HT942526RCRPCA_GG.pdf

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

Program Announcement for the Defense Health Agency

Rare Cancers Research Program

Concept Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526RCRPCA

Pre-Application Due: September 16, 2026

Application Due: September 30, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Rare Cancers 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

FY26 Rare Cancers Concept 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 Rare Cancers Concept Award 4

1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award (CA) supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. Applications must describe how the new idea will be innovative and present as a novel course of investigation in the field of rare cancers.

Distinctive Features:

• Preliminary data are not required.

• Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the Principal Investigator (PI), collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the proposal Project Narrative, Supporting Documentations, Impact Statement, Justification Statement, and Statement of Work [SOW]) is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $2.52M to fund approximately 18 Concept Award applications with total cost caps of $0.14M 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 (Letter of Intent) Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), September 16, 2026

• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, September 30, 2026

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, October 7, 2026

• Peer Review: December 2026

• Programmatic Review: March/April 2027

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526RCRPCA

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

Independent investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent) affiliated with an eligible organization are eligible to be named Principal Investigator (PI) on the application, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or citizenship status. The investigators do not have to be from academic organizations.

An investigator may be named on only one FY26 RCRP CA application as 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 General Application Instructions (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 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP). 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 RCRP in 2020 to provide support for research of exceptional scientific merit in the area of rare cancers. Appropriations for the RCRP from FY20 through FY25 totaled $95.0 million (M). The FY26 appropriation is $17.5M.

The vision of the RCRP is to improve outcomes for people with rare cancers through discovery and community building, and expansion of knowledge across cancer landscape. To achieve this vision, the program promotes rare cancers research by catalyzing knowledge building and enabling clinically impactful discoveries. Through these efforts, the RCRP seeks to benefit patients, Service Members, their Families, Veterans and the American public.

FY26 RCRP definition of rare cancers: Cancers affecting six or fewer persons per 100,000 per year in the United States. Applicants will be required to provide a justification statement explaining the relevance of the investigated cancer types/subtypes that fall under the RCRP’s definition of rare cancers.

The proposed research must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries and the American public. Data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suggests that rare cancers are the most prevalent types or subtypes of cancers among the Veteran population.

3.1. Award History

The RCRP Concept Award (CA) mechanism was first offered in FY20. Since then, 979 CA applications were received, and 90 were recommended for funding.

3.2. Intent of the Concept Award

The FY26 RCRP CA supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. The CA is not intended to support an incremental progression of an already established research project. Instead, this award mechanism allows PIs the opportunity to pursue serendipitous observations. Presentation of preliminary data is not consistent with the intent of this funding opportunity. This award mechanism supports high-risk studies that have the potential to reveal entirely new avenues for investigation. Applications must describe how the new idea will enhance the existing knowledge of rare cancers or develop an innovative and novel course of investigation. Research completed through a CA may generate sufficient preliminary data to enable the PI to prepare an application for future research.

3.2.1. Focus Areas for the Concept Award

To meet the intent of the funding opportunity, applications for the FY26 RCRP CA must address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Biology: Identify disease-defining molecular pathways, cell context, and microenvironment.

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• Preclinical Research Model: Develop and validate rare tumor-specific models that can support clinical trial readiness.

• Therapy: Identify novel therapeutic strategies, including drug repurposing.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Model: Establish use of AI and/or ML tools in discovery, preclinical studies, and clinical trial readiness.

3.2.2. Key Elements for the Concept Award

Preliminary data are not required.

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

3.2.3. 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.

For the purposes of this funding opportunity, research that meets the definition of a clinical trial is distinct from clinical research. Clinical research encompasses research with human data, human specimens, and/or interaction with human subjects.

Excluded from the definition of clinical research are in vitro studies that utilize human data or specimens that cannot be linked to a living individual and meet the requirements for exemption under §46.104(d)(4) of the Common Rule.

The FY26 RCRP CA is designed for preliminary investigations. Research involving human subjects or specimens must be either exempt under 32 CFR 219.104(d) or eligible for expedited review (21 CFR 56.110). Exemption or expedited status is first determined by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record. Investigators must review their institutional requirements and guidelines for filing with the IRB for exempt or expedited status. Studies that do not qualify for exempt or expedited status will be administratively withdrawn.

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 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 RCRP: A congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=or%20hardware%20procurement.-,Clinical%20Trial%3A,-As%20defined%20in https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=considered%20clinical%20trials.-,Clinical%20Research%3A,-For%20the%20purposes https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46/subpart-A/section-46.104 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-219#219.104 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-56/subpart-C/section-56.110 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

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FY26 Rare Cancers Concept Award 8 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 RCRP 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 2 years.

Cost Cap: The application’s total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance should not exceed $140,000. 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):

• 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 RCRP CA.

Must not be requested for:

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

• Clinical trial costs.

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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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 RCRP CA focus area(s) to be addressed.

LOIs are used for program planning purposes only (e.g., reviewer recruitment) and will not be reviewed during either the peer or programmatic review. An invitation to submit a full application is NOT provided after LOI 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.

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, Supporting Documentation, Impact Statement, Justification Statement and Statement of Work (SOW) 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 and preclude invitation to submit a full 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.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm 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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(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 (two-page limit): Upload as “ProjectNarrative.pdf”.

The page limit of the Project Narrative 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 (uniform resource locators) that provide additional information that expands the Project Narrative and could confer an unfair competitive advantage is prohibited and may result in administrative withdrawal of the application. Consult appropriate guidelines to ensure relevant aspects of rigorous and reproducible research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported.

Preliminary data are not required.

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

– Innovation: Describe how the proposed research is innovative and may introduce a new paradigm, challenges existing paradigms, looks at existing problems from new perspectives or exhibit other highly creative qualities.

– 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 how the study is designed to achieve reproducible and rigorous results, including the choice of model and measurable endpoints/outcomes.

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

Due to the blinded nature of the review process, identifying or making references to the PI, collaborator(s), or their organization(s) in the Project Narrative is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

○ Attachment 2: Supporting Documentation: Combine and upload as a single file named “Support.pdf”. Start each document on a new page. The Supporting Documentation attachment should not include additional information such as figures, tables, graphs, photographs, diagrams, chemical structures, or drawings. These items should be included in the Project Narrative.

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.

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

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

○ 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 the 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”. State how the project will have a major impact on at least one of the FY26 RCRP Focus Area(s). Describe how the proposed research will make an original and important contribution toward advancing basic, translational, or clinical rare cancers research or on improving outcomes for people with rare cancers. Describe how the high-risk proposed research project is novel in the field of rare cancers. Proposed research may apply or adapt existing methods or technologies for novel rare cancers research or clinical purposes that differ fundamentally from those originally intended. Provide a brief statement describing the short- and/or long-term impact(s) of this research on the field of rare cancers.

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

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 Impact Statement is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application.

○ Attachment 5: Justification Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Justification.pdf” (for programmatic review only). Describe how the cancer or cancer subtype is defined as rare under the definition of the RCRP (incidence rate six or fewer persons per 100,000 per year), including citations on incidence rates, mortality, and status of disease research.

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=Suggested%20SOW%20Format https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Statement%20of%20Work%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CSOW

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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 Justification Statement is prohibited and will result in administrative rejection of the application

○ 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

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5. Submission Requirements

5.1. Location of Application Package

Download the application package components for HT942526RCRPCA 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 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 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

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FY26 Rare Cancers Concept Award 14 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.

When starting the pre-application, PIs should ensure that they have selected the appropriate “Cancer Type” category. After selecting one of the offered Cancer Types, a textbox will appear where the applicant should enter a specific name for the cancer that will be studied (60-character limit). PIs should also select “age groups”.

Refer to the GAI for considerations and detailed instructions regarding pre-application submission.

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#_PreApp_Submission 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

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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 RCRP 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 RCRP 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 degree the research introduces innovative new paradigms, novel challenges to existing paradigms, interrogates existing problems from new perspectives or exhibits other highly creative qualities.

• Research Strategy and Feasibility

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

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

https://cdmrp.health.mil/funding/researchDup https://cdmrp.health.mil/funding/researchDup https://cdmrp.health.mil/rcrp/panels/FY26%20RCRP%20Programmatic%20Panel.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

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○ 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 researchers design studies to achieve reproducible and rigorous results, including the choice of model and measurable endpoints/outcomes.

○ 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.

• Impact

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

○ How the high-risk proposed research project is novel in the field of rare cancers.

○ 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 rare cancers research or on improving outcomes for people with rare cancers.

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

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

• 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 RCRP, as evidenced by the following:

○ Adherence to the intent of the funding opportunity

○ Program portfolio composition

○ Relative impact in the field of rare cancers

○ Relevance of the study to the FY26 RCRP definition of rare cancers

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

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

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

FY26 Rare Cancers Concept Award 17 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 to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2, Part

200.1 (2 CFR 200.1), over the period of performance, the federal awarding agency is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is available in the SAM.

An applicant organization may review the SAM and submit comments on any information currently available about the organization that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

The federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics and record of performance under federal awards when determining a recipient’s qualification prior to award, according to the qualification standards of the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs), Section 22.415.

In accordance with National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 and all associated laws, all fundamental research funded by the DOW must be evaluated for affiliations with foreign entities.

All applicant organizations must disclose foreign affiliations of all key personnel named on applications. Failure to disclose foreign affiliations of key personnel shall lead to withdrawal of recommendations to fund applications. Applicant organizations may be presented with an opportunity to mitigate identified risks, particularly those pertaining to influence from foreign entities specified in law. Implementation of mitigation discussions and utilization of the DOD Component Decision Matrix must decrease risk of foreign influence in accordance with the above-mentioned laws and guidance prior to award.

https://cdmrp.health.mil/about/2tierRevProcess https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Academic-Research-Security/#:~:text=DOD%20COMPONENT%20DECISION%20MATRIX%20TO%20INFORM%20FUNDAMENTAL%20RESEARCH%20PROPOSAL%20MITIGATION%20DECISIONS https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Academic-Research-Security/#:~:text=DOD%20COMPONENT%20DECISION%20MATRIX%20TO%20INFORM%20FUNDAMENTAL%20RESEARCH%20PROPOSAL%20MITIGATION%20DECISIONS

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

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7. Federal Award Notices

For each compliant full application received, the organizational representative(s) and PI will receive email notification when the funding recommendations are posted to eBRAP, typically within 6 weeks after programmatic review. At this time, each PI will receive a peer review summary statement on the strengths and weaknesses of the application and an information paper describing the application receipt and review process for the RCRP award mechanisms.

The information papers and a list of organizations and PIs recommended for funding are also posted on the program’s page within the CDMRP website.