Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526MRPFPARM
The FY26 DoD Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Focused Program Award - Rare Melanomas (HT942526MRPFPARM) is a Defense Health Agency grant opportunity designed to fund a coordinated, multidisciplinary research program aimed specifically at rare melanoma types. Rather than supporting a single standalone study, this mechanism is meant to back a small set of connected projects that work together to answer one overarching, high-impact question in the rare melanoma space. The program must include at least two projects and no more than three, and those projects need to be clearly distinct while also complementary, meaning each project contributes something different but collectively builds toward the same central objective.
A defining feature of this award is that it is structured as a partnership. The team must include one Initiating Principal Investigator and at least one Partnering PI, with a maximum of two Partnering PIs (so the overall structure is 2 to 3 PIs total). Each PI is expected to lead one of the proposed research projects as a Project Leader, reinforcing that this is a true multi-project effort rather than a single lab subcontracting minor tasks. If the program is selected for funding, each PI will be issued a separate award to their recipient organization, which is important for teams spread across multiple institutions because it affects budgeting, reporting, and administrative responsibility.
Another major requirement updated for FY26 is patient involvement. Investigators must include at least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate as a member of the project team. This person is expected to provide ongoing advice and consultation across the life of the program, including during planning, while the work is being carried out, and during dissemination of results. The purpose is to keep the research grounded in patient priorities and real-world needs, and to increase the likelihood that outcomes are meaningful, usable, and communicated in ways that reach the communities affected by rare melanomas.
The application process is gated and happens in stages. The Initiating PI is the only person who submits the required pre-application, and the team must receive an invitation before any full applications can be submitted. If invited, all PIs must submit full applications, but the Partnering PI application is described as an abbreviated package focused on their specific research project rather than a complete duplication of the Initiating PI submission. This setup is intended to streamline review while still allowing each project and PI role to be evaluated.
Clinical trials are explicitly allowed under this mechanism, which signals that the program is open to translational and clinical efforts as long as they fit into the multi-project framework and address rare melanomas. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category (CFDA 12.420), with eligible applicants listed as unrestricted. The posting indicates an expected two awards, with an original closing date of October 14, 2026, and a creation date of May 21, 2026. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing, so applicants would typically need to consult the full funding announcement for budget limits, allowable costs, and any constraints tied to the number of projects or trial-related activities.Apply for HT942526MRPFPARM
- The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: FY26 DoD Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Focused Program Award - Rare Melanomas (HT942526MRPFPARM)
What is the FY26 DoD MRP Focused Program Award - Rare Melanomas (HT942526MRPFPARM)?
This is a Defense Health Agency grant opportunity under the DoD Melanoma Research Program (MRP) designed to fund a coordinated, multidisciplinary research program focused specifically on rare melanoma types.
What is the main purpose of this award mechanism?
The purpose is to support a small set of connected research projects that work together to answer one overarching, high-impact question in the rare melanoma space, rather than funding a single standalone study.
Does this award support a single research project or multiple projects?
This mechanism is intended for a multi-project program. The proposed program must include at least two projects and no more than three.
How many projects are required, and what are the limits?
The program must include a minimum of two projects and a maximum of three projects.
Do the projects need to be different from each other?
Yes. The projects must be clearly distinct while also complementary, meaning each project contributes something different but collectively they build toward the same central objective.
What does "coordinated, multidisciplinary research program" mean in this context?
Based on the opportunity description, it means the application should propose multiple connected projects that are designed to work together as one program, with different approaches or contributions across projects, and a shared overarching rare melanoma research question.
How is the research team structured for this award?
The award is structured as a partnership. The team must include one Initiating Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one Partnering PI, with no more than two Partnering PIs.
How many PIs can be included in total?
There must be 2 to 3 PIs total: one Initiating PI plus one or two Partnering PIs.
What is the role of the Initiating PI?
The Initiating PI leads the overall submission process by submitting the required pre-application and coordinates the multi-project program. Each PI is also expected to lead a research project as a Project Leader.
What is the role of the Partnering PI(s)?
Each Partnering PI is expected to lead one of the proposed research projects as a Project Leader, reinforcing that each project has substantive leadership and is not just a minor contribution.
Does each PI need to lead a project?
Yes. Each PI is expected to lead one proposed research project as a Project Leader.
Is this mechanism intended for one lab to subcontract small tasks to other institutions?
No. The description emphasizes this is a true multi-project effort where each PI leads a project, rather than a single lab subcontracting minor tasks.
What happens if the program is selected for funding across multiple institutions?
If selected for funding, each PI will be issued a separate award to their recipient organization. This matters for teams across institutions because it affects budgeting, reporting, and administrative responsibility.
Will there be separate awards for each PI?
Yes. If funded, each PI receives a separate award issued to their recipient organization.
Is patient or advocate involvement required?
Yes. A key FY26 requirement is that investigators must include at least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate as a member of the project team.
Who qualifies for the required patient involvement role?
The opportunity specifies at least one rare melanoma survivor or a patient advocate must be included as a team member.
What is the expected role of the rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate on the team?
This person is expected to provide ongoing advice and consultation throughout the life of the program, including during planning, during the conduct of the research, and during dissemination of results.
Why is patient involvement emphasized in this award?
The stated purpose is to keep the research grounded in patient priorities and real-world needs and to increase the likelihood that outcomes are meaningful, usable, and communicated in ways that reach communities affected by rare melanomas.
Is the application process a single-step submission?
No. The process is gated and happens in stages, beginning with a pre-application and requiring an invitation before full applications can be submitted.
Who submits the pre-application?
Only the Initiating PI submits the required pre-application.
Do applicants need an invitation to submit a full application?
Yes. The team must receive an invitation before any full applications can be submitted.
If invited, who submits full applications?
If invited, all PIs must submit full applications.
Is the Partnering PI full application the same as the Initiating PI full application?
No. The Partnering PI application is described as an abbreviated package focused on the Partnering PI's specific research project, rather than a full duplication of the Initiating PI submission.
Why is the Partnering PI application described as abbreviated?
The description indicates this approach is intended to streamline review while still allowing each project and PI role to be evaluated.
Are clinical trials allowed under this award mechanism?
Yes. Clinical trials are explicitly allowed under this mechanism, as long as they fit the multi-project framework and address rare melanomas.
What research areas or stages does this award appear to support?
Because clinical trials are allowed and the award is aimed at a coordinated program, it is open to translational and clinical efforts as long as they are organized within the required multi-project structure and focused on rare melanomas.
What type of grant is this considered?
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The listing includes CFDA 12.420.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are listed as unrestricted in the provided information.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The posting indicates an expected two awards.
What are the key dates provided in the listing?
The creation date is May 21, 2026, and the original closing date is October 14, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is October 14, 2026.
Is the maximum award amount (ceiling) specified?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.
Where would applicants typically find budget limits and allowable costs?
Because the ceiling is not provided in the listing, applicants would typically consult the full funding announcement for budget limits, allowable costs, and any constraints tied to the number of projects or clinical trial-related activities.
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| DoW Melanoma Research Program Idea Award Apply for HT942526MRPIA Funding Number: HT942526MRPIA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Melanoma Research Program Team Science Award Apply for HT942526MRPTSA Funding Number: HT942526MRPTSA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| DoW Prostate Cancer, Physician Research Award Apply for HT942526PCRPPRA Funding Number: HT942526PCRPPRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Health Services Research Award Apply for HT942526TBIPHRPHSRA Funding Number: HT942526TBIPHRPHSRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Translational Research Award Apply for HT942526TBIPHRPTRA Funding Number: HT942526TBIPHRPTRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Toxic Exposures Clinical Trial Award Apply for HT942526TERPCTA Funding Number: HT942526TERPCTA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Toxic Exposures Translational Research Award Apply for HT942526TERPTRA Funding Number: HT942526TERPTRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Toxic Exposures Investigator Initiated Research Award Apply for HT942526TERPIIRA Funding Number: HT942526TERPIIRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| DoW Epilepsy Idea Development Award Apply for HT942526ERPIDA Funding Number: HT942526ERPIDA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| DoW Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award Apply for HT942526ERPVPTERCL Funding Number: HT942526ERPVPTERCL Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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