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

Program Announcement for the Defense Health Agency

Military Burn Research Program

Discovery Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526MBRPDA

Pre-Application Due: July 7, 2026

Application Due: October 21, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Military Burn Discovery 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 Discovery 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

FY26 Military Burn Discovery 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

FY26 Military Burn Discovery Award 4

1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Discovery Award supports innovative, untested, groundbreaking research that provides new insights and explores early concepts in combat-relevant burn care that provide the foundation for future translational and/or clinical research. The proposed project may be exploratory, hypothesis-driven, or hypothesis-generating research, but must be novel and must be based on a strong scientific rationale and a well-developed study design.

Distinctive Features: The focus of this award mechanism is innovation. Proposed research should lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation or product development in the area of combat-relevant burn care. The outcome of research supported by this award should be the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for groundbreaking future research projects.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $400,000 to fund approximately two Discovery Award applications with total cost caps of $200,000 per award. The maximum period of performance is 2 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this fiscal year 2026 (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 (Preproposal) Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), July 7, 2026

• Invitation to Submit an Application: August 26, 2026

• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, October 21, 2026

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, October 28, 2026

• Peer Review: January 2027

• Programmatic Review: March 2027

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526MBRPDA

Assistance Listing Number: 12.420

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FY26 Military Burn Discovery Award 5

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

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

There are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a PI.

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%20laborator https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=APPENDIX%201-,RECIPIENT%20QUALIFICATION%20AND%20RESTRICTION%20INFORMATION,-A.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0

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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 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP). 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 MBRP in 2011 to address the medical needs of traumatically burn-injured military Service Members. Appropriations for the MBRP from FY11 through FY25 totaled $130 million (M). The FY26 appropriation is $10M.

Burn injuries sustained by military Service Members while in the line of duty, whether in the military operational battlespace or in a military training environment, represent a continuous health burden on both the injured Service Member and the DOW health care systems in which they receive care. Historically, burn injuries afflicted between 5% to 20% of casualties during post-World War II conflicts.1 In more recent conflicts, burn injury affected 9% to 10% of combat casualties,2,3,4 and 20% of those burn injuries are characterized as severe.4 While thermal burns represent the most common mechanism of burn injury, other mechanisms such as frostbite, high-voltage electrical, chemical, directed energy and radiation/nuclear exposure represent additional formidable threats to the health and well-being of Service Members. Regardless of mechanism, combat-associated burn injuries are often devastating due, in part, to the high incidence of concomitant severe traumatic injuries. In addition, compared to burns sustained in a non-combat setting, combat burn injuries are more likely to progress to deep partial- or full-thickness burns, become infected, and lead to additional complications. The majority of combat burn injuries incurred during modern conflicts resulted from explosive device detonation, leading to a greater Injury Severity Score, an increase in inhalation injuries, and deeper, larger burns.3 Military planners anticipate that future conflicts will include more powerful weaponry than that seen in the past,5 likely resulting in a higher number of casualties with significant traumatic injuries and larger, more severe burns. Furthermore, compromised evacuation capabilities and interruptions to the medical supply chain could extend battlespace burn care from days to weeks, thereby increasing the risk of negative clinical outcomes. Accurate burn wound assessment and proper treatment of burn wounds and associated complications in a prolonged distributed operational care environment remain difficult. Burn researchers are challenged to innovate, develop, refine, and test novel burn therapies, technologies, and/or clinical guidelines that facilitate delivery of high-quality burn care in an austere, resource-limited, distributed operational environment for the improvement of both short-and long-term outcomes.

1David S. Kauvar et al, “Burn Hazards of the Deployed Environment in Wartime: Epidemiology of Noncombat Burns

From Ongoing United States Military Operations,” Journal of the American College of Surgeons 209, no. 4 (2009):

453-60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.06.367.

2Sandra M. Escolas et al, “Postdischarge Cause-of-Death Analysis of Combat-Related Burn Patients,” Journal of

Burn Care and Research: Official Publication of the American Burn Care Association 38, no. 1 (2015): e158-64, https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0000000000000319.

3David S. Kauver et al, “Comparison of Combat and Non-Combat Burns From Ongoing U.S. Military Operations,” The

Journal of Surgical Research 132, no. 2 (2006): 195-200, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2006.02.043.

4Kevin K. Chung et al., “Evolution of Burn Resuscitation in Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Journal of Burn Care &

Research 27, no. 5 (2006): 606-11, https://doi.org/10.1097/01.BCR.0000235466.57137.f2.

5“Global Trends 2040: The Future of the Battlefield,” Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National

Intelligence Council, last modified March 2021, https://www.dni.gov/index.php/gt2040-home/gt2040-deeper-looks/ future-of-the-battlefield.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.06.367 https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0000000000000319 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2006.02.043 https://doi.org/10.1097/01.BCR.0000235466.57137.f2 https://www.dni.gov/index.php/gt2040-home/gt2040-deeper-looks/future-of-the-battlefield https://www.dni.gov/index.php/gt2040-home/gt2040-deeper-looks/future-of-the-battlefield

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FY26 Military Burn Discovery Award 7

The MBRP seeks to fund research that enhances the ability of non-burn specialists to accurately assess burn severity, adequately treat burns, mitigate and/or treat burn-associated complications, and prevent progression of burn depth in an austere, resource-limited, combat environment. Enhancing the ability to provide high-quality burn care within a resource-limited, distributed operational battle space is expected to shorten the time to recovery and improve the long-term physical and psychological health and well-being of burn-injured Service Members, with the potential for benefit among Veterans, military beneficiaries and the American public.

Within this context, the MBRP is interested in research proposals that address specific gaps in the ability to care for combat burn casualties at or close to the point of injury, and in the early acute phase of care where evacuation delays are likely and medical resources are limited.

3.1. Award History

The MBRP first offered the Discovery Award mechanism in FY25. Since then, 42 Discovery Award applications have been received, and two were recommended for funding.

3.2. Intent of the Discovery Award

The FY26 MBRP Discovery Award is intended to support innovative, untested, non-incremental, groundbreaking research that provides new insights, paradigms, technologies, or applications in combat-relevant burn care. The proposed project may be exploratory, hypothesis-driven, or hypothesis-generating research, but must be novel and must be based on a strong scientific rationale and logical reasoning with a well-developed study design, methodology and data analysis plan. The MBRP expects studies supported by this award to lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation or product development for burn care delivered in an austere, resource-limited, distributed combat operational environment. The outcome of research supported by this award should be the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future research projects leading to improved combat-relevant burn care.

This award is not intended to support or validate ongoing research; therefore, inclusion of preliminary data is not required. The presentation of preliminary data beyond those offering initial insights and supporting new hypotheses suggests that the proposed research project would be more appropriately submitted to a different award mechanism. Applicants seeking funding for research to further an existing research project should consider either the FY26 MBRP Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (HT942526MBRPTTDA) or the Patient- Centered Research Award (HT942526MBRPPCRA).

3.2.1. Focus Areas for the Discovery Award

The proposed primary study must address at least one of the following focus areas. Projects must be specifically designed for utility and feasibility in austere environments (e.g., point of injury, prolonged field care, en route care) with limited resources and enhanced portability.

• Development and/or validation of methods to triage, treat and/or prevent complications of cold injury.

• Research to innovate best practices in the acute burn care continuum in a combat setting.

• Development and/or validation of methods for use in a combat setting to prevent, assess and/or treat burn injury-related complications, including:

○ Over/under fluid resuscitation

○ Endotheliopathy

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FY26 Military Burn Discovery Award 8

○ Sepsis

○ Inhalation injuries

○ Fungal infections

○ Hypermetabolism

• Interventions applied during the early, acute phase of burn injury that prevent or mitigate later development of chronic pain, neuropathy, pruritus and temperature dysregulation.

3.2.2. Key Elements for the Discovery Award

The following are important aspects of the FY26 MBRP Discovery Award:

• Innovation: The Discovery Award supports high-risk/high-reward research, and, as such, innovation is the most important review criterion. Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, introduce novel concepts or agents, or exhibit other highly creative qualities within a burn care context. Research that represents an incremental advancement on previously published work is not considered innovative.

• Impact: The Discovery Award is designed to lay the groundwork for critical discoveries or major advancements in the care of burn-injured combat casualties both short- and long-term. The application must clearly demonstrate the project’s potential to impact the care provided to burn casualties in an austere, resource-limited, distributed operational setting.

The research is expected to result in the development and eventual translation of scientific advances in combat-relevant burn care.

• Relevance to Military Health: Relevance to the care of burn-injured military Service Members in an austere, resource-limited setting is a key feature of this award.

3.2.3. Other Important Considerations for the Discovery Award

In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 732, 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; however, noninterventional clinical research studies are allowed.

A clinical trial is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 32, Part 219.102 (32 CFR 219.102) as a research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include a placebo or another control) to evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or behavioral health-related outcomes. An intervention includes both physical procedures by which information or biospecimens are gathered and manipulations of the subject or the subject's environment that are performed for research purposes.

Studies that do not seek to measure safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcome(s) of an intervention are not considered clinical trials.

Applicants seeking funding for clinical trials should consider applying to the FY26 MBRP Patient-Centered Research Award program announcement (HT942526MBRPPCRA).

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=or%20hardware%20procurement.-,Clinical%20Trial%3A,-As%20defined%20in https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-219/section-219.102 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-219/section-219.102

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For the purposes of this funding opportunity, research that meets the definition of a clinical trial is distinct from clinical research.

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.

PIs are encouraged, but not required, to collaborate with DOW research laboratories and/or military treatment facilities. A list of websites that may be useful in identifying additional information about ongoing DOW areas of research interest or potential opportunities for collaboration can be found in Appendix 10 of the GAI.

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 2 years.

Cost Cap: The application’s total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance should not exceed $200,000. 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.

The applicant may request the entire maximum funding amount for a project that may have a period of performance less than the maximum 2 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:

May be requested for (not all-inclusive):

• Costs for one investigator to travel to one scientific/technical meeting in Year 2. The intent of travel to scientific/technical meetings should be to present project information or disseminate project results from the FY26 MBRP Discovery Award.

Must not be requested for:

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

• Tuition.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=considered%20clinical%20trials.-,Clinical%20Research%3A,-For%20the%20purposes 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://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#DOW_AND_VA_WEBSITES:~:text=APPENDIX%2010.%0ADOW%20AND%20VA%20WEBSITES 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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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.

Upload documents as individual PDF files unless otherwise noted. Files must comply with the formatting guidelines listed in the GAI.

• Preproposal Narrative (two-page limit): The Preproposal Narrative page limit applies to text and non-text elements (e.g., figures, tables, graphs, photographs, diagrams, chemical structures, drawings) used to describe the project. Inclusion of URLs that provide additional information to expand the Preproposal Narrative and could confer an unfair competitive advantage is prohibited and may result in administrative withdrawal of the pre-application.

The Preproposal Narrative should include the following:

○ Innovation: State the ideas and reasoning on which the proposed work is based.

Concisely state how the proposed research provides new insights, paradigms, technologies, or applications in combat burn care. State how the research addresses a previously unexplored problem relevant to combat burn care. Describe how the proposed research addresses an unmet need in combat burn care.

○ Research Strategy: State the hypothesis to be tested and/or the objective(s) to be reached.

○ Focus Area: Describe how the proposed project addresses at least one of the FY26 MBRP Focus Areas.

○ Impact: The potential impact of the research, both short term and long term, in addressing one or more of the FY26 MBRP focus areas should be clearly described.

Describe how the research is expected to result in the development and eventual translation of scientific advances in combat-relevant burn care.

○ Military Relevance: Describe (1) how the project addresses military-relevant burn injury; (2) how the knowledge gained from the proposed research addresses a military need; and (3) how the proposed study is relevant to burn care provided in a combat setting.

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• Pre-Application Supporting Documentation: The items to be included as supporting documentation for the pre-application must be uploaded as individual files and are limited to the following:

○ References Cited (one-page limit): List the references cited (including URLs if available) in the Preproposal Narrative using a standard reference format that includes the full citation (i.e., author[s], year published, reference title, and reference source, including volume, chapter, page numbers, and publisher, as appropriate).

○ List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Symbols: Provide a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols used in the Preproposal Narrative.

○ Key Personnel Biographical Sketches: All biographical sketches should be uploaded as a single combined file. Biographical sketches should be used to demonstrate background and expertise through education, positions, publications, and previous work accomplished.

4.3. Full Application Components

Applicants must receive an invitation to submit a full application. Uninvited full application submissions will be rejected.

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

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

– Rationale: Clearly articulate the scientific rationale for the proposed research project. Cite relevant literature supporting your rationale. Explain how the project will lead to a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives and introduce novel concepts or agents in combat burn care.

Preliminary data are allowed but not required. The presentation of preliminary data beyond those offering initial insights and supporting new hypotheses suggests that the proposed research project may be more appropriately submitted to a different award mechanism.

– Hypothesis: State concisely the new insights, paradigms, technologies, or applications as related to one or more of the FY26 MBRP Focus Areas. State if the research is hypothesis-generating rather than hypothesis-driven. If the research is hypothesis-driven, state the hypothesis to be tested. If the research is hypothesis-generating, state the expected hypothesis to be generated if the project is successful.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=APPENDIX%202.%0AFORMATTING%20GUIDELINES 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#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Project%20Narrative%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CProjectNarrative https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Content_Form_Full_App_Submission:~:text=eBRAP%20User%20Name-,Biographical%20Sketch,-%3A%20This%20file

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FY26 Military Burn Discovery Award 12

– Specific Aims: Concisely explain the project’s specific aims and the objective(s) to be reached. The aims described in this section should agree with the primary aims and associated tasks described in the Statement of Work (SOW).

– Research Strategy and Feasibility: Describe the experimental design, methods, and analyses, including appropriate controls, in sufficient detail for scientific evaluation. Address potential problem areas and present alternative methods or approaches. If cell lines or animals are to be used, justify why the proposed cell line(s) or animal model(s) were chosen. Describe how the proposed project will be completed within the proposed performance period. Consult appropriate guidelines to ensure relevant aspects of rigorous and reproducible research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported.

▪ If animal studies are proposed, describe how they will be conducted in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments).

▪ 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/datasets. Describe the availability of the proposed study population and past successes in recruiting similar populations. If active-duty military, military Families and/or Veteran population(s) or dataset(s) will be used in the proposed research project, describe the feasibility of accessing the population(s)/dataset(s). This award may not be used to conduct clinical trials.

○ 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 equipment items are now accountable.

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. There is not a standardized form for this information.

Letters of Support (one-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, https://arriveguidelines.org/arrive-guidelines 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 Military Burn Discovery Award 13 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.

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.

Intellectual and Material Property Plan (if applicable): Provide a plan for resolving intellectual and material property issues among participating organizations.

Inclusion Enrollment Plan (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 biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, ethnicity or 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=Directive%20on%20Sharing%20Data%20and%20Research%20Resources 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 Military Burn Discovery Award 14 race (typically classified as exempt from Institutional Review Board [IRB] review) are exempt from this requirement.

Use of DOW Resources or VA Resources (if applicable): 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 3: Technical Abstract (one-page limit): Upload as “TechAbs.pdf”.

Abstracts of all funded research projects will be posted publicly. Write the technical abstract using the outline below. Clarity and completeness within the space limits are highly important.

Background: Present the ideas and rationale behind the proposed research, including how it addresses one or more FY26 MBRP Focus Areas.

Hypothesis/Objective(s): State the hypothesis to be tested and/or objective(s) to be reached.

Specific Aims: State the specific aims of the study.

Study Design: Describe the study design, including appropriate controls.

Innovation: Briefly describe how the proposed project is innovative and will lead to a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, introduce novel concepts or agents, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities within a burn care context.

Impact and Military Relevance: State briefly how the proposed project, if successful, will have an impact on the burn research field and/or the care of burn-injured combat casualties, and how the research will ultimately improve the lives of combat burn casualties. Clearly describe the project’s potential to impact the care provided to combat burn casualties in an austere, resource-limited, distributed operational setting. Note any substantial collaborations.

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

Abstracts of all funded research projects will be posted publicly. 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 objectives and rationale for the proposed study.

Clearly describe the critical problem or question to be addressed and the ultimate applicability and impact of the research. Consider the following:

▪ How will one or more of the FY26 MBRP Focus Areas be addressed?

▪ Describe how the results of the proposed project will ultimately benefit burn-injured Service Members, Veterans, and/or the general public.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Use_Of_DOW_Dept_Veterans_Affairs_Resource:~: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-,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 Military Burn Discovery Award 15

○ 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”. The Impact Statement should be written in a manner that will be readily understood by readers without a background in science or medicine.

Describe the FY26 MBRP Focus Area that is addressed in the proposed research.

Outline the potential short- or long-term impact of the proposed research on the care of burn-injured combat casualties and how the proposed research will impact the care provided to combat burn casualties in an austere, resource-limited, distributed operational setting.

Describe how the research has the potential to generate preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future advances in combat-relevant burn care.

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

○ Attachment 7: Relevance to Military Health Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “MilRel.pdf”.

Describe how the proposed study is responsive to the health care needs of combat burn-injured military Service Members.

If active-duty military, military Families, and/or Veteran population(s) or dataset(s) will be used in the proposed research project, describe the population(s)/dataset(s) and the appropriateness of the population(s)/dataset(s) for the proposed study. If a non-military population will be used for the proposed research project, explain how the population simulates the targeted population (i.e., military Service Members, Veterans and/or their Families).

○ Attachment 8: Animal Research Plan (three-page limit): Upload as “AnimalResPlan.pdf”. (Attachment 8 is only applicable and required for applications proposing animal studies.)

If the proposed study involves animals, a summary describing the animal research that will be conducted must be included in the application. Consult the ARRIVE guidelines

2.0 to ensure relevant aspects of rigorous animal research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported. The Animal Research Plan may not be an exact replica of the protocol(s) submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The Animal Research Plan should address the following points to achieve reproducible and rigorous results for each proposed animal study:

Briefly describe the research objective(s) of the animal study. Explain how and why the animal species, strain, and model(s) being used can address the scientific objectives and, where appropriate, the study’s relevance to human biology.

Summarize the procedures to be conducted. Describe how the study will be controlled.

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://arriveguidelines.org/arrive-guidelines https://arriveguidelines.org/arrive-guidelines 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 Military Burn Discovery Award 16

Describe the randomization and blinding procedures for the study, and any other measures to be taken to minimize the effects of subjective bias during animal treatment and assessment of results. If randomization and/or blinding will not be utilized, provide justification.

Provide a sample size estimate for each study arm and the method by which it was derived, including power analysis calculations.

Describe how data will be handled, including rules for stopping data collection, criteria for inclusion and exclusion of data, how outliers will be defined and handled, statistical methods for data analysis and identification of the primary endpoint(s).

○ Attachment 9: Representations (Grants.gov submissions only): Upload as “RequiredReps.pdf”. All extramural applicants must complete and submit the Required Representations document available on eBRAP.

○ Attachment 10: 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.

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%20laborator.

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…