HT942526KCRPCA_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

Concept Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526KCRPCA

Pre-Application Due: July 28, 2026

Application Due: August 11, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Kidney Cancer Concept 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 Concept 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

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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

FY26 Kidney Cancer Concept Award 4

1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Concept Award supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking concepts, theories, paradigms and/or basic kidney cancer research. This award mechanism supports high-risk studies that have the potential to reveal entirely new avenues for investigation in kidney cancer.

Applications must describe how the new concept will be innovative and present a novel course of investigation in the field of kidney cancer.

Distinctive Features:

• Preliminary data are not allowed.

• This is a blinded funding mechanism. Applications to this funding opportunity will undergo a double-blinded peer review. Applications must not include any materials that may identify the Principal Investigator (PI), a collaborator, or the organization of the PI or collaborator.

• Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the PI, collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the proposal (Project Narrative, List of Abbreviations, Acronyms, Symbols, Statement of Work, Impact Statement and Innovation Statement) is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $840,000 to fund approximately 7 Concept Award applications with total cost caps of $120,000 per award. The maximum period of performance is 1 year. 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), July 28, 2026

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

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, August 17, 2026

• Peer Review: October 2026

• Programmatic Review: December 2026

Announcement Type: Modified

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526KCRPCA

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

Individuals affiliated with an eligible organization are eligible to be named Principal Investigator (PI) on the application, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or citizenship status.

Investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent) are eligible to be named PI on this application. An investigator may be named as a PI on only one FY26 Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Concept Award application.

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.

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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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 (KC) for the benefit of Service Members, their Families, Veterans and the American Public. Within this context, the KCRP is interested in supporting 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 Concept Award mechanism was first offered in FY17. Since then, 587 Concept Award applications were received, and 73 were recommended for funding.

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3.2. Intent of the Concept Award

The FY26 KCRP Concept Award supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in kidney cancer that address at least one of the FY26 KCRP Focus Areas. The Concept Award is not intended to support incremental progression of an established research project; instead, it allows PIs to pursue serendipitous observations.

Preliminary data are not allowed and should not be discussed. This award mechanism supports high-risk studies with potential to reveal entirely new avenues for investigation.

Applications must describe how the new idea will enhance the existing knowledge of kidney cancers or develop an innovative and novel course of investigation. Research completed through a Concept Award is expected to generate preliminary data for future avenues of scientific investigations.

3.2.1. Focus Areas for the Concept Award

To meet the intent of the funding opportunity, applications must address at least one of the FY26 KCRP focus areas, as presented below. Selection of the focus area(s) is the responsibility of the applicant.

• 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.

• Identify and implement strategies to improve 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 Concept Award

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

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FY26 Kidney Cancer Concept Award 8

• 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

○ 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 Concept Award

Preliminary data are not allowed.

Reviewers will be blinded to the identity of the PI, collaborator(s) and their organization(s). Refer to Section 4.3, Full Application Components for more information.

Innovation: Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities.

Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative and is not consistent with the intent of the award mechanism.

Although not all-inclusive, the following examples are ways in which the proposed research project may be innovative:

• Explores a novel idea and/or research question in KC research and/or patient care.

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FY26 Kidney Cancer Concept Award 9

• Uses or develops novel methods or technologies to address a question in KC research and/or patient care.

• Applies or adapts existing methods or technologies for novel KC research or clinical purposes that differ fundamentally from those originally intended.

3.2.4. Other Important Considerations for the Concept Award

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.

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 1 year.

Cost Cap: The application’s total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance should not exceed $120,000. 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.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=or%20hardware%20procurement.-,Clinical%20Trial%3A,-As%20defined%20in 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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The applicant may request the entire maximum funding amount for a project that may have a period of performance less than the maximum 1 year.

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

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

May be requested for (not all-inclusive):

• Travel in support of multi-institutional collaborations.

• Costs for one investigator to travel to one scientific/technical meeting per year. The intent of travel to scientific/technical meetings should be to present project information or disseminate project results from the KCRP Concept Award.

Must not be requested for:

• Clinical trial costs.

• Costs for travel to scientific/technical meeting(s) beyond the limits stated above.

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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 FY26 KCRP Focus Area(s), the kidney cancer type and, if appropriate, another important problem or unmet need in KC research and/or patient care to be addressed.

4.3. Full Application Components

Reviewers will be blinded to the identity of the PI, collaborator(s), and their organization(s). Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the PI(s), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the Project Narrative, List of Abbreviations, Acronyms, Symbols, Statement of Work (SOW), Impact Statement, or Innovation Statement is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application. In addition, the use of “I,” “we,” “our,” “this organization,” or similar phrases that refer to the PI(s), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) through the references listed, or the use of formatting (e.g., bolding, underlining, names in headers/footers), inclusion of citations to unpublished manuscripts, inclusion of URLs (uniform resource locators, or web addresses), or in any other way highlighting the names of the PI(s), collaborator(s), or their organization(s), is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

The following forms are required but will not be forwarded for peer review or programmatic review: Research & Related Budget, Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form (if applicable), Biographical Sketch, previous/current/pending support and Project/ Performance Site Location(s) Form. These documents will be used for administrative purposes only.

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.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=(a)%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20SF424%20(R%26R)%20%E2%80%93%20Application%20for%20Federal%20Assistance%20Form https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_Grants:~:text=IV.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20GRANTS.GOV https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_eBRAP:~:text=V.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20eBRAP

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(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 (one-page limit): Upload as “ProjectNarrative.pdf”.

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

Rationale: Articulate clearly the sound scientific rationale that supports the proposed research.

Objectives: State concisely the specific aims and/or study objectives.

Methods: Describe the experimental design, methods, and analyses, including appropriate controls, if applicable. Address potential problem areas and present alternative methods and approaches. Details should include the specific name/ genetic background of any/all model systems.

Outcomes: Articulate how the study has the potential to generate any preliminary data or findings that can be used as a foundation for future research projects.

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

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).

Do not include URLs that identify the PI(s), collaborator(s), or the organization(s) of the PI(s) or collaborator(s).

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

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 or other relevant considerations. Refer to the CDMRP Directive on Sex as a Biological Variable in Research for additional information.

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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.

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: 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 Example: Assembling a Generic Statement of Work. Include milestones for data or research resource(s) sharing.

Identifying or making references to the PI(s), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the SOW is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

○ Attachment 4: Impact Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Impact.pdf”. Describe how the proposed research will make an original and important contribution toward advancing basic, translational, or clinical kidney cancer research, or on the quality of life of individuals with kidney cancer that can be readily understood by readers without a background in science or medicine. Provide a brief statement describing the impact, short-term and/or long-term, of this research on the field of kidney cancer.

If applicable, describe how the anticipated outcomes of the proposed study will make an impact in understanding health differences between sexes.

○ Attachment 5: Innovation Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Innovation.pdf”.

Describe how the proposed research is innovative in one or more of the following ways:

concept or question, research methods or technologies, adaptations of existing methods or technologies, or other ways. Explain how exploring the concept may lead to new areas of research. Describe how the proposed research represents more than an incremental advance beyond ongoing research and published data.

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○ Attachment 6: Representations (Grants.gov submissions only): Upload as “RequiredReps.pdf”. All extramural applicants must complete and submit the Required Representations document available on eBRAP.

○ Attachment 7: Suggested Intragovernmental/Intramural Budget Form (if applicable): Upload as “IGBudget.pdf”. If an intramural DOW organization will be a collaborator in the performance of the project, complete a separate budget for that organization using the Suggested Intragovernmental/Intramural Budget form available on eBRAP.

(c) Additional Application Materials:

The following are additional forms for application submission. Follow the instructions specific to the submission portal, as found within the GAI.

i. Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

○ Biographical Sketch

○ Current/Pending Support

Intragovernmental applicants must include their internally supported research and development programs.

ii. Research & Related Budget

iii. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

iv. Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) (if applicable, Grants.gov submissions only)

4.4. Other Application Elements

If recommended for funding, a data management plan compliant with Section 3.c, Enclosure 3, DoD Instructions 3200.12 will be requested.

If recommended for funding, applicants will be requested to provide Technical and Lay abstracts prior to award.

The government reserves the right to request a revised budget, budget justification and/or additional information for applications recommended for funding.

External Link to the GAI

Grants.gov

External Link to the GAI eBRAP.org https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Required%20Representations 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.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Suggested%20Intragovernmental/Intramural%20Budget https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/320012p.pdf?ver=2018-12-17-130508-423 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=B.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20Representations https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=Suggested%20Intragovernmental/Intramural%20Budget%20Form%2C%20if%20applicable%3A https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Additional_App_Materials_IV:~:text=C.-,Additional%20Application%20Materials,-The%20following%20are https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Additional_App_Materials_V:~:text=B.-,Additional%20Application%20Materials,-The%20following%20are https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Additional_App_Materials_V:~:text=E.-,DOW%20Data%20Management%20Plan,-If%20recommended%20for

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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5. Submission Requirements

5.1. Location of Application Package

Download the application package components for HT942526KCRPCA from Grants.gov or eBRAP, depending on which submission portal will be used.

5.2. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management

The applicant organization must be registered as an entity in the System for Award Management (SAM), SAM.gov, and receive confirmation of an “Active” status before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Organizations must include the unique entity identifier (UEI) generated by the SAM in applications to this funding opportunity and maintain an active registration in the SAM at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration.

5.3. Submission Instructions

The CDMRP uses two portal systems to accept pre- and full application submissions. The workflow below shows which portal system to use for pre- and full application submissions, respectively.

Application Submission Workflow

5.3.1. Pre-Application Submission

All pre-application components must be submitted by the PI through eBRAP.

During the pre-application process, eBRAP assigns each submission a unique log number. This unique log number is required during the full application submission process. The https://grants.gov/ https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm https://www.sam.gov/content/home https://ebrap.org/ https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Additional_App_Materials_V:~:text=Obtain%20Unique%20Entity%20Identifier%20from%20System%20for%20Award%20Management https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_PreApp_Submission:~:text=III.-,PRE%2DAPPLICATION%20SUBMISSION,-General%20information%20about

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 Concept Award 16 eBRAP log number, application title and all information for the PI, Business Official(s), performing organization, and contracting organization must be consistent throughout the entire pre-application and full application submission process. Inconsistencies may delay application processing and limit or negate the ability to view, modify and verify the application in eBRAP.

Contact the eBRAP Help Desk if any changes need to be made.

5.3.2. Full Application Submission

Grants.gov Submissions: Full applications from extramural organizations must be submitted through the Grants.gov Workspace.

eBRAP Submissions: Only intramural DOW organizations may submit full applications through eBRAP.

5.3.3. Applicant Verification of Full Application Submission in eBRAP

Independent of the submission portal, once the full application is submitted, it is transmitted to and processed in eBRAP; the transmission to eBRAP may take up to 48 hours. At this stage, the PI and organizational representatives will receive an email from eBRAP instructing them to log in to eBRAP to review, modify and verify the full application submission.

The Project Narrative and Research & Related Budget Form cannot be changed after the application submission deadline. Other application components, including subaward budget(s) and subaward budget justification(s), may be changed until the application verification period ends. The full application cannot be modified once the application verification period ends.

5.4. Submission Dates and Times

The pre-application and full application submission process should be started early to avoid missing deadlines. Regardless of submission portal used, all pre- and full application components must be submitted by the deadlines stipulated in this program announcement.

There are no grace periods for deadlines; failure to meet submission deadlines will result in application rejection. The DHACA cannot make allowances/exceptions for submission problems encountered by the applicant.

Submission dates and times are specified in Section 1, Basic Information.

5.5. Intergovernmental Review

Not applicable for this funding opportunity.

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.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_Grants:~:text=IV.-,FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20GRANTS.GOV,-A.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_eBRAP:~:text=V.-,FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20eBRAP,-A.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Applicant_Verification_Grants_Submission:~:text=E.-,Applicant%20Verification%20of%20Grants.gov%20Submission%20in%20eBRAP,-Once%20the%20full

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 Concept Award 17

6. Application Review Information

6.1. Application Compliance Review

Submitting applications that propose essentially the same research project to different funding opportunities within the same program and fiscal year is prohibited and will result in administrative withdrawal of the duplicative application(s).

While it is allowable to propose similar research projects to different programs within the CDMRP or to other organizations, duplication of funding or accepting funding from more than one source for the same research is prohibited. See the CDMRP’s Directive on Research Duplication.

Including classified research data within the application and/or proposing research that may produce classified outcomes or outcomes deemed sensitive to national security concerns, may result in application withdrawal.

Members of the FY26 KCRP Programmatic Panel must not be involved in any pre-application or full application including, but not limited to, concept design, application development, budget preparation and the development of any supporting documentation, including personal letters of support/recommendation for the research and/or PI. Programmatic panel members may provide letters to confirm PI eligibility and access to laboratory space, equipment and other resources necessary for the project if that is part of their regular roles and responsibilities (e.g., as Department Chair). A list of the FY26 KCRP Programmatic Panel members can be found on the CDMRP website.

Additional restrictions and associated administrative responses are outlined in Section 9.2, Administrative Actions.

6.2. Review Criteria

6.2.1. Pre-Application Screening Criteria

Pre-applications submitted to this funding opportunity are used for program planning purposes only (e.g., reviewer recruitment) and will not be screened.

6.2.2. Peer Review Criteria

To determine technical merit, all applications will be evaluated individually according to the following scored criteria, which are of equal importance:

• Innovation

○ To what extent the proposed research is innovative in one or more of the following ways:

concept or question, research methods or technologies, adaptations of existing methods or technologies, or other ways.

○ To what extent exploring the concept may lead to new areas of research.

○ How well the proposed research represents more than an incremental advance beyond ongoing or published research.

• Impact

○ How well the proposed research addresses at least one of the FY26 KCRP Focus Areas.

https://cdmrp.health.mil/funding/researchDup https://cdmrp.health.mil/funding/researchDup https://cdmrp.health.mil/kcrp/panels/panels26.pdf https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Applicant_Verification_Grants_Submission:~:text=Classified%20Information%2C%20Data%20or%20Outcomes

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 Concept Award 18

○ To what extent the anticipated outcomes of the proposed study will make an impact in the field of kidney cancer.

○ To what extent the proposed research will, in the short-term or long-term, lead to an original and important contribution toward advancing basic, translational, or clinical kidney cancer research, or on the quality of life of individuals with kidney cancer.

○ If applicable, to what extent the anticipated outcomes of the proposed study will make an impact in understanding health differences between sexes.

• Research Strategy

○ To what degree the proposed research is supported by sound scientific rationale.

○ To what degree the experimental design and methodology are appropriate to address the stated specific aims and/or objectives.

○ Whether the application addresses potential problem areas and presents alternative methods and approaches.

○ To what extent the research has the potential to generate preliminary data or findings that can be used as a foundation for future research projects.

○ How well the study (or studies) is designed to achieve reproducible and rigorous results, including the controls, sample size estimation, blinding, randomization and data handling.

○ If applicable, whether the strategy for considering sex as a biological variable is appropriate to the objectives of the study, or whether the justification for a single-sex study is sufficiently strong.

In addition, the following criteria will also contribute to the overall evaluation of the application, but will not be individually scored and are therefore termed unscored criteria:

• Research Sharing Plan

○ To what extent the plan for sharing of project data and research resources is appropriate and reasonable and includes dissemination to affected communities, study participants and/or the scientific community. If applicable, whether specific repository(ies) are named where data and research resources arising from the project will be stored.

• Budget

○ Whether the budget is appropriate for the proposed research.

• Application Presentation

○ To what extent the writing, clarity, and presentation of the application components influence the review.

6.2.3. Programmatic Review

To make funding recommendations and select the application(s) that, individually or collectively, will best achieve the program objectives, the following criteria are used by programmatic reviewers:

• Ratings and evaluations of peer reviewers

• Relevance to the priorities of the FY26 KCRP, as evidenced by the following:

○ Adherence to the intent of the funding opportunity

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 Concept Award 19

○ Programmatic relevance to the FY26 KCRP Focus Areas

○ Program portfolio composition

○ Relative innovation

○ Relative impact

6.3. Application Review and Selection Process

6.3.1. Pre-Application

There is no review and selection process for pre-applications submitted to this funding opportunity. CDMRP will NOT provide an invitation to submit a full application after pre-application submission. Applicants are encouraged to develop pre-application and full application components concurrently and submit a full application AFTER successful submission of the pre-application.

6.3.2. Full Application

All applications are evaluated by scientists, clinicians and consumers in a two-tier review process. The first tier is peer review, the evaluation of applications against established criteria to determine technical merit, where each application is assessed for its own merit, independent of other applications. The second tier is programmatic review, a comparison-based process in which applications with high scientific and technical merit are further evaluated for programmatic relevance. Final recommendations for funding are subject to review and approval by a designated official. The highest-scoring applications from the first tier of review are not automatically recommended for funding. Funding recommendations depend on various factors as described in Section 6.2.3, Programmatic Review. Additional information about the two-tier process used by the CDMRP can be found on the CDMRP website. For this program announcement, reviewers at both tiers of review will be blinded to the identity of the PI, collaborator(s), and their organization(s).

Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program, the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by peer and programmatic review, and the requirements of the government. Funds to be obligated on any award resulting from this funding opportunity will be available for use for a limited time period based on the fiscal year of the funds.

6.4. Risk, Integrity and Performance Information

Prior to making an assistance agreement award where the federal share is expected…