Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) awarded $1.1 million through the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420) to VA Connecticut Research & Education Foundation, Inc. for the project "From Service to Survival: Investigating the Associations Between Military Deployment and Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Mortality in Veterans." The award, effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2030, funds a four-year research initiative to examine potential correlations between military deployment experiences and the incidence and mortality rates of early-onset colorectal cancer among the veteran population. This hypothesis-driven research contributes to the DHA's broader mission to transform healthcare for service members and the American public through innovative medical solutions addressing critical health challenges.

The VA Connecticut Research & Education Foundation will deliver comprehensive research and development services including epidemiological analysis, data collection and management, qualitative and quantitative analysis of deployment-related health outcomes, and clinical research coordination. As a non-profit research organization specializing in federally-funded veteran healthcare studies, the foundation will conduct this multi-year investigation at its West Haven, Connecticut location, leveraging its established expertise in healthcare research partnerships and veteran health outcome initiatives. The project aligns with the Military Medical Research and Development program's emphasis on cancer research and represents a representative award within the typical $152,192 to $7.0 million funding range and two-to-four-year performance periods characteristic of this DHA program.