final FOA.

What could I use the funding for?

Applications must address at least one of the following TSCRP priorities:

• Neuropsychiatric aspects of TSC: Understanding, preventing, and treating TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., behavioral, pharmacological, surgical interventions).

• Tumors and cysts: Preventing or eradicating TSC-related tumors such as angiomyolipomas, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), including mechanistic insights into TSC signaling pathways.

• Epilepsy associated with TSC: Prevention, improved treatment, and mitigation of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

• Diagnostic & therapeutic technologies: Development or testing of tools and technologies that improve clinical outcomes in TSC.

• Maternal-fetal & reproductive health in TSC: Mechanisms or care improvements affecting women with TSC or LAM and their infants.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

FY26 SCIRP includes an Early-Career Partnership Option across all award mechanisms, designed to:

• Encourage collaboration between established and emerging investigators.

• Provide two individual awards under a single project with separate budgets.

• Support career development while increasing research capacity.

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

Pre-announcement release: February 17, 2026

1. Formal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs): To be posted on Grants.gov and CDMRP as soon as they are finalized. Pre-applications and full application deadlines will be included in those FOAs.

2. Funding start: After application review and award selection (dates will be provided in individual FOAs).

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is authorized by the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act, which appropriated funds to the CDMRP for a wide range of research programs, including the TSCRP.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility will be defined in each FOA, but CDMRP programs typically allow:

• Independent investigators at all career levels.

• Clinical and translational researchers with relevant expertise.

• Multiple institutional types (academic, nonprofit, clinical).

(Final eligibility criteria will appear in the specific FOAs once posted.)

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive applications typically:

• Align clearly with one or more of the TSCRP focus areas.

• Show strong scientific rationale and potential for impact on TSC care or understanding.

• Include translational significance or potential to advance clinical outcomes.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• The pre-announcement is not a guarantee of funding or a FOA; investigators cannot submit applications based on it alone.

• Formal submission instructions, eligibility, and restrictions will be defined in forthcoming FOAs.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Time needed varies by project, but standard CDMRP FOAs often allow several weeks to months for:

• Letter of intent (if required).

• Pre-application submission.

• Full application preparation.

Tip: Begin early by reviewing past TSCRP FOAs and planning collaborative teams, hypotheses, and preliminary data.

How can BW&CO help?

If you need assistance with strategy, positioning against TSCRP priorities, or full proposal writing support, BW&CO can:

• Align your research aims to TSCRP’s priority areas.

• Draft compelling abstracts and narratives tailored to CDMRP review criteria.

• Provide budget and compliance support based on CDMRP rules.

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: Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP)

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

Executive Summary:

On February 17, 2026, the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) released the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) anticipated funding opportunities for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), providing researchers with key priorities and award mechanisms to plan applications ahead of full Funding Opportunity Announcements. This pre-announcement outlines the SCIRP’s research goals and award structures, including a strong emphasis on clinical, translational, and investigator-initiated research in spinal cord injury. Final Funding Opportunity Announcements with deadlines will be posted on Grants.gov once available.

How much funding would I receive?

The pre-announcement specifies award maximums for each mechanism (total costs, including direct and indirect):

• Clinical Trial Award

  • Single PI: up to $4.8M over 4 years

  • Early-Career Partnership Option: up to $4.96M over 4 years

• Clinical Translation Research Award

  • Single PI: up to $2.0M over 3 years

  • Early-Career Partnership: up to $2.16M over 3 years

• Translational Research Award

  • Single PI: up to $2.0M over 3 years

  • Early-Career Partnership: up to $2.16M over 3 years

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award

  • Single PI: up to $800,000 over 3 years

  • Early-Career Partnership: up to $960,000 over 3 years

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports research that advances spinal cord injury (SCI) understanding, treatment, and care across four major areas:

• Acute Injury Intervention

  • Develop and test interventions to protect spinal cord tissue after injury with measurable neurological benefit.

• Secondary Health Effects

  • Research interventions addressing long-term consequences of SCI across the lifespan.

• Psychosocial Issues

  • Test strategies for promoting psychosocial well-being tailored to people with SCI and their families/care partners.

• Rehabilitation and Regeneration

  • Advance rehabilitation strategies and regenerative/neuroplastic approaches for improved functional recovery.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

FY26 SCIRP includes an Early-Career Partnership Option across all award mechanisms, designed to:

• Encourage collaboration between established and emerging investigators.

• Provide two individual awards under a single project with separate budgets.

• Support career development while increasing research capacity.

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

Pre-Announcement (released): February 17, 2026.

Next Steps:

• Full Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) will be posted on Grants.gov and contain specific pre-application and application deadlines.

• Applicants must submit a pre-application (via eBRAP) prior to the full application.

• Funding awards start after review and final selection dates in the FOAs. (Exact dates not yet published.)

Where does this funding come from?

SCIRP is part of the CDMRP, a Department of Defense research portfolio funded through the Defense Appropriations Act. For FY26, the CDMRP received appropriations to fund 34 research programs including SCIRP.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility varies by award mechanism, but in general:

• Independent investigators at all career levels are eligible for single PI awards.

• Early-Career Partnership Option requires one early-career investigator meeting defined experience criteria.

Specific eligibility criteria and organizational requirements will be detailed in the FOAs. al relevance.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects most competitive will:

• Directly address one or more SCIRP priority research areas.

• Demonstrate scientific impact, innovation, and relevance to SCI outcomes.

• Include clear paths to clinical or translational impact (as specified by mechanism).

• (For Early-Career Partnership) show strong mentorship and collaborative planning.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Pre-applications are required before full applications.

• All research must conform to final FOA requirements once released.

• Funding opportunity terms, budgets, eligible costs, and indirect cost policies will be specified in FOAs.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time depends on research maturity and team readiness, but investigators should factor in:

• Time to align research with SCIRP priorities.

• Drafting a competitive pre-application (often weeks before FOA deadlines).

• Preparing full application (including budgets, human subjects, partnerships).
  (SCIRP pre-announcement is intended to give applicants advance planning time.)

How can BW&CO help?

If you need assistance with strategy, positioning against SCIRP priorities, or full proposal writing support, BW&CO can:

• Align your research aims to SCIRP’s priority areas.

• Draft compelling abstracts and narratives tailored to CDMRP review criteria.

• Provide budget and compliance support based on CDMRP rules.

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.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food & Agricultural Systems (A1712) – USDA NIFA

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

Executive Summary:

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding up to $300,000 for extension and integrated (extension + applied research) projects that address urgent impacts of recent weather-related disasters on agricultural production systems, food supply chains, and rural communities. Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. Awards support 12-month rapid deployment projects.

How much funding is available?

Maximum award: $300,000 (including indirect costs). Grant duration: 12 months. Grant types: Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) only. Project types: Extension or Integrated (extension + applied research) only.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports rapid, solution-driven efforts that address impacts from naturally occurring weather hazards such as heat, drought, wildfires, tornados, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, and blizzards.

1. Producer Stabilization & Extension Deployment

Projects that deliver rapid extension programs, technical assistance, and training to farmers, ranchers, and producers impacted by recent weather disasters.

Examples:

·        On-farm technical assistance and recovery protocols

·        Thermal stress mitigation strategies for livestock

·        Drought management tools for crop producers

·        Emergency feed or input optimization guidance

2. Tools & Technology for Rapid Adoption

Projects implementing tools and technologies that can be deployed within 90 days to mitigate disaster impacts.

·        Decision-support software for weather adaptation

·        Remote sensing or monitoring systems

·        Precision irrigation or water conservation technologies

·        Emergency disease or pest monitoring systems triggered by extreme weather

3. Supply Chain & Food System Resilience

Projects addressing disruptions across production, processing, distribution, and food safety logistics caused by weather events.

·        Alternative distribution models during disaster recovery

·        Cold chain stabilization strategies

·        Regional food access logistics

·        Processing infrastructure recovery support

4. Community & Rural Impact Mitigation

Projects supporting individuals, families, and communities to buffer disaster impacts and maintain safe, nutritious, and accessible food supplies.

·        Community resilience planning

·        Localized disaster-response communication strategies

·        Rapid recovery outreach programs

·        Food access coordination in affected regions

At least one activity must be implemented within 90 days of award, and all deliverables must be completed within 12 months.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a USDA AFRI Rapid Response award:

·        Federal validation tied to disaster resilience and food system stabilization

·        Positioning as a trusted partner for state and regional recovery efforts

·        Strengthened credibility with producers and agricultural stakeholders

·        Non-dilutive capital that extends runway during market uncertainty

·        Enhanced positioning for future USDA and federal resilience funding opportunities

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

• Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. No Letter of Intent is required. Application review and processing are expedited to ensure timely project startup. Awards have a 12-month performance period.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from Congressional appropriations to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Assistance Listing: 10.310.

Who is eligible to apply?

·        Colleges and universities

·        State Agricultural Experiment Stations

·        University research foundations

·        Federal agencies and national laboratories

·        Private organizations and corporations

·        Eligible individuals (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents)

·        Consortia of eligible entities

Foreign and international organizations are not eligible as primary applicants.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

·        Projects clearly tied to a recent documented weather event

·        Strong justification of urgency and stakeholder need

·        Solutions deployable within 90 days of award

·        High likelihood of rapid adoption by producers or food system operators

·        Clearly defined geographic scope linked to the disaster impact

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

·        Budget requests exceeding $300,000 will not be reviewed.

·        Projects must focus on short-term, urgent disaster response.

·        At least one deliverable must occur within 90 days of award.

·        All projects must include a data management plan.

·        If applied research is commodity-specific and not national in scope, matching funds may be required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Due to the 45-day submission window, preparation timelines are compressed. Competitive applications typically require 3–6 weeks of focused development, including event documentation, stakeholder justification, and rapid deployment planning.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Flat fee pricing available upon request.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

CDMRP: Arthritis Research Program (ATRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) has released its anticipated funding opportunities for Fiscal Year 2026, funded through the Department of Defense’s FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and managed by the CDMRP. This pre-announcement is meant to help investigators prepare competitive proposals ahead of the official Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). Deadlines for pre-applications and full applications will be included in the upcoming FOAs on Grants.gov once released.

How much funding would I receive?

While the total program budget for ATRP isn’t specified in the pre-announcement itself, the FY26 DoD appropriations provide funding for the ATRP as part of a broader portfolio that includes a ~$10 M allocation for arthritis research.

Per award (anticipated levels):

• Clinical Research Award

  • Research Level 1: Up to $1.3 M total costs over up to 4 years.

  • Research Level 2: Up to $3.25 M total costs over up to 4 years.

• Translational Research Award

  • Up to $800,000 total costs over up to 3 years.
    All awards count direct + indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is structured to support clinically relevant arthritis research:

Prevention & Early Diagnosis

• Identify factors predicting disease onset/progression

• Develop technologies or solutions for arthritis prevention.

Treatment & Burden Mitigation

• Topic 1: Evaluate interventions or strategies that alleviate pain/symptoms, improve function, address psychosocial factors, comorbidities, or pathologic disease burden.

• Topic 2: Develop new solutions targeting similar multifactorial elements of arthritis.

Translated into potential research areas:

• Pilot studies or full clinical trials (clinical research)

• Translational projects moving discoveries toward clinical application (without supporting clinical trials)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Being part of a CDMRP program provides two-tier review with both scientific and programmatic relevance evaluation (via eBRAP/Grants.gov processes).

• Opportunities to influence care and policy with clinically actionable outputs.

• Access to broader CDMRP support resources and network.

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

• This is a pre-announcement only. Formal FOAs with pre-application and full application deadlines will be posted to Grants.gov and eBRAP later.

• Funding timeline (award start to end) aligns with award type (up to 3–4 years).

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act, via the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), managed through the Defense Health Agency Research and Development Command (DHA R&D-MRDC).

Who is eligible to apply?

• Independent investigators at all academic levels or equivalents can apply for all award types.

• Clinical awards expect research aligned with program focus areas.

• Translational awards require preliminary data and aim to move findings toward clinical relevance.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Likely competitive applicants will:

• Address prevention, early diagnosis, treatment efficacy, or multifactorial burden mitigation of arthritis.

• Show strong preliminary data, especially for translational and clinical research.

• Demonstrate clinical relevance and potential to improve patient outcomes.

• Include multidisciplinary teams with community collaborators (patients/care partners) for applicability.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Pre-announcement is not a funding obligation or contract — final requirements and eligibility criteria will be defined in FOAs.

• Clinical trials require appropriate planning and justification.

• Applications for clinical research must include relevant preliminary/published data.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• Preparation timelines vary by mechanism:

  • Clinical Research Awards may take months to draft due to data, design, and collaborator requirements.

  • Translational Awards also require solid preliminary evidence.

  • Plan ahead for eBRAP pre-applications and revision cycles before full submission. (Recommended: map to FOA deadlines once published.)

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO could support you by:

• Interpret the FOA once published and align your research to program priorities.

• Develop competitive research and budget narratives.

• Coordinate pre-application eBRAP submission and compliance checks.

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: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The CDMRP Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) released a pre-announcement on February 13, 2026 outlining anticipated FY26 funding opportunities. This pre-announcement is not a funding solicitation — rather, it gives investigators advanced insight to begin planning and developing ideas ahead of the full Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to be posted later on Grants.gov and eBRAP. Actual deadlines (pre-application and application) will only be available in the final FOAs once they are released — this pre-announcement does not set them.

How much funding would I receive?

The pre-announcement lists maximum allowable funding by mechanism (total costs):

• Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award: up to $1.0M over up to 3 years

• Pilot Clinical Trial Award: up to $2.8M over up to 3 years

• Therapeutic Development Award: up to $2.0M over up to 3 years

• Therapeutic Idea Award: up to $840,000 over up to 2 years

Final program appropriations for ALSRP in FY26 are part of the CDMRP portfolio; historically this has been in the tens of millions — for example, FY25 saw ~$40M allocated.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports distinct research areas that align with ALS therapeutic development and clinical impact:

A) Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award

• Develop/validate clinical outcomes or biomarkers to improve ALS clinical trials.

• May include clinician-, observer-, or patient-reported measures and performance outcomes.

• Supports non-interventional biospecimen/data collection (may be parallel to ongoing trials).

B) Pilot Clinical Trial Award

• Early-stage clinical trials with therapeutic efficacy or biological outcome measures.

• Therapeutic interventions must incorporate biomarker-driven designs.

C) Therapeutic Development Award

• Preclinical validation / IND-enabling studies of ALS therapeutics with proof-of-concept data.

• Biomarker development included to support future clinical design.

D) Therapeutic Idea Award

• Novel, high-risk/high-gain hypothesis-driven research aimed at ALS therapy discovery.

• Must include biomarker rationale relevant to eventual clinical trials.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The pre-announcement itself does not specify additional benefits such as training supplements, travel, or workshops. Historically, CDMRP programs may offer resources like investigator workshops and programmatic feedback, but this will be detailed in the final FOAs.

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

• Current status: This is a pre-announcement — exact pre-application and application deadlines will be in the forthcoming FOAs on Grants.gov.

• Recommendation: Begin planning now; monitor CDMRP and Grants.gov for FOA release.

• Funding start dates and award notifications will depend on those FOA schedules.

Where does this funding come from?

The ALSRP is funded through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and administered by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs under the Defense Health Agency Research and Development / Medical Research and Development Command.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility across mechanisms typically includes independent investigators at all academic levels, or equivalent. Specific institutional eligibility and PI requirements will be defined in the FOAs.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive applicants are those who:

• Align closely with the intent and scope of each mechanism (clinical outcomes, biomarker rigor, early trials, or therapeutic innovation).

• Propose biomarker-driven strategies that clearly inform later-stage clinical development.

• Build strong community collaboration plans, such as including patient/care partner perspectives.

Final criteria will be in FOA evaluation sections.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Restrictions noted in the pre-announcement include:

• Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award does not support interventional clinical trials.

• Therapeutic Idea Award proposals focusing primarily on basic pathophysiology without therapeutic development are not in scope.

• All mechanisms require preproposal submission via eBRAP; full applications are by invitation only.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The prep time depends on research maturity, but competitive proposals will typically require:

• Development of a biomarker plan or clinical trial design where applicable.

• Preliminary data for Therapeutic Development scale.

• Engagement of community collaborators early.

Start now — ahead of FOA release — to coordinate team, core facilities, preliminary work, and collaborations.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO could support you by:

• Interpreting the final FOAs when released with deadlines and criteria.

• Drafting and refining preproposals and full applications for each mechanism.

• Crafting compelling narrative aligned with CDMRP’s two-tier review process.

• Identifying required biospecimen, clinical, and biomarker components to strengthen 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.

CDMRP: Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has released a pre-announcement for the FY26 Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP), outlining anticipated funding opportunities. This pre-announcement allows investigators to begin planning competitive proposals ahead of the formal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) that will be posted on Grants.gov. Applications will be required to address one or more OCRP priority areas, including novel therapies, early detection, quality of life/survivorship, prevention, and basic ovarian cancer biology. Deadlines for pre-applications and full applications will be provided in the FOAs once published.

How much funding would I receive?

Final funding levels and award amounts will be defined in the FY26 FOAs; estimates from similar past OCRP mechanisms include:

• Clinical Trial Award: Up to $2.8M total costs (max) over up to 4 years

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award: Up to $1.05M (single PI) or $1.4M (Partnering PI) over 4 years

• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: Up to $1.125M total costs over 4 years

• Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: Up to $1.4M total costs over 4 years

• Pilot Award: Up to $350,000 total costs over 2 years

These figures reflect anticipated ceilings based on FY25 mechanisms and are subject to confirmation in the FY26 FOAs.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports ovarian cancer research aligned with program priorities:

• Clinical trials and translational research

• Proof-of-concept through early phase studies with potential to impact patient care.

• High-impact investigator-driven research

• Basic through translational research (excluding clinical trials under certain mechanisms).

• Early-career investigator development and mentoring

• Interactive training academies for research and clinical trial skills.

• Innovation and preliminary discovery

• Pilot research to generate data for larger projects.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond funding, OCRP mechanisms like the Academy awards provide:

• Mentoring and networking opportunities for early-career researchers.

• Structured professional development through virtual academy experiences.

• Enhanced visibility within the ovarian cancer research community.

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

• Application deadlines: Not yet published in the FY26 pre-announcement; FOAs with specific dates will be posted on Grants.gov once released.

• Pre-application & full application deadlines: Will be included in FOAs.

• Award start dates: After review and programmatic selection; typical NIH/DOD timing suggests awards may begin late in FY26 or early FY27, depending on FOA timelines.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act as part of the DoD’s CDMRP portfolio. OCRP is one of the congressionally directed research programs funded by federal appropriations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility typically aligns with CDMRP standards:

• Independent investigators (Assistant Professor level or equivalent and above) for most mechanisms.

• Early-career investigators for Academy awards (within defined years of training completion).

• Postdoctoral and clinical fellows for Pilot awards.

Specific eligibility criteria will be detailed in the FY26 FOAs.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive submissions will:

• Address one or more OCRP areas of emphasis (e.g., early detection, novel therapies, quality of life).

• Demonstrate clinical relevance or strong scientific rationale.

• Present clear pathways to impact ovarian cancer outcomes.

• Align with funding mechanism intent (e.g., ECI development for academy awards).

Projects with rigorous design, transformative potential, and relevance to patient populations are most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Examples based on past OCRP announcements:

• Some mechanisms do not support clinical trials (e.g., Investigator-Initiated Research Award, Pilot Award).

• Applicants may only receive one award per funding cycle from certain mechanisms.

• Pre-application submission is required before full application.

• Investigator eligibility windows apply for early-career awards.

Full restrictions will be in the FY26 FOAs.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time depends on mechanism, but investigators should plan for:

• 8–12 weeks to develop scientific aims, budgets, and letters.

• Additional time if data generation or collaborations are needed.

Starting now will position teams to respond quickly when FOAs are released.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Interpret OCRP priority areas and align research plans.

• Draft compelling proposals and strong scientific narratives.

• Coordinate submission timelines and compliance packages.

• Support budget and team planning for each mechanism.

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: Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Fiscal Year 2026 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) pre-announcement was released by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) on February 12, 2026. This pre-announcement signals anticipated funding opportunities aimed at high-impact research to prevent, detect, and resolve Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases that affect Service Members, Veterans, families, and the general public. Funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) — including pre-application and full application deadlines — have not yet been released and must be monitored on Grants.gov and eBRAP.

How much funding would I receive?

Award-specific maximums from the pre-announcement:

• Idea Development Award – Up to $800,000 total costs over up to 3 years.

• Idea Development Award – Career Development Option – Up to $550,000 total costs over up to 3 years.

• Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award – Up to $1,325,000 total costs over up to 3 years.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is intended to support innovative, high-impact research addressing tick-borne diseases. The pre-announcement defines mechanism-specific focus areas:

A) Idea Development Award

Pathogenesis

• Assess interactions among tick-borne pathogens (emphasis Lyme and co-infections)

• Study persistent clinical manifestations (neurologic symptoms encouraged)

• Studies on maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, congenital infections

Treatment

• Proof-of-concept for novel therapeutics or repurposing existing compounds

• Target identification/validation and early refinement of therapeutic candidates

Diagnosis

• Development/optimization of improved diagnostics for:

  • Single or multiple tick-borne pathogens (priority on direct detection of Borrelia burgdorferi)

  • Distinguish active Lyme infection from past exposure

  • Detect/diagnose maternal-to-fetal transmission, including relevant animal models

B) Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award

• Treatment – Evaluation/refinement of therapeutic candidates, including PK/PD and toxicology; designed to advance early/preclinical drug development.

• Diagnosis – Validation of novel diagnostics capable of single or multi-pathogen detection, distinguishing active from past infection, and detecting maternal-to-fetal transmission pathways.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• The program explicitly supports career development options for early-career investigators (with mentorship).

• Pre-application requirements and peer review support transparency in mechanism expectations.

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

• Application deadlines: Not yet released. The pre-announcement states that FOAs containing specific pre-application and application deadlines will be posted on Grants.gov and through the eBRAP portal once available.

• Funding start: After successful review, awards typically begin in the fiscal year following announcement (FY26), but exact start dates are not yet published.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding for TBDRP is provided by the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, and administered by the Defense Health Agency Research and Development / Medical Research and Development Command (CDMRP).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility varies by mechanism. From the pre-announcement:

• Independent investigators at all career levels are eligible for many mechanisms.

• Career Development Option has specific requirements:

  • PI must be within 10 years of terminal degree (with exceptions for residency/family leave)

  • Mentor must be experienced (≥5 year track record in tick-borne disease research)

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects that are highly innovative, directly related to the defined focus areas, and translational in nature (with clear clinical relevance) are likely to be competitive. Specifically:

• Approaches that address persistent Lyme disease, novel diagnostics, and novel therapeutic strategies

• Research that demonstrates strong rationale or preliminary data aligned with CDCMRP priorities

• Early-career investigators partnered with experienced mentors (for Career Development Option)

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Clinical trials cannot be supported under these mechanisms; human studies are permitted where applicable.

• Full application submission is by invitation only after pre-proposal review.

• Mechanism‐specific eligibility and focus area alignment are strict and will be enforced in the FOA.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time varies significantly by mechanism and institutional support, but given the requirement for pre-proposals, preliminary data, and alignment with specific focus areas, investigators should plan for 6–12 weeks of preparation once the FOA is released. This accounts for drafting, internal review, and compliance checks prior to pre-application submission.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:

• Interpret and map your research to specific TBDRP focus areas

• Develop pre-proposal drafts and strategic research narratives

• Identify data needs and plan for compliant application packages

• Coordinate mentor relationships for career development submissions

• Set milestones to meet pre-application and full application deadlines

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: Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) is anticipated to issue multiple funding opportunities to accelerate impactful research in pancreatic cancer, spanning early detection, supportive care, risk characterization, access to care, metabolic dysregulation, tumor development, biomarkers, and new therapeutics. Investigators should begin planning now—formal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), deadlines, and application requirements will be posted on Grants.gov once released. This pre-announcement does not obligate funding but signals that awards will be available in FY26.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding varies by mechanism:

• Focused Pilot Award: Up to $300,000 total costs over up to 2 years.

• Idea Development Award: Up to $700,000 total costs over up to 3 years (standard) or $950,000 total costs with Partnering PI Option.

• Translational Research Partnership Award: Up to $1.1 million total costs over up to 3 years.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports research that directly addresses one or more of the following PCARP Focus Areas:

Scientific & Clinical Focus Areas

• Early detection research

• Identification and characterization of risk

• Supportive care, quality of life, and patient perspectives

• Healthcare access barriers and care delivery challenges

• Metabolic disruptions (including diabetes, cachexia)

• Tumor development from precursor lesions to metastasis

• Biomarkers for response prediction and management strategies

• Novel therapeutic targets and approaches

Each award mechanism may have specific constraints on what types of work it can support (e.g., some do not fund clinical trials or basic research).

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Early insight into programmatic priorities via this pre-announcement.

• Access to eBRAP system for managing pre-applications.

• Email subscription updates when official FOAs are released.

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

• Pre-announcement published: February 12, 2026.

• Official FOAs: To be posted on Grants.gov (dates not yet announced).

• Submission Deadlines: Will be specified in each FOA (pre-application and full application deadlines).

• Funding Start: Following review, award negotiation, and execution (typical CDMRP cycle timing, exact months TBD).

Where does this funding come from?

PCARP is funded through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and managed within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command (DHA R&D-MRDC) as part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility depends on the award mechanism:

• Focused Pilot Award: Investigators at any career level, including postdoctoral and clinical fellows.

• Idea Development Award: Independent investigators at any career stage; early-career investigators may partner with experienced PIs.

• Translational Research Partnership Award: Independent investigators; postdoctoral/clinical fellows are not eligible.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects most competitive for PCARP will:

• Directly address one or more specified focus areas with strong scientific rationale.

• Demonstrate innovation and potential impact on pancreatic cancer outcomes.

• Align with mechanism goals (e.g., pilot studies for early-stage ideas, partnerships for translational work).

• Include appropriate preliminary data when required.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Focused Pilot Award: No basic research, pre-clinical animal studies, or clinical trials.

• Idea Development & Translational Awards: Clinical trials and some animal work may be restricted or defined in FOA; check carefully.

• Pre-proposal or letter of intent submission is required prior to full application for many mechanisms.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Time depends on mechanism and data readiness:

• Focused Pilot Award: Plan ~4–8 weeks for a competitive pre-application and research plan.

• Idea Development & Translational Awards: With required preliminary data, plan ~8–16+ weeks to assemble data, collaborators, and a strong proposal.

Start early given the expected complexity of CDMRP applications.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:

• Interpret future FOA requirements and priorities.

• Structure pre-applications/letters of intent for maximum impact.

• Craft narrative, budget justification, and compliance sections.

• Align scientific aims with program focus areas to increase 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.

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.

CDMRP: Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP), managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), has released a Pre-Announcement for anticipated Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding opportunities to support innovative, high-impact research aimed at ending breast cancer for Service Members, Veterans, their families, and the general public. This pre-announcement is intended to let investigators plan and develop proposals before the full Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) are posted on Grants.gov. The government does not guarantee awards based on this document alone. FOA release dates, pre-application, and application deadlines will be announced on Grants.gov and eBRAP. Driven investigators should begin conceptualizing competitive approaches immediately.

How much funding would I receive?

The Pre-Announcement outlines anticipated award types with specified maximum total costs for FY26:

Breakthrough Award

• Level 1: up to $750,000 (single PI) or $1.25M (partnering PIs)

• Level 2: up to $1.65M (single PI) or $2.5M (partnering PIs)

• Population Science (Level 2): up to $2.5M (single) or $3.35M (partnering)

• Level 3: up to $5.6M (single) or $7M (partnering)

• Level 4: up to $21M
  (Breakthrough Awards range from early high-risk ideas to transformative approaches.)

Other Anticipated Mechanisms

• Era of Hope Scholar Award: up to $4.9M

• Clinical Research Extension Award: up to $7M (single) / $8.4M (partnering)

• Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award: up to $35M

• Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Development Award: up to $140,000
  (These awards support early-career investigators, ongoing clinical research, and large multi-project consortia.)

What could I use the funding for?

Funded research must address one or more overarching challenges critical to ending breast cancer:

Topic Areas / Research Aims

• Primary prevention of breast cancer

• Determinants of initiation, risk, or susceptibility

• Distinguishing lethal vs. non-lethal tumors

• Solutions to overdiagnosis/overtreatment

• Pathways driving tumor growth and metastasis

• Mechanisms of dormancy and lethal recurrence

• More effective, less toxic treatments

• Reducing mortality from metastatic disease

Mechanism-Specific Uses

• Breakthrough Awards: high-risk/high-reward or translation-focused research

• Era of Hope Scholar Award: early-career leadership and innovation

• Clinical Research Extension: extending clinical data collection and analysis

• Consortium Awards: integrated multi-project collaborations toward transformative goals

(Mechanism scopes will be confirmed in the FOAs.)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Participating teams may benefit from:

• Collaborative frameworks with consumer advocates required on some mechanisms

• Access to eBRAP support and templates for submission guidance

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

• Pre-Announcement Released: February 2026 (no exact FOA deadlines yet)

• FOAs and deadlines: Will be posted on Grants.gov and eBRAP once finalized.

• Plan: Prepare project concepts now; watch Grants.gov and eBRAP for pre-application and application due dates, which may be weeks to months after FOA publication. Award start dates typically follow after review and appropriation obligations.

Where does this funding come from?

This funding is provided by the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act under the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, specifically appropriated for breast cancer research.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility varies by mechanism but generally includes:

• Investigators at all academic levels or equivalent (Breakthrough, Clinical Extension)

• Independent investigators (higher level awards)

• Teams including consumer advocates for specified awards

• Exact eligibility will be detailed in each FOA.

(Final eligibility criteria are determined in the FOAs.)

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive proposals typically:

• Address key overarching challenges defined by BCRP

• Demonstrate innovation, clinical relevance, and impact

• Include translational pathways or transformative potential

• Meet mechanism-specific expectations (e.g., data access plans, interdisciplinary teams)

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• This pre-announcement is not a FOA and does not guarantee funding.

• Final applications must conform to Grants.gov FOAs once released.

• Mechanism specific limits on clinical trials and preliminary data requirements will be in each FOA.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time varies by project complexity, but given the breadth of mechanisms and expected competitive standards, begin planning now while awaiting FOAs:

• Concept refinement: ~2–4 weeks

• Team assembly & consumer advocate engagement: ~2–6 weeks

• Budget & prelim data planning: ~4–8+ weeks depending on scope

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can assist with:

• Translating BCRP FOA language into tailored project responses

• Drafting narrative, budget justification, and impact sections

• Aligning your concept with mechanism-specific review criteria

• Incorporating consumer review perspectives where required

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.

Administration for Community Living (ACL): Caregiver AI Challenge

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

Executive Summary:

The Caregiver AI Challenge is a new federal prize competition launched by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to accelerate practical, ethical, and scalable AI technologies that support caregivers—including family, friends, and direct care workers—across the U.S. Caregiving demands are rising dramatically, and this challenge seeks tools that reduce caregiver burden, improve quality of care, and strengthen workforce systems. Phase 1 of the competition is open for applications now, with a Phase 1 deadline of July 31, 2026 for submissions.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total Phase 1 funding pool: up to $2.5 million across prizes for winners.

• Phase 1 prizes: Up to 10 awards of up to $100,000 each per track.

• Additional merit prizes up to $50,000 for targeted focus areas (e.g., dementia support, interoperability, partnerships).

• Subsequent phases will have additional prizes (to be announced).

What could I use the funding for?

Caregiver Support Tools (Track 1)

• AI technologies that assist home caregivers with daily tasks.

• Tools that improve scheduling, monitoring, communication, safety, documentation reduction, or training support.

Workforce Support Tools (Track 2)

• AI solutions that help home care employers and networks improve efficiency, task automation, staff scheduling, recruitment/retention, and training systems.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Public recognition and validation of your technology within federal aging/disability networks.

• Technical assistance and access to federal and non-federal partners during phases.

• Potential momentum toward commercialization, scaling, and follow-on opportunities.

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

• Phase 1 application deadline: July 31, 2026 (established in press coverage).

• Winners for Phase 1 are selected after the application review following that deadline.

• Funding is typically paid out after phase awards are announced and eligibility requirements are met.

Where does this funding come from?

This is a federal prize competition administered by the ACL within HHS and conducted under the America COMPETES Act, aimed at catalyzing innovation in caregiving through responsible AI technologies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Individuals, teams, or organizations of any type may apply as long as they comply with competition eligibility.

1. Applicants must be 18 or older.

2. U.S. citizens/permanent residents are eligible to win prizes; non-U.S. participants can participate but cannot receive prize awards.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Likely winners will propose AI solutions that:

• Are already at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ≥ 3 with concrete design and use cases.

• Demonstrate strong human-centered design with caregiver input.

• Show potential to improve caregiving safety, reduce burden, or extend workforce capabilities.

• Align with responsible AI principles (privacy, accountability, transparency, safety).

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Federal employees/involved parties and federal entities cannot win.

• Solutions must directly address caregiver challenges (not tangential AI tech).

• Must respect competition responsible AI design principles (e.g., privacy, dignity, user control).

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time will vary based on the maturity of your AI tool; typical steps include:

• Defining caregiver problems and solution design (expert interviews).

• Documenting technology readiness and evidence of impact.

• Drafting implementation/testing plans that integrate caregiver/user feedback.
  Expect several weeks to months of preparation for a competitive submission.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Translate the competition’s priorities into compelling narrative Q&A (aligned with HHS goals).

• Map your technology’s current progress to the Phase 1 judging criteria.

• Assist with application drafting to emphasize caregiver impact and responsible AI design.

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.

DIU: Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike (RIMES)

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

Executive Summary:

This is a DIU Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) that invites companies with novel unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of providing long-range strike support for naval surface combatants—without relying on large runways or flight decks—to submit a solution. It is a fast, flexible path to a prototype Other Transaction (OT) award that could potentially lead to follow-on production contracts across the U.S. Department of Defense. Proposals are due February 27, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time.

How much funding would I receive?

The DIU CSO does not specify a fixed award amount on the posting. Instead, selected vendors typically negotiate a prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement. Funding levels vary based on solution complexity and scope, and successful prototype awards can lead to larger follow-on production arrangements.

What could I use the funding for?

You may propose funding for:

• Technical development of a long-range UAS capability that meets the challenge criteria

• Prototyping of vehicle hardware, autonomy software, and integration with naval systems

• Test, evaluation, and demonstration efforts

• Integration and safety risk reduction activities

• Personnel, materials, subcontractors, and other direct costs aligned with system delivery and prototype execution

DIU’s focus is mission-relevant prototyping that can be transitioned rapidly to DoD users.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

If your prototype is successful:

• You may be considered for follow-on production contracts or agreements that do not require further competitive procedures, under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f).

• DIU’s CSO process provides strategic exposure and faster contracting than traditional DoD pathways.

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

Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern — submit solution brief by this time.

After submission:

• DIU reviews briefs and may invite you to pitch or submit a full proposal.

• Prototype OT awards are typically executed weeks to a few months after selection, depending on evaluations and negotiations.

Where does this funding come from?

This solicitation is run by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — a Department of Defense organization that accelerates commercial technology adoption for national security missions. It uses Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to award prototype agreements directly to commercial tech companies.

Who is eligible to apply?

• U.S. and foreign owned businesses are generally eligible; eligibility specifics are governed by the broader CSO requirements.

• Companies must register in SAM.gov and obtain a CAGE code prior to award if not already registered.

• A CMMC Level 2 (Self) cybersecurity posture is required before award.

DIU encourages commercial entities of all sizes — including first-time defense contractors — to submit solutions.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Strong candidates will offer a UAS that:

• Operates without runways or large flight decks

• Has ≥1400 NM one-way range with a ~1000-lb payload of standard naval munitions

• Integrates with existing combat systems

• Demonstrates mission autonomy and resilience in contested environments

• Offers cost-effective, maintainable, and scalable approaches

• Supports rapid prototyping and field demonstration within 12 months

Projects that show technical maturity, clear operational benefit, and transition readiness are most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Solutions must meet DIU CSO format and content requirements, typically not exceeding five pages or fifteen slides.

• CMMC Level 2 (Self) compliance is required before award.

• Any award will include compliance with applicable laws such as Section 889 NDAA requirements.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• A compliant Solution Brief should take a few weeks of focused effort to develop, including company overview, technical description, risk assessment, and linkage to challenge attributes.

• For competitive positioning, start well before the deadline to refine mission relevance and prototype feasibility.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:
• Translate your technical capabilities into a competitive DIU solution brief.
• Strategize on Line of Effort selection and demo readiness.
• Prepare compliance documentation and security coordination plans.
• Draft a high-impact live demonstration plan that aligns with DIU and DoD expectations.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have an hourly rate to strategize, review, and edit applications of $250.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

DIU: Counter UAS Sensing for Homeland and Mobile Defense

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

Executive Summary:

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) seeks commercial sensing solutions to detect, track, and classify small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for fixed homeland defense and mobile tactical use. This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is urgent due to evolving UAS threats, and responses are due by February 26, 2026 at 23:59:59 US Eastern Time. Selected companies may be invited to a Phase 2 live demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground (AZ) in Spring 2026 — at the company’s expense — making quick readiness and regulatory compliance essential.

How much funding would I receive?

DIU does not list a specific award amount on the submission page. As a CSO, funding typically depends on the solution’s relevance and negotiation between DIU, the DoD sponsor, and the vendor — often structured as an Other Transaction (OT) prototyping agreement. Follow-on production awards can be significantly larger if the prototype is successful.

What could I use the funding for?

Prototypes should deliver scalable, survivable, life-saving sUAS sensing capabilities in two categories:
• Line of Effort 1 — Homeland Defense Sensing:

• Persistent fixed-site sensing near population centers and congested airspace.

• Must include a radar sensor with high-performance detection, tracking, and classification.
  • Line of Effort 2 — Mobile Tactical Sensing:

• Resilient, low-signature systems that operate stationary and on-the-move in GNSS-denied or contested environments.
  Proposals must demonstrate technical performance, integration paths, and operational readiness.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Rapid engagement with the U.S. Department of Defense through DIU’s CSO process.
• Potential transition to follow-on production contracts without further competition if your prototype meets success criteria under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f) authority.
• Exposure to DoD partners and Program Managers at demonstration events (e.g., Yuma Proving Ground).

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

• Solution briefs due: February 26, 2026 @ 23:59:59 US Eastern Time.
• Phase 2 live demonstration: Planned for Spring 2026 at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ.
Funding awards are typically announced after Phase 1 evaluation and negotiation, which can occur within DIU’s standard 60-90 day CSO window once a solution is selected for full proposal submission.

Where does this funding come from?

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and administered by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) through its Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, leveraging Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

Who is eligible to apply?

Any commercial entity or individual with a mature sensing solution or applicable commercial-ready technology can respond. DIU encourages both established defense contractors and nontraditional vendors to submit.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitively favored proposals will:
• Address either or both LOEs fully and clearly.
• Demonstrate proven sensing performance (e.g., range, tracking, classification).
• Provide integration paths with DoD systems and readiness for live demonstration.
• Be commercially mature or near production — especially for Homeland Defense sensing.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• If selected for live demonstrations, companies must coordinate security protocols (varies for U.S. vs. non-U.S. citizens) and supply a DD Form 1494 with the Phase 1 proposal.

• Proposals must comply with DoD cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., RMF and ATO).

• Nontraditional defense contractors may enable faster OT awards; traditional contractors might need a cost share per DIU CSO rules.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Expect 2–6 weeks to prepare a compelling solution brief depending on:
• Technical readiness of your system.
• Teaming arrangements and integration plans.
• Supporting data on detection performance.
• Required compliance forms (e.g., DD 1494).

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:
• Translate your technical capabilities into a competitive DIU solution brief.
• Strategize on Line of Effort selection and demo readiness.
• Prepare compliance documentation and security coordination plans.
• Draft a high-impact live demonstration plan that aligns with DIU and DoD expectations.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have an hourly rate to strategize, review, and edit applications of $250.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

DARPA BTO: Protean

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

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office has released DARPARA2601: Protean, a high-impact research announcement focused on developing next-generation medical countermeasures that protect critical human proteins from chemical threat agents. This program aims to create prophylactics (and optionally therapeutics) that protect protein function against chemical threat challenges over 10,000x LD50s . Abstracts are due March 12th, 2026 at 4:00pm ET.

How much funding would I receive?

• Award instruments: Cooperative Agreements or Research Other Transactions (OTs)

• Period of performance: 33 months total

  • Phase 1 (Base): 18 months

  • Phase 2 (Option): 15 months

• Funding levels will depend on proposal quality and availability of funds.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support work aligned with Protean’s objective: restoring or protecting protein function against chemical threat agents at the mechanistic level .

Focus Areas (You must propose both phases)

You may propose in one or more of the following:

1. Nerve agents

2. Synthetic opioids

3. Ion channel toxins

Work must target DoD-relevant proteins such as:

• Acetylcholinesterase

• Mu Opioid Receptor

• Ion channels

Phase 1 – Non-Classical Protection (18 months)

Funding may support:

• Discovery of novel regulatory points in protein conformational landscapes

• Identification of distal regulatory sites (>1 required by Month 6 milestone)

• Structural biology and computational modeling of bound/unbound conformations

• Experimental validation of novel conformational states

• Mechanistic characterization of intoxication pathways

• In vitro demonstration of functional rescue or protection

• Demonstrating:

  • 10-fold decrease in threat simulant binding affinity (Month 12)

  • 10x increase in ED50 of >3 threat surrogates (Month 16)

End of Phase 1 requires in vitro evaluation by a government Test & Evaluation (T&E) partner .

Phase 2 – Countermeasure Design (15 months)

Funding may support:

• Structure-based or ligand-based drug design

• Optimization of non-competitive chemical matter

• In vitro and in vivo efficacy improvements

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies

• ADME validation

• Safety and acute toxicity screening

• In vivo rodent validation against real CWAs

Key metrics include:

• 1,000x increase in ED50 in vitro (Month 24)

• LD50 with intervention >1000x baseline (Month 24, rodent model)

• 10,000x increase in ED50 in vitro (Month 30)

• LD50 with intervention >10,000x baseline exposure (Month 33, rodent model)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Access to government Test & Evaluation (T&E) partners for real chemical warfare agent testing

• Potential use of flexible Other Transaction (OT) authority

• Early technical feedback via invitation-only pre-award sessions (if selected after Gate 1)

• Opportunity for DoD transition and chemical/biological defense positioning

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

Key Dates:

• Posting Date: February 11th, 2026

• Protean Virtual Proposers Day: February 20th, 2026

• Question Submittal Closed: March 9th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

• Gate 1 Due Date (Abstract): March 12th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

• Gate 2 Due Date (Full Proposal): May 7th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

Gate 1 selection is required to submit a full proposal.

The program period of performance is 33 months .

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Biological Technologies Office (BTO) .

Funding Opportunity Number: DARPARA2601
NAICS Code: 541714

Who is eligible to apply?

All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs, including U.S. and non-U.S. sources, may submit proposals .

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities, small businesses, small-disadvantaged businesses, and minority institutions are encouraged to apply .

• Proposers must be registered in SAM and have a valid Unique Entity ID .

• Proposals must be UNCLASSIFIED or CUI .

• FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government entities must contact the agency POC prior to submission to discuss eligibility , competitive proposals will:

• Present highly innovative, non-classical mechanistic approaches

• Identify >1 novel distal regulatory site by Month 6

• Demonstrate feasibility across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 metrics

• Provide experimentally validated structural insights (not purely computational)

• Show credible in vivo translation plans

• Demonstrate strong relevance to DoD chemical and biological defense

Proposals that fail to address both phases will be deemed non-conforming .

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Must propose to both Phases

• Must comply with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling requirements (NIST 800-171 compliant systems)

• IP ownership or licensing must be clearly documented

• Potential publication restrictions for non-fundamental research

• Organizational Conflict of Interest disclosures required

• No classified submissions allowed at Gate 1

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Gate 1 is intentionally streamlined:

• 10-minute Video Abstract (max 5 slides)

• 5-page Abbreviated Technical Volume

• Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate

Most well-prepared teams should expect 3–6 weeks to develop a competitive Gate 1 submission, depending on technical maturity and team alignment.

Gate 2 preparation will require significantly more effort if invited.

How can BW&CO help?

We help founders and research teams:

• Reverse-engineer DARPA evaluation criteria

• Position non-classical mechanisms to align with milestone language

• Translate structural biology and modeling approaches into milestone-driven narratives

• Architect Phase 1 → Phase 2 transition logic

• Draft Gate 1 materials that maximize selection probability

• Build credible in vivo translation pathways

Our role is to make sure your science aligns exactly with DARPA’s stated metrics and exclusion criteria.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We charge a flat $4,000 fee to submit the pre-proposal for Gate 1. We also have an hourly rate to strategize, review, and edit applications of $250.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain

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

Executive Summary:

The NIH BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (RFA-DA-27-004) is a competitive R01 research grant supporting the development of innovative theories, computational models, and analytical tools to advance understanding of brain function from complex neuroscience data. This funding is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative, aiming to transform neuroscience through quantitative, predictive frameworks. Applications are due as soon as October 6th, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Application budgets are not limited, but NIH expects direct costs of approximately $150,000 – $350,000 per year.

Awards are for up to 3 years of support.

NIH anticipates funding multiple awards each cycle, depending on score and available appropriations.

What could I use the funding for?

Theories of brain function

Development of predictive, mathematically-grounded theories explaining how behavior arises from neural structure, circuit dynamics, computation, cognition, and environmental variables. Examples include:

• Theories of embodied computation that anchor the neural representation of sensory, cognitive, and motor variables to an individual/animal’s ongoing interactions with the environment through dynamic, moment-to-moment, circular, and iterative processes.

• Theories that bridge multiple scales of spatial organization (e.g., molecular, synaptic, cellular, circuit, systems) and/or temporal dynamics (e.g., milliseconds to lifetimes) to generate testable predictions of brain-behavior links or cognitive function.

• Theories linking circuit dynamics and function to specific properties of cell types or anatomical connections, identifying general rules, scaling principles, and contributions of specific circuit motifs to computation.

• Theories elucidating fundamental computational principles employed by biological neural networks, potentially drawing inspiration from or contrasting with artificial networks, but firmly grounded in biological constraints (e.g., neuronal/synaptic dynamics, connectivity patterns, metabolic limits, specific cell-type properties, learning rules).

Computational models of neural and behavioral dynamics

Development and validation of quantitative models that are mechanistically grounded, interpretable, predictive, and rigorously tested against neural and behavioral data. Examples include:

• Mechanistic, interpretable, and/or predictive models of neural dynamics, circuit function, or brain-behavior links that integrate biological details with computational principles.

• Models that integrate knowledge across multiple levels (e.g., linking behavior to neural population activity and cellular/circuit properties).

• Models of cognitive processing (e.g., sensory coding, decision-making, motor control, learning, memory) that are mechanistically grounded in identified circuit elements and dynamics, make quantitative predictions, and are rigorously tested against neural and behavioral data, potentially under ecologically relevant or challenging conditions (e.g., limited information, dynamic environments).

• Development and analysis of neural-inspired computational architectures or artificial intelligence/machine learning systems explicitly designed to gain novel insights into brain function.

Methods for complex data analysis

Development of novel computational, statistical, and analytical techniques designed to extract key insights from complex, large-scale neuroscience datasets. Examples include:

• Development of innovative and scalable computational/statistical methods for dimensionality reduction, identifying latent structure, disentangling contributing factors (e.g., sensory, motor, cognitive, state variables), extracting key dynamical features, or characterizing information flow within large, complex neural and behavioral datasets.

• Novel approaches for principled data fusion and assimilation to quantitatively integrate heterogeneous datasets (e.g., linking behavior with multi-regional activity, anatomical connectivity, and cell-type information) to infer new theories of brain function, or to constrain and validate multi-scale computational models.

• Novel statistical/signal processing methods (e.g., component analysis, graphical models, compressed sensing) to track structure in neural data and link to biophysical signals for mechanistic insights across scales.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Collaboration with NIH program staff and participation in the broader BRAIN Initiative network.

• Tools developed are expected to be shared with the neuroscience community, enhancing visibility and impact.

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

Application Due Dates (all by 5:00 PM local time):

• Cycle 2: October 6, 2026

• Cycle 3: October 6, 2027

Expiration of this NOFO: November 9, 2027

Following review, awards generally begin in March–July of the year after submission.

Where does this funding come from?

This funding is provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through multiple participating Institutes and Centers under the NIH BRAIN Initiative, including NIDA, NEI, NIA, NIAAA, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCD, NIMH, NINDS, and NCCIH.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicant organizations include:

• Higher Education Institutions

• Nonprofit organizations

• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)

• Local/state governments and tribal governments

• Foreign organizations (with restrictions on foreign subawards)

• Other research or non-profit entities

Eligible individuals are those qualified to lead the proposed research.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Strong applicants typically:

• Propose novel and rigorous theoretical or computational frameworks.

• Demonstrate deep expertise in neuroscience, modeling, or computational analysis.

• Have clear plans to validate and share tools with the research community.

• Show relevance to BRAIN Initiative goals and the integration of complex datasets.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Clinical trials are not allowed—only research on theory/model/method development.

• Proposed work must go beyond simple data collection and focus on quantitative theories or analytical tools.

• Foreign subawards are not permitted; collaborations must be unfunded or through other compliant mechanisms.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Plan 4-5 months minimum for:

• Concept development

• Budget preparation

• Letters of support and team coordination

• Registering with Grants.gov and eRA Commons (if not already completed)

NIH registration processes can take 6+ weeks, so start early.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can assist with:

• Translating your science aims into NIH-ready specific aims.

• Coordinating NIH format and submission requirements.

• Aligning proposal with BRAIN Initiative priorities.

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.

NIDDK: Advancing Research on the Application of Digital Health Technology to the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

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

Executive Summary:

NIH/NIDDK is seeking investigator teams to lead clinical trials testing digital health technologies in Type 2 Diabetes management. This R01 requires a clinical trial and aims to build evidence on how digital tools (e.g., continuous glucose monitors, mobile apps, telehealth, wearables) can improve glycemic and related outcomes in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Applications are due October 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM local time — plan ahead to prepare a full clinical trial proposal that adheres to NIH requirements.

How much funding would I receive?

Funds anticipated: Direct costs ~

• $1.5M in FY2026,

• $3.0M in FY2027-2030,

• $1.5M in FY2031.

Award budget: Not capped — must reflect actual needs of the proposed clinical trial project.

Project period: Up to 5 years.

What could I use the funding for?

General principles:

• Multimodality DHT interventions that for example, combine CGM concurrently with other digital interventions in a virtual remote continuous care intervention, though not required, are of particular interest to this NOFO.

• All investigators are expected to include meaningful engagement approaches with the relevant research population in designing and implementing the proposed trial. This may involve engagement with patients, family members or caregivers, community members, community-based organization, clinicians and other care providers, health care systems, or other relevant partners throughout the research process. Meaningful engagement must entail more than focus groups, surveys, or other activities where partners are only involved as participants or respondents. Engagement must be designed to ensure that the research is practical and aligns with partners' preferences and values. Meaningful collaboration will lead to optimal trial recruitment and conduct as well as potential for future dissemination and sustainability. 

• Multiple digital interventions have applicability to management of both T1 and T2 diabetes and these DHT interventions are of interest to this NOFO.

• Partnering with industry providers of virtual diabetes clinic offerings is allowed but not required.

• Clinical trials funded in response to this NOFO are expected to provide efficacy data that will enable future large multicenter clinical effectiveness studies on the application of DHT to PWD.

Examples of DHT interventions to be tested include, but are not limited to:

• Continuous glucose monitoring:

  • Studies on the efficacy of CGM in T2D, including in PWD not taking insulin

  • Studies on the utility of CGM in persons with prediabetes, for example, interventions that prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes

  • Studies examining the role of CGM in monitoring and adapting dietary interventions

  • Studies on the dose and duration of CGM usage necessary to effect change in health activation and healthy behaviors

  • Studies to assess and promote the accessibility, adoption and sustainability of CGM interventions

  • Studies assessing and improving the integration of CGM into clinic workflow, particularly in primary care settings

• Activity monitoring:

  • Studies examining the role of digital monitoring of activity on improvement of glycemia and other metabolic parameters in PWD

• Digital nutritional monitoring

  • The use of mobile applications to facilitate measures of macronutrient content of meals in PWD, and the impact of these interventions on diabetes-specific outcomes.

• Telemedicine, directed text messaging, patient portals, and peer-support

  • Studies assessing the incorporation of virtual communication into a multimodality virtual diabetes clinic model

  • Studies examining the influence of digital methods of multi-touchpoint peer support on glycemic and non-glycemic diabetes-specific outcomes

• Gaming and gamification

  • Studies examining the effect of digital gamification on the uptake and sustained adoption of diabetes education to improve knowledge and promote self-care behaviors (dietary, activity, and medication adherence) in a manner that improves diabetes-specific outcomes

• DHT adoption and sustainment

  • Studies examining factors predicting and improving patient engagement, adoption, and sustained use and utility of DHT interventions in PWD, and phenotyping according to acceptance of different modalities of DHT (CGM, wearables, telehealth, etc.) 

  • Studies examining the role of interventions to improve access of DHT for all PWD; to evaluate, measure, and improve digital literacy; and examine the influence of health beliefs and trust in the HCS on the successful utilization of all forms of DHT, including telemedicine 

  • Studies examining the influence of DHT interventions on patient engagement, self-empowerment, diabetes distress, and quality of life using validated measures.

  • Studies including a specific aim to determine the cost-effectiveness of specific DHT interventions in PWD 

  • Studies examining the effect of incentivizing PWD, providers and the health care system to incorporate DHT into diabetes management 

  • Studies examining the role of digital health navigators, including AI-based systems, in improving the acceptability and sustainability digital health interventions in PWD 

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Potential to position your digital health intervention for future large multicenter effectiveness studies if early clinical evidence is strong.

• Grant support includes access to NIH peer review and scientific oversight.

Note: There’s no letter of intent required.

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

Posted Date: September 17, 2025

Application Due: October 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM local time

Where does this funding come from?

NIH — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

CFDA: 93.847 — Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible domestic applicants include:

• Higher education institutions (public/private)

• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)

• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)

• Local and state governments

• Tribal governments/organizations

• Public housing authorities

• Independent school districts

• U.S. Federal agencies are eligible

Foreign organizations are NOT eligible.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Strong proposals will have:

• A clearly defined clinical trial plan with measurable outcomes.

• Meaningful patient, provider, and community engagement integrated into design and implementation.

• Digital interventions that are ready for testing, not just conceptual.

• Evidence of feasibility and mechanism for adoption in real-world settings.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Not responsive:

• Projects developing new digital devices or algorithms.

• Studies focused on automated insulin delivery, artificial pancreas, or hybrid closed-loop tech.

• Research using DHT data only for subtyping/classification.

• Mechanistic trials that are not testing an intervention’s effectiveness.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Typical NIH R01 applications take several months to:

• Develop a rigorous clinical trial design,

• Form research team + collaborations,

• Draft research strategy + human subjects sections,

• Complete registrations (SAM, eRA Commons).

Most institutions begin 6-12 months before due date.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can assist with:

• Translating this technical RFA into a clinical trial proposal roadmap.

• Crafting aims, hypotheses, and outcomes tables tailored to NIH review criteria.

• Aligning digital intervention strengths with NIH priorities.

• Supporting human subjects/clinical trial documentation and compliance.

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.

Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant Program

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

Executive Summary:

Deadline Approaching: Apply by 11:59 PM ET on April 18, 2026 — this competitive state grant is now open and closing soon. The Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant Program offers a $10 million investment to help farmers, agricultural businesses, and innovators deploy new technologies, improve sustainability, and scale solutions that enhance production, conservation, and energy efficiency statewide. Applications must be submitted online via the Single Application for Assistance between 8 AM ET Feb 2, 2026 and 11:59 PM ET April 18, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Total funding available: $10 million in the 2025–26 round.

Grant types & award sizes:

• Innovation Planning Project Grant: $7,500–$50,000 (30% non-state match required)

• Onsite Project Grant: $5,000–$200,000 (50% non-state match required)

• Regional Impact Project Grant: $100,000–$2,000,000 (50% non-state match required; must benefit ≥2 eligible persons/businesses)

What could I use the funding for?

Funding reimburses project planning, implementation, and regional impact innovations in the following priority areas:

Key eligible innovation areas:

• Improve energy efficiency and water quality on farms

• Reduce water use, odors, or solid waste

• Improve production, processing, commercialization, or utilization of agricultural commodities

• Produce energy from manure, food waste, biomass

• Deploy low-carbon or no-carbon energy equipment

• Farm management technologies (e.g., diagnostics, data tools)

• Process efficiency tools (sorting, grading, etc.)

• Biosecurity and plant/animal health innovations

• Cybersecurity and data analytics solutions

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond direct funding, grantees will:

• Gain credibility and visibility as part of Pennsylvania’s nation-leading innovation portfolio

• Support broader economic growth and sustainability across the Commonwealth’s agricultural sector

• Build proof points to attract follow-on investment and partners

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

Application window:

• Opens: 8 AM ET, February 2, 2026

• Closes: 11:59 PM ET, April 18, 2026
  Applications must be submitted online through the Single Application for Assistance system; late submissions will not be reviewed.

Funding decisions and reimbursement timelines depend on PDA’s review process and grant execution, typically following award announcements after April 2026.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 2025–26 budget under the Shapiro Administration, investing $10 million in the second round of the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program to strengthen farm sustainability, technology adoption, and clean energy development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Individuals who grow an agricultural commodity with anticipated sales of > $2,000/year

• Individuals who process an agricultural commodity with anticipated sales of > $10,000/year

• Providers of technical services to farmers (e.g., conservation, veterinary care, engineering, farm management)

• Persons or cooperative associations that use agricultural commodities to create products or energy

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive proposals will:

• Clearly align with innovation priority areas outlined above

• Demonstrate measurable impact (economic, environmental, technological)

• Include strong budgets, timelines, and success metrics

• Show scalable and practical outcomes for Pennsylvania agriculture

Projects with broad applicability (e.g., renewable energy systems, advanced processing technologies, farm-scale data tools) and those that deliver regional benefits are especially strong candidates.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Applicants must:

• Use non-state matching funds at required levels

• Submit paid receipts for reimbursement requests

• Ensure projects are located in Pennsylvania and comply with all state laws and regulations

• Only costs incurred during the contract period are eligible for reimbursement

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time depends on project complexity:

• Simple planning projects: 1–3 weeks

• Onsite and regional projects with detailed budgets and partners: 2–6+ weeks
  You must gather narratives, budgets, metrics, match commitments, and letters of support before the April 18 deadline.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can assist by:

• Translating your innovation idea into a compelling application narrative

• Structuring budgets and measurable outcomes to meet PDA criteria

• Identifying matching fund strategies and partner letters

• Reviewing drafts for clarity, cohesion, and competitiveness

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

ARPA-H SSO: “AGENTIC AI-ENABLED CARDIOVASCULAR CARE TRANSFORMATION” (ADVOCATE)

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

Executive Summary:

ARPA-H is now accepting proposals for ADVOCATE: Agentic AI-Enabled Cardiovascular Care Transformation, a major new Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) focused on deploying autonomous, FDA-regulated clinical AI agents for cardiovascular disease (CVD) care at national scale.

This program is designed to fund teams that can build, validate, and deploy patient-facing AI agents, paired with independent supervisory AI, and integrate them directly into real healthcare systems. Selected performers will work closely with FDA, large health systems, and ARPA-H leadership to establish a blueprint for scalable, reimbursable agentic AI in healthcare. A Solution Summary is mandatory and is due February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Full proposals are by invitation only and are due April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total award size: Not specified in the solicitation

• Number of awards: Multiple awards anticipated

• Funding mechanism: Other Transaction (OT) Agreements

• Program length: Up to 39 months

  • Phase 1A: 12 months

  • Phase 1B: 12 months (option)

  • Phase 2: 15 months (option)

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support development, validation, and deployment of agentic AI systems for cardiovascular care, aligned to one or more of the following Technical Areas (TAs):

TA1 — CVD Agent (Patient-Facing Clinical AI)

• Autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents that:

  • Provide diagnostic and treatment assistance

  • Adjust prescriptions for CV conditions (FDA medical device)

  • Integrate real-time EHR and wearable data

  • Deliver 24/7 outpatient care management

• Clinical reasoning using multimodal inputs (text, voice, image, video)

• FDA regulatory engagement and authorization

• Deployment into real health systems for scalability studies

TA2 — Supervisory Agent (AI Oversight & Control)

• Disease-agnostic AI that:

  • Monitors safety, accuracy, uncertainty, and risk of clinical AI

  • Enables real-time control and auditability

  • Supports FDA Medical Device Development Tool (MDDT) qualification

• Continuous post-market monitoring functionality

• Strong preference for open-source solutions

TA3 — Scaled Implementation (Health Systems Only)

• Integration of TA1 and TA2 agents into live clinical workflows

• Access to EHR production and pre-production environments

• Execution of large-scale Scalability Studies

• Clinical outcome, cost, and reimbursement evidence generation

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Selected teams receive:

• Direct engagement with FDA throughout development

• Access to real EHR data, clinicians, and patients (via TA3 performers)

• Participation in large, ARPA-H-funded scalability studies

• Validation by an independent IV&V partner

• Visibility with payers and CMS-relevant evidence generation

• Potential facilitation of investor engagement by ARPA-H

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

Key dates (firm):

• Posting date: January 13, 2026

• Proposers’ Day: January 23, 2026 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST)

• Proposers’ Day registration deadline:

  • In-person: January 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST

  • Virtual: January 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST

• Solution Summary due: February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST

• Full proposal due (if invited): April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST

Funding timing after submission is not specified and is contingent on negotiations and down-selection decisions.

Where does this funding come from?

• Agency: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

• Office: Scalable Solutions Office (SSO)

• Authority: Other Transaction (OT)

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. startups and growth-stage companies

• Universities and academic teams

• Non-profit organizations

• Non-federal research organizations

Not eligible:

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)

• Federal government entities or employees (as performers)

• Entities from covered foreign countries or foreign entities of concern

• Organizations with unmitigable ARPA-H conflicts of interest

TA3 applicants cannot apply to TA1 or TA2.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

ARPA-H is explicitly seeking teams that:

• Are building agentic (not rules-based) clinical AI

• Can meet FDA medical device or MDDT requirements

• Have real experience integrating with EHRs and health systems

• Can demonstrate a path to non-inferiority vs cardiologists

• Are prepared for open data sharing and multi-party collaboration

• Can scale beyond pilots into national deployment

Incremental clinical decision support tools are unlikely to be competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Foundation models cannot be developed from scratch

• Solutions must be interoperable with other agents

• Clinical AI must pursue FDA authorization or qualification

• Extensive data-sharing and collaboration are mandatory

• Foreign talent, ownership, or funding risks are heavily scrutinized

• TA1 and TA2 proposals must remain technically independent

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

• Solution Summary: ~2–4 weeks for competitive teams

• Full Proposal: ~6–10 weeks if invited

Team formation, regulatory strategy, and data architecture must be addressed early.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps teams:

• Translate ADVOCATE requirements into a clear, fundable narrative

• Position technical capabilities against TA-specific metrics

• Shape FDA and commercialization strategy language

• Design compliant multi-party teaming structures

• Avoid common ARPA-H disqualifiers

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Development of Radiological/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) And Biodosimetry Devices

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

Executive Summary:

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is actively seeking proposals to develop radiological/nuclear medical countermeasures (MCMs) or biodosimetry biomarkers and devices to support response to a radiological or nuclear public health emergency. This is a cost-reimbursement contract opportunity, not a grant, and is intended to advance technologies that reduce mortality, guide triage, and improve treatment decisions after radiation exposure. Proposals are due May 4th, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total contract value: Not specified (listed as “TBD” in the solicitation)

• Contract type: Cost-reimbursement with fixed fee

• Base period funding: TBD

• Option periods: Up to two option periods, funding TBD

Because dollar amounts are not pre-set, funding levels will depend on scope, cost realism, and negotiation with NIAID.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support one of the two objectives below.

A. Radiological/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)

Funding may be used to develop safe and effective MCMs that:

• Mitigate and/or treat normal tissue injuries caused by ionizing radiation

• Reduce radiation-associated mortality or major morbidities

• Are efficacious 24 hours or later post-exposure (MCMs intended for immediate post-exposure use are generally excluded, unless otherwise noted in the objectives)

B. Biodosimetry Biomarkers and Devices

Funding may be used to advance biodosimetry biomarkers and/or devices that:

• Inform triage and treatment strategies

• Are suitable for use during a radiation public health emergency

Allowable Cost Categories (with Contracting Officer approval where required) include:

• Personnel and research labor

• Subcontracts and consultants

• Travel (including foreign travel)

• Patient care costs

• Equipment and materials

• Printing and reporting

• Research-related conferences and meetings

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to funding, awardees receive:

• A direct contractual relationship with NIH/NIAID

• Eligibility for option period extensions at the government’s discretion

• The ability to generate patents, subject to federal invention regulations

• Increased credibility for future BARDA, NIH, and DoD opportunities

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

• Solicitation issued: February 10, 2026

• Questions due: March 3, 2026 (recommended)

• Proposal deadline: May 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET

• Contract period of performance: TBD

• Funding start: After award and contract execution (date not specified)on maturity or need

Where does this funding come from?

This funding is provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• For-profit companies

• Small businesses

• Nonprofits and research institutions

• Universities

• Domestic and foreign entities

Applicants must be registered in SAM prior to award.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

NIAID is looking for teams that:

• Have strong scientific and technical rationale

• Address clearly defined unmet needs in radiation response

• Can demonstrate feasible development and execution plans

• Align tightly with the Research and Technical Objectives in the solicitation

Projects are evaluated primarily on technical merit, relevance to agency priorities, and availability of funds.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• You may only submit one focus per proposal (MCM or biodosimetry)

• Certain costs require prior Contracting Officer approval

• Strict compliance with human subjects, animal welfare, data sharing, and publication policies

• Funds may not be used for prohibited activities (e.g., abortion, human embryo research, needle exchange, promotion of controlled substances legalization)

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Most companies should plan for 8–12+ weeks to prepare:

• A full technical proposal and Statement of Work

• A detailed cost proposal and supporting documentation

• Required representations, certifications, and attachments

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Translate the BAA into a clear win strategy

• Define scope, milestones, and budget that survive NIH negotiation

• Draft or review the technical and business proposals

• Ensure compliance with NIH contract requirements

• Position your company for option periods and follow-on funding

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Air Force Cryptologic Office (AFCO) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The Air Force Cryptologic Office (AFCO) is actively seeking innovative commercial technologies to support U.S. Air Force cyberspace intelligence, electromagnetic warfare, information operations, and multi-domain operations. This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is designed to move fast, fund mature technologies applied in novel ways, and support field demonstrations—ideally within one year.

How much funding would I receive?

AFCO expects to make individual awards ranging from:

• $50,000 to $50,000,000 over the full period of performance

These amounts are not strict limits. Proposals over $15,000,000 must include phased options that allow for incremental funding. All awards are subject to the availability of funds.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may be used to develop, demonstrate, test, or deploy innovative commercial technologies aligned with AFCO’s mission areas. Proposals must address one or more of the following capability areas:

AFCO-CM-001, ELECTROMAGNETIC WARFARE (EW)

• Electromagnetic attack, support, and protection

• EW data fusion and advanced signal processing

• Cognitive EW and AI/ML-enabled techniques

• EW battle management and waveform generation

AFCO-CM-002, INFORMATION OPERATIONS (IO)

• Technologies that affect adversary decision-making

• Capabilities targeting informational, physical, or cognitive dimensions

• Generative AI or autonomous AI applied to the information environment

AFCO-CM-003, Electromagnetic Digital Communications

• Free-space and space-based digital communications

• Access, denial, disruption, degradation, deception, or destruction of communications

• Novel approaches emphasizing extensibility over single-purpose solutions

AFCO-CM-004, Multi-Domain Innovation

• Integrated effects across EW, cyberspace, ISR, and information operations

• Automated and synchronized multi-domain operational capabilities

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to funding, successful companies may receive:

• Direct engagement with Air Force technical and operational stakeholders

• Opportunities for follow-on contracts or Other Transactions (OTs)

• Potential multi-year periods of performance (up to five years)

• A clear pathway from prototype to operational relevancest Proposal and SOW).

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

• Phase I: Quad Chart and White Paper may be submitted at any time before September 30, 2026

• Phase II: Only by invitation from the Contracting Officer

• Proposal preparation window (Phase II): 30 calendar days from invitation

• Expected contract start: Approximately 90 days after proposal submission

Period of performance:

• Typically 1–5 years, with exceptions considered based on maturity or need

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the Air Force Cryptologic Office (AFCO), Cyberspace ISR and Multi-Domain Innovation Division, under the U.S. Department of the Air Force.

Awards may be issued as:

• Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts

• Fixed Price Incentive (FPI) contracts

• Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 U.S.C. §2371bal Medicines).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S.-based commercial companies

• Small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors

• Companies offering commercial items, technologies, or services

To receive an award, companies must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov

• Be considered responsible under FAR Part 9.1

• Meet any security clearance requirements if proposing classified work

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Successful proposals typically:

• Apply mature technologies in novel ways

• Demonstrate clear relevance to AFCO mission needs

• Support field demonstrations within one year (ideally)

• Offer measurable improvements to operational effectiveness

• Align with open architecture approaches (e.g., SOSA, OMS/UCI, modular software/hardware)

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. Key restrictions include:

• All submissions must be commercial solutions

• Classified submissions require prior coordination

• Proposals exceeding page limits will not be evaluated

• Intellectual property assertions must follow DFARS requirements

• AFCO may partially fund, incrementally fund, or decline any proposal

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Typical preparation times:

• Phase I (Quad Chart + White Paper): 1–3 weeks

• Phase II (if invited): 30 calendar days

The Phase II submission includes a technical proposal, statement of work, and detailed pricing.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help you:

• Rapidly assess fit against AFCO’s priority areas

• Shape your Quad Chart and White Paper for evaluator clarity

• Position your technology for Phase II invitation

• Translate technical capabilities into mission-aligned value propositions

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.