science_technology_and_other_research_and_development · DOD-AMRAA
DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award
Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · HT942526RCRPCA
Total Program Funding
$2.5M
Expected Awards
18
Deadline
September 30, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
DoD's Rare Cancers Research Program Concept Award funds 18 small seed grants ($2.52M total, ~$140K each) for highly innovative early-stage rare cancer research ideas. No preliminary data required. If you have a novel hypothesis about any rare cancer type (<6 per 100K incidence), this gives you money to test feasibility.
Who Should Apply
Researchers with innovative rare cancer ideas at the earliest conceptual stage. Any career stage, any institution. No preliminary data needed.
Who Should NOT Apply
Researchers studying common cancers, those with established rare cancer programs seeking large funding (use Idea Development), or anyone proposing clinical trials.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must focus on a rare cancer (<6 per 100K annual incidence)
- •No preliminary data required
- •18 awards totaling $2.52M (~$140K each)
- •Must be highly innovative/early-stage
- •Unrestricted eligibility
- •No cost-sharing required
💡 GrantQuick Tip
18 awards with no preliminary data requirement makes this one of the most accessible DoD cancer grants. At $140K, propose ONE specific experiment that tests your hypothesis. Researchers from adjacent fields (immunology, genetics, metabolism) with a creative angle on a rare cancer are ideal. Check the program's Areas of Emphasis document for priority cancer types.
Competitiveness: Low-moderate — 18 awards requiring no preliminary data. Excellent entry point for researchers new to rare cancer or DoD funding.
What This Grant Funds
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.
Attachments
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Total Program Funding
- $2.5M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 18
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Agency Contact
eBRAP Help Desk Phone: 301-682-5507 Email: help@eBRAP.org
help@eBRAP.orgReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov