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

Resource and Community Development Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526RCRPRCDA

Pre-Application Due: August 19, 2026

Application Due: November 18, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development 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 Resource and Community Development 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 Resource and Community Development 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 Resource and Community Development Award 4

1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Resource and Community Development Award (RCDA) supports the development of research resources and clinical or preclinical datasets that will advance the field of rare cancers research and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals with rare cancers. Research supporting this funding opportunity should fill one of the following major gaps:

• Lack of research and clinical resources, including patient tissues, cell and tumor models.

• Lack of communication and dissemination strategies within scientific and patient communities for sharing rare cancers research and clinical findings.

• Lack of infrastructure for sharing data and other resources.

• Lack of therapeutics and mechanistic research to inform treatment development.

Distinctive Features:

• Documentation of plans for engagement and partnerships with Patient Advocates throughout the life cycle of the research study from development of the research question through execution of the study.

• Community building and enhancement are key components.

• A description of the dissemination and sustainability of the platform for scientific and/or clinical and patient community is required.

• Preliminary data are not required but may be included to address feasibility.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $5.60M to fund approximately 5 Resource and Community Development Award applications with total cost caps of $1.12M per award. The maximum period of performance is 4 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), August 19, 2026

• Invitation to Submit an Application: September 30, 2026

• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, November 18, 2026

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, November 25, 2026

• Peer Review: February 2027

• Programmatic Review: March/April 2027

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526RCRPRCDA

Assistance Listing Number: 12.420

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development 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

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

An investigator may be named on only one FY26 RCRP RCDA 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 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) suggest that rare cancers are the most prevalent types or subtypes of cancers among the Veteran population.

3.1. Award History

The RCRP Resource and Community Development Award (RCDA) mechanism was first offered in FY20. Since then, 103 RCDA applications were received, and 23 were recommended for funding.

3.2. Intent of the Resource and Community Development Award

The FY26 RCRP RCDA supports the development of clinical or preclinical data sets and research resources that will advance the field of rare cancers research and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals with rare cancers. Applications to this mechanism should address one of the following major gaps in patient care for rare cancers:

• Lack of research and clinical resources, including patient tissues, cell and tumor models.

• Lack of communication and dissemination strategies within scientific and patient communities for sharing rare cancers research and clinical findings.

• Lack of infrastructure for sharing data and other resources.

• Lack of therapeutics and mechanistic research to inform treatment development.

The intent of this funding opportunity is to develop research platforms that can share resources and knowledge pertaining to available preclinical or clinical research models, molecular pathways and therapeutic approaches. It is expected that these platforms will facilitate

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 Resource and Community Development Award 7 collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders such as researchers, patients, caregivers, clinicians, and other members of the rare cancers community.

Clinical or preclinical datasets should integrate or develop the following research resources.

This list is not all-inclusive:

• Building and sharing rare tumor biospecimen repository with clinical annotation.

• Developing databases/banks for centralizing and sharing data for patient registries that are globally accessible.

• Centralizing and sharing research models and molecular data related to genomics/ transcriptomics/immune profiling/proteomics/metabolomics/methylomics/bioinformatics.

• Generating a data/reagent/model exchange program where researchers can list resources that they are willing to share and include tags with indications that may be relevant.

• Building a platform to enable or leverage longitudinal studies of disease natural history and treatment response.

• Developing novel methods and systems for collection, sharing and analysis of data or biospecimens.

The RCRP encourages the development of research platforms/resources capable of having an effect on multiple types or subtypes of rare cancers.

3.2.1. Focus Areas for the Resource and Community Development Award

To meet the intent of the funding opportunity, applications to the FY26 RCRP RCDA must address one or more of the following focus areas.

• Platform Development: Develop platforms (such as tumor tissue repositories with clinical annotation, centralized databanks, patient registries with common data structure, research models, “Omics” databases and longitudinal studies of natural history and treatment response) for type(s) or subtype(s) of rare cancers to allow sharing of data, biospecimens and resources.

• 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 RCDA

• Impact: Outcomes of the RCDA must have potential for major impact on an unmet need in rare cancers research. A resource, as developed in the proposed research, should aim for long-term anticipated advantages toward greatly improving outcomes for people with rare cancers.

• Patient Advocate Partnership: The RCRP requires applicants to include Patient Advocates who are involved with patient advocacy organization(s). The research team must include at least two rare cancers Patient Advocates who will be early and integral partners throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. The research team should involve Patient Advocates in the development of the research question, project design, oversight and evaluation, as well as other significant aspects of the proposed project. Interactions with other team members should be well integrated and ongoing and not limited to attending seminars and semi-annual meetings.

The Patient Advocates must be individuals who have been directly impacted by a rare cancer either by being diagnosed themselves or as a caretaker/family member of a patient, 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 Resource and Community Development Award 8 and they should be active in a cancer advocacy organization or within a support group focused on their rare cancer. The Patient Advocate’s role is to provide objective input on the research and its potential impact for individuals with or at risk for a rare cancer. The Patient Advocates should have a high level of understanding of current rare cancers research.

• Advantage Over Standard Available Resources: Applicants should explain the advantage of their approach to developing resources or community versus standard methodologies, techniques or scopes.

• Preliminary Data: Due to the nature of the RCDA, the RCRP does not require preliminary data, but the program will permit its inclusion if data is available to address the feasibility of the resource being developed. Whether or not preliminary data are included, applications must apply solid scientific rationale and logical reasoning based on existing knowledge to the development of the proposed product.

• Clinical Research: Research involving human subject use is permitted under this mechanism but is restricted to studies without clinical trials. Clinical trials will not be supported. Applications focused on clinical research should demonstrate how the study will leverage clinical information to address knowledge gaps in the development of platforms intended for sharing data and tissue, the development of clinical annotation datasets, process development, and/or infrastructure development.

• Applied Research: This funding opportunity supports preclinical studies utilizing or creating animal models to further research into rare cancers. The goal of the RCDA is to support projects that will have the potential to move beyond the realm of basic research, with results that may impact clinical research or patient outcomes.

• Community Building and Dissemination: The fully developed resource platform must be easily available to the scientific and/or clinical community. Dissemination of resource platform will play a major role by not only educating the rare cancer community about the recent progress but also help to develop an informational network.

• Sustainment: Sustainability of the resource in the future is an essential component of the RCDA. Plans for sustainability may include the feasibility of additional expansion.

3.2.3. Other Important Considerations for the RCDA

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, which is allowed.

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.

PIs are encouraged to integrate and/or align their research projects with DOW and/or VA research laboratories and programs. Collaboration with the DOW and/or VA is also encouraged. A list of websites that may be useful in identifying additional information about ongoing DOW and VA areas of research interest or potential opportunities for collaboration can be found in Appendix 10 of the GAI.

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%20For%20the 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

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 9

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 extending the lives of advanced state and recurrent patients. As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, the 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 4 years.

Cost Cap: The application’s total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance should not exceed $1.12M. If indirect cost rates have been negotiated, indirect costs are to be budgeted in accordance with the organization’s negotiated rate. Collaborating organizations should budget associated indirect costs in accordance with each organization’s negotiated rate.

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

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

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

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

May be requested for (not all-inclusive):

• Travel in support of multi-institutional collaborations.

• Costs for three investigators 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 RCDA.

Must not be requested for:

• Clinical trial costs.

• Tuition.

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

https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=Period%20of%20Performance%3A%20The%20time%20interval%20between%20the%20start%20of%20a%20federal%20award%20and%20the%20planned%20end%20date.

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 10

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:

○ Research: Describe the project’s hypothesis, objective, rationale and specific aims.

Describe the project design and how that will support the hypothesis and/or objectives of the project. Also describe how the outcome of the project may affect type(s) or subtype(s) of rare cancers. Preliminary data are not required.

○ Impact: Describe how the study will have a major impact on the outcomes of people with rare cancers and the understanding of rare cancers.

○ Personnel: Briefly describe the plan for integrating key personnel/collaborators and Patient Advocates into the planning, design and implementation of the community development process.

○ Justification: Explain how the study focuses on rare cancers research and how the cancer type(s) and/or subtype(s) in the proposed study fall(s) under the RCRP rare cancers definition.

• 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).

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#Appendix2:~:text=APPENDIX%202.%0AFORMATTING%20GUIDELINES 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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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 11

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

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

– Background: Clearly demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of critical barriers and gaps in rare cancers knowledge and communication that the project will address. Present the scientific rationale behind the proposed resource and community, including a critical review and analysis of the literature, relevant preliminary data (if applicable), and the logical reasoning that led to the development of the proposed study. Preliminary data are not required but may be included, if available, to address the feasibility of the clinical resource to be developed.

Preliminary data, if included, do not necessarily need to originate from studies of the proposed rare cancer type(s)/subtype(s) under investigation. Whether or not preliminary data are included, applications must apply solid scientific rational and logical reasoning based on existing knowledge to the development of the proposed product.

– Hypotheses/Objectives: State the hypotheses/study questions and overall objective(s) of the proposal.

– Specific Aims: Concisely explain the project’s specific aims. If this application is part of a larger study, present only tasks that this award would fund.

– Advantage: Applicants should explain the advantage of their approach to developing resources or community versus standard methodologies, techniques or scopes.

– Clinical Data/Preclinical and Resource Platform Description: Describe the patient-based/preclinical data and how outcomes will contribute to the development of a resource platform and provide a rationale that supports the need for this 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 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 12 resource. Describe how the resource platform will be capable of overcoming the obstacles in the care of patients with rare cancers.

– Community Description: Describe methods for building/enhancing the rare cancers stakeholder community and how the community’s involvement will contribute to developing the resource platform. Also justify how the community is essential for the development and sustainment of the resource platform.

– Project Design: Describe the design, methods, and analyses of the technical and organizational platforms in sufficient detail for evaluation. Address potential problem areas and pitfalls and present alternative methods and approaches. Articulate the type(s) or subtype(s) of rare cancers that will be the focus of the resource. Describe the methods for data collection and analysis in a manner that is consistent with the study objectives. Describe the process for producing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the community. Describe how the outcome of the study may affect type(s) or subtype(s) of rare cancers. Consult appropriate guidelines to ensure relevant aspects of rigorous and reproducible research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported.

– If utilizing human subjects or human biological samples, include a detailed plan for the recruitment of subjects or the acquisition of samples. Describe the strategy for the inclusion of women and minorities appropriate to the objectives of the study, including a description of the composition of the proposed study population in terms of sex, racial, and ethnic group, and an accompanying rationale for the selection of subjects.

Studies utilizing human biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, ethnicity, or race (typically classified as exempt from Institutional Review Board [IRB] review) are exempt from this requirement. Anticipated enrollment table(s) with the proposed enrollment distributed on the basis of sex, race, and ethnicity should be provided as part of the application’s Supporting Documentation (Attachment 2). This award cannot be used to conduct clinical trials.

– 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 General Application Instructions, Appendix 4, for additional considerations.

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

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

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

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

Facilities, Existing Equipment and Other Resources: Describe the facilities and equipment available for performance of the proposed project; include any additional 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-,Supporting%20Documentation%3A,-Combine%20and%20attach

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 13 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. There is not a standardized form for this information.

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

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

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

Commercialization Strategy (if applicable): Describe the commercialization plan.

The plan should include intellectual property, market size, financial analysis, strengths and weaknesses, barriers to the market, competitors, and management team. Discuss the significance of this development effort, when it can be anticipated, and the potential commercial use for the technology being developed.

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.

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

Provide an anticipated enrollment table(s) for the inclusion of women and minorities using the “Public Health Service (PHS) Inclusion Enrollment Report”, a three-page fillable PDF form that can be downloaded from eBRAP. The enrollment table(s) should be appropriate to the objectives of the study with the proposed enrollment distributed on the basis of sex, race, and ethnicity. Studies utilizing human biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, ethnicity, or race (typically classified as exempt from IRB review) are exempt from this requirement.

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 https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/CDMRP%20SABV%20Directive_Revised_MAR2025_signed.pdf https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/CDMRP%20SABV%20Directive_Revised_MAR2025_signed.pdf https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Statement%20of%20Work-,Public%20Health%20Service%20Inclusion%20Enrollment%20Report,-n/a

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 14 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 (NIH) Data Management and Sharing Plan or duplicate the Data Management Plan, which will be requested only after a recommendation for funding is made.

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

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

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

Background: Present the scientific rationale behind the proposed research project.

Hypothesis/Objective(s): State the hypothesis and/or planned objective(s) from the study.

Resource and Community Description: Describe plans for the development of the resource platform and community and provide a rationale that supports the need for this resource community. Describe how the resource platform will be capable of overcoming the obstacles in the care of patients with rare cancers.

Specific Aims: State the specific aims of the study.

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

Impact: Summarize the potential impact of the proposed resource platform toward the goal of greatly improving outcomes for people with rare cancers.

Military Relevance: Describe how the study is relevant to military health.

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

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

– Describe the scientific objective and rationale for the proposed project.

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

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 15

– Describe the ultimate applicability of the proposed resource and community to be developed.

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

▪ What high-impact opportunity or unmet need is addressed?

▪ What is the advantage of the proposed project over existing resources, methodologies or techniques?

– What are the likely contributions of this study to advancing rare cancers research?

– What role will the rare cancer stakeholder community play in the proposed study to develop the resource platform?

– What are the likely contributions of the proposed project to advancing research, patient care and/or quality of life?

○ 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 plain language for lay persons. Explain in detail why the proposed research project is important, addressing the following:

– State explicitly how the proposed work addresses the components of the FY26 RCRP’s Platform Development and/or AI/ML focus areas. Also describe how the outcome of the study may impact type(s) or subtype(s) of rare cancers.

– Describe how the proposed resource platform will address a high-impact opportunity or an unmet need in rare cancers research and/or help to realize improvements in outcomes for people with rare cancers. How the research could lead to improvements in the health, care and well-being of military Service Members, Veterans, and/or their Families.

– Describe the anticipated long-term gains from the proposed project, including the long-term anticipated advantages toward moving the rare cancers research field forward and/or improving patient outcomes.

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

○ Attachment 7: Dissemination Plan (one-page limit): Upload as “Dissemination.pdf”. A robust dissemination plan is required as part of the application.

Describe the type of data and/or research resource to be made available to the community as a result of the proposed work. This includes instances of utilizing and/or modifying pre-existing data or research resources. Specifically, describe a plan to make animal models, tissue samples, and other resources developed as a part of the proposed research projects available to the scientific community. If there are limitations associated with a pre-existing agreement for the original data or research resources that preclude subsequent sharing, the applicant should explain this in the data and/or Research Resources Sharing Plan.

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

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 16

Articulate the plans to ensure the data and/or research resource(s) is/are accessible after the period of performance expires. Provide a milestone plan for data dissemination.

○ Attachment 8: Sustainment Plan (two-page limit): Upload as “Sustainment.pdf”.

Outline potential resources and plans for long-term sustained operations and improvements:

– Describe processes, partnerships or agreements for obtaining support for maintenance and sustainment of the dissemination effort beyond the award period.

– Provide plans for sustainable operations, including continual accrual and curation of resources for the state-of-the-science understanding of rare cancers research.

○ Attachment 9: Justification Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Justification.pdf” (for programmatic review only).

– Describe how the cancer type(s) or subtype(s) are defined as rare under the definition of the RCRP (incidence rate of six or fewer persons per 100,000 per year), including citations on incidence rates, mortality and status of disease research.

○ Attachment 10: Patient Advocate Engagement Statement (no page limit): Combine into one document and upload as “Advocate.pdf”. Start each component on a new page.

The Patient Advocate Engagement attachment should include the two components listed below.

– Patient Advocate Involvement Statement: The PI should write the Patient Advocate Involvement Statement.

▪ Provide the names of at least two patient advocates participating on the research team and describe their active involvement in a rare cancer advocacy organization(s).

▪ Describe the integral roles that the patient advocates will play in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the research from the early stage of the project development.

▪ Describe how the collaborative endeavor is critical for the success of the project.

– Patient Advocate Support Letter(s): The Patient Advocates should write the Patient Advocate Support Letter(s). A joint letter written by the Patient Advocates or separate individual Patient Advocate letters are acceptable. The letter(s) should address the following:

▪ Clearly describe the plans for collaboration with the research team and the level of support from the Patient Advocates.

▪ Describe the Patient Advocates’ understanding of current rare cancer issues and include how personal experience will inform participation in the research project.

▪ Provide plans for integration with the PI or other team members that demonstrate ongoing involvement that is not limited to attending seminars or semi-annual meetings.

○ Attachment 11: Community Organizational Structure (two-page limit): Upload as “CommOrg.pdf”. Describe plans for communication, decision-making, allocation of resources, coordination of research progress and results and sharing of data among all

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FY26 Rare Cancers Resource and Community Development Award 17 key personnel and organizations participating in the community. Describe the roles, responsibilities and intellectual contribution of key stakeholders of the community.

Describe how the proposed collaboration involves a substantial contribution by different sites coordinating with each other. Describe the method for instituting SOPs and the handling of intellectual property.

○ Attachment 12: Regulatory Statement (two-page limit), if applicable (for application recruiting human subjects): Upload as “RegState.pdf”. Outline the processes that will govern legal, ethical and human subject issues and the use of human biospecimens in research.