HT942526KCRPAKCIECSA_GG2.pdf

This program announcement must be read in conjunction with the General Application Instructions, version CD26_01.

Program Announcement for the Defense Health Agency

Kidney Cancer Research Program

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526KCRPAKCIECSA

Pre-Application Due: September 14, 2026

Application Due: September 28, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 2

Content

Before You Begin 3

Basic Information Summarizes the funding opportunity, funding details, submission deadlines and review dates

Eligibility Details eligibility factors for the applicant organization and Principal Investigator

Program Description Describes the program mission and intent of the Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators

– Early-Career Scholar Award; provides key award information and considerations; and outlines funding details

Application Contents Presents the two-step application process and instructions for preparing a pre-application and full application

Submission Requirements Provides locations for application packages, instructions for submitting pre-applications and full applications, and describes application verification

Application Review Information Outlines the processes for application compliance review, pre-application and full application selection/notification, and risk assessment. Also, details the review criteria for pre-application screening and both tiers of the CDMRP application review process – Peer Review and Programmatic Review

Federal Award Notices Outlines what a successful applicant can expect if recommended for funding

Post-Award Requirements References policy requirements for funded research; outlines reporting requirements and restrictions related to Principal Investigator changes and institutional award transfers

Other Information Outlines criteria for administrative actions including application rejection, modification, withdrawal and withhold

Appendix 1 Includes a checklist for all full application components to facilitate application submission

Appendix 2 Acronym List

Appendix 3 Change Log

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 3

Before You Begin

• Active SAM.gov, eBRAP.org and Grants.gov registrations are required for application submission. User registration for each of these websites can take several weeks or longer.

Each applicant must ensure their registrations are active and up to date prior to application preparation.

• Read this funding opportunity announcement in the order it is written before beginning to prepare application materials. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine whether the proposed research meets the intent of this funding opportunity and that all parties meet eligibility requirements.

• To support application preparation, additional resources are available including an application process FAQ, a Guide for Intragovernmental & Intramural Applicants and a CDMRP Video Series detailing the application process.

Who to Contact for Support

This document uses internal links; you can go back to where you were by pressing the Alt + left arrow keys (Windows) or command + left arrow keys (Macintosh) on your keyboard.

Click to be taken to additional guidance and instructions within the General Application Instructions (GAI).

eBRAP Help Desk

301-682-5507 help@eBRAP.org

Questions regarding funding opportunity submission requirements, as well as technical assistance related to pre-application or intramural application submission.

Grants.gov Support Center

800-518-4726 International: 1-606-545-5035 support@grants.gov

Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace.

https://sam.gov/ https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm https://grants.gov/register https://cdmrp.health.mil/#:~:text=Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20%C2%BB https://cdmrp.health.mil/#:~:text=Guide%20for%20Intragovernmental%20%26%20Intramural%20Applicants https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Journey%20of%20an,Tier%20Review%20Process mailto:help@eBRAP.org mailto:support@grants.gov https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

Section Shortcuts Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

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1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: Initially created in fiscal year 2019 (FY19), the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators (AKCI) is a unique interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The Academy pairs Early Career Scholars (ECS) with established investigators (Designated Mentors) under the oversight of the AKCI Leadership Team, a Designated Mentor Panel, and the Kidney Cancer Patient Advocates Panel. The AKCI’s overarching goal is to conduct innovative and impactful kidney cancer research while also developing a vital resource, a network of highly productive kidney cancer researchers conducting cutting edge research that advances the state of the field in kidney cancer and leads to new treatments for individuals living with kidney cancer.

Distinctive Features:

• Early-Career Scholar: The FY26 KCRP AKCI-ECSA focuses on both the Scholar’s research and their career potential in the kidney cancer field.

• Designated Mentor: The Designated Mentor must have a strong record of successful mentorship coupled with a strong record of funding (past and present) and publications in kidney cancer research.

• Preliminary Data: Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research and approaches are required; however, these data do not need to be derived from the kidney cancer research field.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $2.4M to fund approximately 2 Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early- Career Scholar Award applications with total cost caps of $1.2M per award. The maximum period of performance is 4 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032.

Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Submission and Review Dates and Times

• Pre-Application (Letter of Intent) Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 14, 2026

• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, September 28, 2026

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, October 5, 2026

• Peer Review: December 2026

• Programmatic Review: March 2027

Announcement Type: Modified

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526KCRPAKCIECSA

Assistance Listing Number: 12.420

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2. Eligibility Information

2.1. Eligible Applicants

2.1.1. Organization

Extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War (DOW) organizations are eligible to apply, including foreign and domestic organizations, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and public or private entities.

2.1.2. Principal Investigator

• Early-Career Scholar (ECS)

○ Must be less than seven years from their last postdoctoral research position (Ph.D.), clinical fellowship (M.D.), or equivalent, by the full application submission deadline.

– A Statement of Eligibility is required with the submission of the full application; see Attachment 10.

○ Individuals in a postdoctoral research position (Ph.D.), clinical fellowship (M.D.), or equivalent, at the time of the full application submission deadline are not eligible.

○ May be a research scientist or physician-scientist.

○ Must have an institutional commitment of approximately 50% protected time for kidney cancer research and Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators (AKCI) activities, including participation in monthly webinars.

– Must commit no less than 25% effort to this award for the first two years.

– If recommended for funding, must not have a concurrent career-development-like award at the time this award is made.

– May be in a non-tenure-track or tenure-track position.

– May be named on only one FY26 Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early- Career Scholar Award (AKCI-ECSA) application as a Principal Investigator (PI).

• Designated Mentor

○ Must be an independent, established kidney cancer investigator with a record of kidney cancer publications in peer-reviewed journals.

– The current AKCI Director and Deputy Director must not be named as a primary Designated Mentor on an FY26 AKCI-ECS application.

– A current AKCI Designated Mentor can only be a Designated Mentor to one AKCI- ECS; thus, current AKCI Designated Mentors cannot be named as a Designated Mentor in an FY26 application unless the period of performance of the current AKCI- ECSA mechanism ends no later than July 2027.

○ May be at the same institution as the ECS.

– If not at the same institution, another mentor (“Other Mentor,” see below) at the ECS’s institution must also be included in the application submission.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Content_Form_Full_App_Submission:~:text=pre%2Dapplication%20submission.-,Extramural%20Organization%3A,-A%20foreign%20or https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=Intramural%20DOW%20Organization%3A%20A%20subset%20of%20intragovernmental%20organizations%3B%20refers%20specifically%20to%20DOW%20organizations%2C%20including%20DOW%20laboratories%2C%20DOW%20military%20treatment%20facilities%2C%20and/or%20DOW%20activities%20embedded%20within%20a%20civilian%20medical%20center.

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○ Must demonstrate a commitment (e.g., mentoring and participating in Academy activities such as offsite meetings and webinars) to develop and sustain the ECS’s independent career in kidney cancer research.

– Off-site Academy activities include annual in-person workshops and monthly web-based meetings.

○ Mentoring responsibilities include mentoring the ECS (i.e., the PI of this award) and an additional ECS within the Academy.

○ Must not be the named Designated Mentor on another FY26 AKCI-ECSA application, nor serve as a Designated Mentor on an open AKCI-ECSA.

○ The Director and Deputy Director of the AKCI may not be listed as a Designated Mentor.

• Other Mentor (if applicable)

○ Must be at the same institution as the ECS.

○ Must be an independent researcher with relevant expertise, but not necessarily in kidney cancer.

○ Must show cancer research funding (past and present).

Independent investigators affiliated with an eligible organization are eligible to be named PI on the application, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or citizenship status.

2.2. Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not an eligibility requirement.

2.3. Other

Awards are made to eligible organizations, not to individuals. Refer to the GAI for additional recipient qualification requirements.

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3. Program Description

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) is soliciting applications to this funding opportunity using delegated authority provided by United States Code, Title 10, Section 4001 (10 USC 4001). The CDMRP is the program office managing this FY26 funding opportunity as part of the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP). The CDMRP is located within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development (DHA R&D), which is a part of the Department of Defense, DOD, herein referred to using the secondary title Department of War, DOW. Congress initiated the KCRP in 2017 to provide support for research of high potential impact and exceptional scientific merit. Appropriations for the KCRP from FY17 through FY24 totaled $285 million (M). The FY26 appropriation is $15M.

The KCRP’s vision is to conquer kidney cancer through collaboration and discovery. The mission of the FY26 KCRP is to promote rigorous, innovative, high-impact research in kidney cancer for the benefit of Service Members, their Families, Veterans and the American Public.

Within this context, the KCRP supports research and clinical care that addresses the following KCRP overarching strategic goals:

• Advance understanding of the biology of kidney cancer.

○ Encourage innovative ideas with high impact.

• Develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of kidney cancer.

○ Identify new targets.

○ Develop pharmacological, immunological, genetic, microbiome or other interventions.

○ Optimize prognostic or predictive markers to assist with therapeutic decision-making.

○ Repurpose existing and currently approved interventions.

• Improve patient care for kidney cancer.

○ Integrate bench research with bedside care and promote translational research.

○ Invest in early-career kidney cancer physicians – next generation.

○ Facilitate multi-site collaborative clinical research development and clinical trials.

○ Identify strategies to improve outcomes in populations with unequal burden of kidney cancer.

• Increase research resources and collaborations in the area of kidney cancer.

○ Invest in innovative research conducted by the next generation of kidney cancer physicians and scientists.

○ Facilitate multi-site collaborative clinical research development and clinical trials.

○ Encourage experts inside and outside the field of kidney cancer to apply knowledge for advancements.

○ Foster collaborations that cross translational, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

3.1. Award History

The KCRP AKCI-ECSA mechanism was first offered in FY19. Since then, 40 AKCI-ECSA applications were received, and 14 were recommended for funding.

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3.2. Intent of the AKCI-ECSA

The intent of the FY26 KCRP AKCI-ECSA mechanism is to solicit applications for Scholars to join the existing AKCI. This award mechanism enables the ECS (the investigator named as the PI on the application) to pursue a kidney cancer project with the guidance of the Designated Mentor and the AKCI Leadership Team. The ECS proposed project may include basic, translational, and/or clinical research, and must address at least one of the FY26 KCRP Focus Areas.

The AKCI is a virtual, interactive academy platform that provides a framework of intensive mentoring, iterative guidance with proposed research, national networking, scientific collaborations and a peer group of early-career investigators and clinicians (Early-Career Scholars) designed to increase research and vital resources in the field of kidney cancer.

The AKCI affords ECSs the opportunity to operate in a collegial, scientifically focused virtual center to advance cross-disciplinary investigations in kidney cancer. The AKCI will also provide the ECSs professional and leadership development, including the required skills and competencies needed to fund and manage a productive laboratory, lead a research team and become future leaders at the forefront in kidney cancer research.

The ECS shall participate in AKCI activities under the oversight of the Academy Leadership Team and with the support of their Designated Mentor(s). The ECS will conduct research, participate in monthly webinars, annual and biennial in-person workshops, and communicate and collaborate with other members of the Academy (other ECSs, mentors, and the Academy Leadership Team), as well as with the ACKI Advisory Panel, Patient Advisory Panel and the kidney cancer advocacy community.

The KCRP encourages applications that name ECSs whose ability to commit to conducting kidney cancer research is limited by the availability of resources (such as a qualified Designated Mentor at their institution, access to kidney cancer research tools, opportunities for establishing collaborations, or other obstacles, which should be identified in the application).

The Designated Mentor is not required to be at the same institution as the ECS. If the Designated Mentor is not at the ECS’s institution, another mentor termed “Other Mentor” at the ECS’s institution must also be included in the application submission.

3.2.1. Focus Areas for the AKCI-ECSA

To meet the intent of the funding opportunity, applications must address at least one of the FY26 KCRP focus areas, as presented below.

• Conduct basic biology research to better understand etiology and cancer progression, metastatic disease, refractory disease and therapeutic resistance, genetic and environmental risk factors, and the prevention of kidney cancer.

• Identify and develop new strategies for screening, early-stage detection, and accurate diagnosis and prognosis prediction of kidney cancers, including biomarkers and imaging and treatment of early-stage cancers.

• Define the biology of rare kidney cancers and develop treatments to improve outcomes and reduce death.

• Develop novel, less toxic therapeutic strategies for all types of kidney cancer.

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FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 9

• Identify and implement strategies to improve the quality of life and survivorship for kidney cancer patients.

• Identify and implement strategies to enhance outcomes in high-risk kidney cancer patients, including those with limited access to health care, exposure to environmental factors and genetic/biological factors.

• Increase capacity and multi-disciplinary research through support and development of the next generation of kidney cancer researchers to improve patient care.

3.2.2. Kidney Cancer Type Selection for the AKCI-ECSA

Applications must address at least one of the kidney cancer disease types, as presented below.

• Clear cell renal tumors

○ Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

○ Multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential

• Papillary renal tumors

○ Renal papillary adenoma

○ Papillary RCC

• Collecting duct carcinoma

• Oncocytic and chromophobe renal tumors

○ Oncocytoma

○ Chromophobe RCC

○ Other oncocytic tumors

• Renal cell carcinoma, unclassified

• Other renal tumors

○ Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma

○ Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma

○ Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma

○ Acquired cystic disease associated renal carcinoma

○ Eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma

• Molecularly defined renal carcinomas

○ Succinate dehydrogenase deficient RCC

○ Fumarate hydratase deficient RCC

○ MiT family translocation RCC

– TFE3 rearranged

– TFEB altered

○ Elongin C (TCEB1) mutated

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FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 10

○ Anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearranged RCC

○ SMARCB1 deficient renal medullary carcinoma

• Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma)

• Renal sarcoma

• Von Hippel-Lindau associated with kidney cancer

• Kidney cancer type - not classified/not applicable

3.2.3. Key Elements for the AKCI-ECSA

• Early-Career Scholar: The ECS must be in the early-career stage of their career (see Section 2, Eligibility Information). This award provides support and protected time for the ECS to conduct four years of intensive research under the guidance of a Designated Mentor experienced in kidney cancer research. The PI’s record of accomplishments and the proposed research will be evaluated regarding their potential to contribute to the FY26 KCRP Focus Area(s). Not all of the PI’s accomplishments need to be in the field of kidney cancer. Each ECS and Designated Mentor pair must develop an ECS career development plan and a research project outlining the study aims and detailing the experimental design.

The ECS must clearly articulate their commitment to a career as a kidney cancer researcher and to participating in and contributing to the growth of the AKCI.

• Designated Mentor: The Designated Mentor must have a strong record of mentoring and training early-career scientists and/or clinicians. With the goal to expand and enrich mentorship capacity within the Academy, the Designated Mentor will be the primary mentor for the PI (ECS) and, in addition, agrees to serve as a secondary mentor to another ECS in the AKCI. The Designated Mentor will be limited to one primary role (application ECS/ mentor pair) and one secondary mentorship role. The Designated Mentor must also commit to fully participating in the AKCI throughout the period of performance, including interacting with other ECSs and Designated Mentors, and engaging in AKCI activities (e.g., serving on the Advisory Panel) as requested by the Leadership Team. Additionally, both the ECS and Designated Mentor are expected to communicate and collaborate with other members of the AKCI; they must also build relationships with the Patient Advocacy Panel and the renal/ kidney cancer patient advocacy community at large. The Designated Mentor will attend the biennial multiday KCRP AKCI Workshop and, in alternating years, a one-day KCRP AKCI Workshop. Applications are not permitted to list the AKCI Director nor the Deputy Director as a Designated Mentor.

• Preliminary Data: Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research and approaches are required; however, these data do not need to be derived from the kidney cancer research field.

3.2.4. Other Important Considerations for the AKCI-ECSA

In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 732, the CDMRP does not support the conduct of painful research (U.S. Department of Agriculture pain category D or E) involving domestic cats or dogs, except for studies relating to military or service animals.

Clinical trials are not allowed within this funding opportunity.

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All projects should adhere to a core set of standards for rigorous study design and reporting to maximize the reproducibility and translational potential of clinical and preclinical research, such as those described in the STROBE, CONSORT, SPIRIT and ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines.

Applications from investigators within the DOW and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the DOW, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and the American Public. If the proposed research relies on access to unique resources or databases, the application must describe the access at the time of submission and include a plan for maintaining access as needed throughout the proposed research.

The following encouragement is broadly applicable across many CDMRP programs, including the KCRP. A congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending the lives of advanced state and recurrent patients. As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, CDMRP encourages applicants to review the recommendations and submit research ideas to address these recommendations provided they are within the limitations of this funding opportunity and fit within the FY26 KCRP priorities.

3.3. Funding Instrument

The funding instrument for awards made under the program announcement will be grants

(31 USC 6304).

3.4. Funding Details

Period of Performance: The maximum period of performance is 4 years.

Cost Cap: The application’s total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance should not exceed $1.2M. If indirect cost rates have been negotiated, indirect costs are to be budgeted in accordance with the organization’s negotiated rate. Collaborating organizations should budget associated indirect costs in accordance with each organization’s negotiated rate.

All direct and indirect costs of any subaward or contract must be included in the direct costs of the primary award.

The applicant may request the entire maximum funding amount for a project that may have a period of performance less than the maximum 4 years.

The appropriateness of the budget for the proposed research will be assessed during peer review.

Direct Cost Restrictions: For this award mechanism, direct costs:

Must be requested for:

• Travel costs for the ECS and Designated Mentor (and Other Mentor, if applicable) to attend a biennial KCRP multiday Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators Workshop with KCRP staff, Academy Leadership Team and other Academy members.

• Travel costs for the ECS and Designated Mentor (and Other Mentor, if applicable) to attend a KCRP 1-day AKCI Workshop in alternating years with the Academy Leadership Team https://www.strobe-statement.org/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03635-5#:~:text=SPIRIT%20and%20CONSORT%20are%20evidence,relevant%20empirical%20evidence%20where%20possible https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03668-w?fromPaywallRec=false https://arriveguidelines.org/arrive-guidelines https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=Period%20of%20Performance%3A%20The%20time%20interval%20between%20the%20start%20of%20a%20federal%20award%20and%20the%20planned%20end%20date.

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FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 12 and other Academy members. These travel costs are in addition to those allowed for annual scientific/technical meetings.

May be requested for (not all-inclusive):

• Salary (ECS, Designated Mentor, Other Mentor, if applicable, and research staff).

• Funding for the Designated Mentor(s)’s salary support, up to the equivalent of two calendar months per year.

• Funding for the Other Mentor (if requested, must be justified)

• Travel costs between collaborating organizations.

• Costs associated with participating in required virtual Academy meetings.

• Costs for the ECS to travel to two scientific/technical meetings per year. The intent of travel to scientific/technical meetings should be to present project information or disseminate project results from the FY26 KCRP AKC-ECSA.

Must not be requested for:

• Tuition.

• Clinical trial costs.

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4. Application Contents and Format

4.1. Application Overview

Application submission is a two-step process requiring both a pre-application submitted via the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) and a full application submitted through eBRAP or Grants.gov. Depending on the submission portal, certain aspects of the application will differ.

Intramural DOW organizations submitting a full application should follow instructions for submission through eBRAP.

Extramural organizations submitting a full application must follow instructions for submission through Grants.gov.

4.2. Pre-Application Components

Pre-application submissions must include the following components.

Letter of Intent (LOI) (one-page limit): Provide a brief description of the research to be conducted. Include the focus area(s) under which the application will be submitted.

4.3. Full Application Components

Each application submission must include the completed full application package for this program announcement. See Appendix 1 for a checklist of the full application components.

(a) SF424 Research & Related Application for Federal Assistance Form (Grants.gov submissions only):

IMPORTANT: When completing the SF424 R&R, enter the eBRAP log number assigned during pre-application submission into Block 4a – Federal Identifier.

(b) Attachments:

Each attachment of the full application components must be uploaded as an individual file in the format specified and in accordance with the formatting guidelines in the GAI.

○ Attachment 1: Project Narrative (10-page limit): Upload as “ProjectNarrative.pdf”.

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

– ECS Career Goals (one-page limit is recommended): Discuss the ECS’s record of accomplishments (e.g., awards, honors, first-author publications, publications in high-impact journals, presentations/speaking engagements, committees) that demonstrates their potential for becoming an independent investigator in kidney cancer research. Also, explain how the proposed research and career development experience promote an independent, sustainable career.

– Research Project and Feasibility (nine-page limit is recommended): Concisely explain the project’s specific aims to be funded by this application. Describe the experimental design, methods and analyses (including appropriate randomization, blinding, sample-size estimation and controls) in sufficient detail for analysis.

Address potential problem areas, and present alternative methods and approaches.

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The specific aims should be aligned with the specific aims/tasks outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW).

▪ Describe how data will be collected, handled and analyzed in a manner that is consistent with the study objectives.

▪ Describe the statistical plan including a power analysis to demonstrate that the sample size is appropriate to meet the objectives of the study.

▪ Consult appropriate guidelines to ensure that relevant aspects of rigorous and reproducible research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported.

▪ If cell lines or animals are to be used, justify why the proposed cell line(s) or animal model(s) were chosen.

▪ If human subjects, human biological samples or datasets will be used, describe the study population and include a detailed plan for the recruitment of human subjects or the acquisition of samples. This award may not be used to conduct clinical trials. For all applications proposing clinical research, describe the strategy for the inclusion of women and minorities appropriate to the objectives of the study, including a description of the composition of the proposed study population in terms of sex, racial and ethnic group, and an accompanying rationale for the selection of subjects. Studies utilizing human biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, ethnicity or race (typically classified as exempt from Institutional Review Board [IRB] review) are exempt from this requirement. Anticipated enrollment table(s) with the proposed enrollment distributed on the basis of sex, race and ethnicity should be provided as part of the application’s Supporting Documentation (Attachment 2).

▪ If the proposed research involves access to military and/or VA patient populations and/or DOW or VA resources or databases, describe the access at the time of submission and include a plan for maintaining access as needed throughout the proposed research. Also include a plan for obtaining any required data sharing, memorandum of understanding or other agreements required to access and publish data. Refer to the GAI, Appendix 4, for additional considerations.

○ Attachment 2: Supporting Documentation: Combine and upload as a single file named “Support.pdf”.

There are no page limits for these components unless otherwise noted. Include only components described below; inclusion of items not requested or viewed as an extension of the Project Narrative will result in the removal of those items or may result in administrative withdrawal of the application.

References Cited: List the references cited in the Project Narrative using a standard reference format (include URLs, if available).

List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Symbols: Provide a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols.

Facilities, Existing Equipment and Other Resources: Describe the facilities and equipment available for performance of the proposed project; include any additional facilities or equipment proposed for acquisition at no cost to the award. Indicate whether government-furnished facilities or equipment are proposed for use. If so, reference the original or present government award under which the facilities or https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#:~:text=considered%20clinical%20trials.-,Clinical%20Research,-%3A%20For%20the https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_eBRAP:~:text=APPENDIX%204.%0AUSE%20OF%20DOW%20OR%20U.S.%20DEPARTMENT%20OF%20VETERANS%20AFFAIRS%20RESOURCES https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Supporting%20Documentation%3A,-Combine%20and%20attach

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 15 equipment items are now accountable. There is not a standardized form for this information.

Publications and/or Patents: Include a list of relevant publication URLs and/or patent abstracts. If articles are not publicly available, then copies of up to five published manuscripts may be included in Attachment 2. Extra items will not be reviewed.

Letters of Support (two-page limit per letter is recommended): Provide individual letters signed by collaborating individuals and/or organizational officials demonstrating that the PI has the support and resources necessary for the proposed work. Letters from the PI’s Department Chair, or appropriate organization official, should also confirm that the PI(s) meet eligibility criteria. If applicable, provide a letter of support, signed by the lowest-ranking person with approval authority, confirming participation of intramural DOW collaborator(s) and/or access to military populations, databases or DOW resources. If applicable, provide a letter of support signed by the VA Facility Director(s), or an individual designated by the VA Facility Director(s), confirming access to VA patients, resources and/or VA research space.

Sex as a Biological Variable Strategy (two-page limit is recommended):

Describe the strategy for how sex will be considered as a biological variable. This strategy should include a brief discussion of what is currently known regarding sex differences in the applicable research area. Clearly articulate how sex as a biological variable will be factored into the data analysis plan and how data will be collected and disaggregated by sex. If needed, provide a strong rationale for proposing a single-sex study, based on justification from scientific literature, preliminary data or other relevant considerations. Refer to the CDMRP Directive on Sex as a Biological Variable in Research for additional information.

Research Sharing Plan: Describe the type of data or research resources (e.g., bio-specimen, analysis tool/software, training material) to be made publicly available as a result of the proposed work. Describe the mechanism (e.g., direct sharing, repository, mixed mode) by which data and resources generated during the period of performance will be shared with the research community and other affected communities, including clinical research participants. Include the name of the repository(ies) where scientific data and resources arising from the proposed study will be archived, if applicable. Identify and provide the rationale for any data or resources that will not be shared (e.g., for intellectual property, feasibility, cost or other considerations). The plan should also protect participant privacy, confidential and proprietary data, and performer/third-party intellectual property. Provide a milestone plan for disseminating data/results including when data and resources will be made available to other users. In cases where the study participant could potentially derive medical or other benefit from the information, explain whether the results of screening and/or study participation will be shared with the participant or their primary care provider, including results from any screening or diagnostic tests performed as part of the study.

Inclusion Enrollment Report (only required if clinical research is proposed):

Provide an anticipated enrollment table(s) for the inclusion of women and minorities using the “Public Health Service (PHS) Inclusion Enrollment Report”, a three-page fillable PDF form, that can be downloaded from eBRAP. The enrollment table(s) should be appropriate to the objectives of the study with the proposed enrollment distributed on the basis of sex, race and ethnicity. Studies utilizing human https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/CDMRP%20SABV%20Directive_Revised_MAR2025_signed.pdf https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/CDMRP%20SABV%20Directive_Revised_MAR2025_signed.pdf https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Statement%20of%20Work-,Public%20Health%20Service%20Inclusion%20Enrollment%20Report,-n/a

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 16 biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, ethnicity or race (typically classified as exempt from IRB review) are exempt from this requirement.

Do not submit a copy of the National Institutes of Health Data Management and Sharing Plan or duplicate the Data Management Plan, which will be requested only after a recommendation for funding is made.

Refer to the CDMRP Directive on Sharing Data and Research Resources for more information about the CDMRP’s expectations for making data and research resources publicly available.

○ Attachment 3: Technical Abstract (one-page limit): Upload as “TechAbs.pdf”.

Write the technical abstract using the outline below. Clarity and completeness within the space limits are highly important.

Career Development and Sustainment Plan

▪ Summarize how the proposed research and Career Development and Sustainment Plan will facilitate and sustain the ECS’s independent career at the forefront of kidney cancer research.

▪ Describe how the proposed research project allows the PI to make valuable contributions to kidney cancer.

Research Plan

▪ Background: Present the ideas and reasoning behind the proposed work.

▪ Hypothesis: State the hypothesis to be tested. Provide supporting evidence or rationale.

▪ Specific Aims: State the specific aims of the study.

▪ Study Design: Briefly describe the study design, including appropriate controls.

Impact

▪ Describe how the proposed research will make an important contribution toward the goal of eliminating kidney cancer.

▪ Describe the potential impact of the proposed research on the health and well-being of Service Members, their Families, Veterans and/or the American public who are impacted by this disease.

○ Attachment 4: Lay Abstract (one-page limit): Upload as “LayAbs.pdf”.

The lay abstract should address the points outlined below in a manner that is readily understood by readers without a background in science or medicine. Avoid overuse of scientific jargon, acronyms and abbreviations. Do not duplicate the technical abstract.

– Describe the hypothesis, supporting evidence, and scientific rationale for the proposed project.

– Describe the PI’s career goals in kidney cancer research.

▪ How do the research and the career development plan support the PI in attaining these goals?

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Directive%20on%20Sharing%20Data%20and%20Research%20Resources https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Lay%20Abstract%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CLayAbs https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Technical%20Abstract%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CTechAbs

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 17

– Describe how the PI will participate in and contribute to the growth of the AKCI.

– Describe the ultimate applicability of the research.

▪ What types of patients will it help and how will it help them?

▪ What are the potential clinical applications, benefits and risks?

▪ What is the projected time it may take to achieve a patient-related outcome?

– What are the likely contributions of this study to advancing our knowledge of kidney cancer?

– What is the potential impact of the proposed research on the health and well-being of Service Members, their Families, Veterans and/or the American public who are impacted by this disease?

○ Attachment 5: Statement of Work (three-page limit): Upload as “SOW.pdf”.

Refer to eBRAP for the Suggested SOW Format.

For guidance on preparing the SOW, refer to either the Example: Assembling a Clinical Research and/or Clinical Trial Statement of Work or Example: Assembling a Generic Statement of Work, whichever is most appropriate for the proposed effort. Include milestones for data or research resource(s) sharing.

○ Attachment 6: Impact Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Impact.pdf”. Explain how the proposed research and the Career Development and Sustainment Plan will facilitate professional development and sustain the ECS’s independent career at the forefront of kidney cancer research. Describe, in a manner readily understood by readers without a background in science or medicine, how the proposed research will make an important contribution toward the goal of eliminating kidney cancer. If applicable, describe how the anticipated outcomes of the proposed study will make an impact in understanding health differences between sexes.

○ Attachment 7: Career Development and Sustainment Plan (five-page limit): Upload as “CareerSustain.pdf”.

– Describe the individualized career and professional development plan, which may include workshops, conferences, seminars, journal clubs, teaching responsibilities and/or clinical responsibilities. Explain how this development plan allows the ECS to obtain independent kidney cancer research funding and to publish in peer-reviewed journals, thereby sustaining an independent career at the forefront of kidney cancer research.

– Discuss how the Designated Mentor and Other Mentor, if applicable, will assist the ECS in not only developing, but also sustaining, a career as an independent kidney cancer researcher. Explain how the Career Development and Sustainment Plan is supported by the environment; this should include a description of resources available to the ECS at their institution and, if different, at the Designated Mentor’s institution.

– Outline how the ECS and Designated Mentor (and Other Mentor, if applicable) will evaluate the ECS’s progress in achieving and sustaining a productive career in kidney cancer research.

– Integration of Career Development and Research (one-page limit is recommended): Describe how the individualized career development plan and https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Suggested%20SOW%20Format https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Clinical%20Research%20and/or%20Clinical%20Trial%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Clinical%20Research%20and/or%20Clinical%20Trial%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Statement%20of%20Work%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CSOW

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Kidney Cancer Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award 18 research project are integrated and how they will contribute to preparing the ECS for an independent, sustainable career in kidney cancer research.

– Commitment to the AKCI (one-page limit is recommended): Describe why participation in the AKCI is important in developing the ECS’s career. Describe the ECS’s motivation and commitment to participating in the AKCI, including opportunities for networking and collaborating with other ECS/Designated Mentor pairs (and, if applicable, Other Mentor) and the Academy Leadership Team.

○ Attachment 8: Designated Mentor’s Letter (three-page limit): Upload as “MentorLetter.pdf”.

– The Designated Mentor’s letter should describe the ECS’s background and potential to become an independent kidney cancer researcher. Explain how this award will enhance the ECS’s capabilities to sustain a career in kidney cancer research.

– Describe the Designated Mentor’s background and experience in kidney cancer research, as well as their record of mentoring and training early-career investigators.

Specify the commitment of the Designated Mentor (at least 5% effort) and their staff to the ECS’s professional development and career sustainment. Describe the specific resources that will facilitate success for the ECS.

– Explain why the Designated Mentor will be an excellent fit in the Academy irrespective of their accomplishments as a researcher and mentor to other ECSs.

Describe the Designated Mentor’s motivation and commitment to participating in the AKCI, including with other ECS/Designated Mentor pairs and the Academy Leadership Team. Describe the Designated Mentor’s commitment and time to serve as a Secondary Mentor to another ECS in the AKCI.

○ Attachment 9: Other Mentor’s Letter (if applicable) (three-page limit): Upload as “OtherMentor.pdf”.