DoW Bone Marrow Failure, Investigator-Initiated Research Award

The Department of the Army Medical Command is seeking applications for the Bone Marrow Failure Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award, with a full application deadline of November 4, 2026, and anticipates funding approximately one award with a total cost cap of $1.25 million across a maximum three-year performance period.

Eligible applicants include independent investigators at all career levels affiliated with eligible U.S. Department of War organizations, both extramural and intramural, regardless of citizenship status. This award mechanism permits a partnering Principal Investigator option, though only the initiating PI submits a pre-application; both PIs must submit full applications, with the partnering PI application comprising an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of research. All associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

No cost share is required. The cost cap of $1.25 million applies to single PI applications or the combined total for partnering PI applications. Direct costs may be requested for multi-institutional collaboration travel and two investigators' travel to one scientific or technical meeting per year.

The program funds translational and clinical research, including studies in preclinical models, research with human data and anatomical substances, research with human subjects, and correlative studies associated with clinical trials; however, this award mechanism does not support clinical trials. Applications may also support Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling efforts such as lead compound characterization and assessments of formulation, stability, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, dose/response, and toxicology. Applications must address at least one of two FY26 focus areas: finding effective bone marrow failure treatments and cures, or understanding the causes and progression of bone marrow failure diseases. All applications must include preliminary and/or published data relevant to the proposed project.

The program uses a two-tier review process consisting of peer review and programmatic review. Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2027, using FY26 funds expiring September 30, 2032. The pre-application deadline is August 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov (extramural organizations) or eBRAP (intramural Department of War organizations). The CFDA number is 12.420 under the Military Medical Research and Development program.