science_technology_and_other_research_and_development · DOD-AMRAA
DoW Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Scholar Award
Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · HT942526NFRPNFRASA
Total Program Funding
$3.6M
Expected Awards
3
Deadline
September 22, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
The Department of Defense's Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) is funding 3 Scholar Awards ($1.2M each, $3.6M total) for early-career researchers joining the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy. This supports new independent investigators pursuing NF research (basic, translational, or clinical) under the mentorship of the Academy's Director. Think of it as a prestigious career development award specifically for NF researchers who are establishing their labs.
Who Should Apply
Early-career independent investigators (assistant professors or equivalent) at research institutions who want to focus their career on neurofibromatosis research. Must be willing to join the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy collaborative structure.
Who Should NOT Apply
Established researchers (use the IIRA instead), researchers not focused on NF, graduate students or postdocs (not yet independent), or anyone unwilling to work within the Academy structure.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be an early-career independent investigator
- •Must join the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy
- •Must address FY26 NFRP Areas of Emphasis
- •Must propose basic, translational, or clinical NF research
- •Unrestricted eligibility (any organization type)
- •No cost-sharing required
💡 GrantQuick Tip
This is one of the best career development awards for NF researchers — it gives you funding AND plugs you into a structured mentoring network. The key to winning: show you're transitioning to independence (recent faculty appointment or equivalent), have a compelling NF research question aligned with their emphasis areas, and explain specifically how the Academy structure will accelerate your work beyond what you could do alone. Having a letter from the Academy Director supporting your fit helps enormously.
Competitiveness: Moderate-high — 3 awards in a specialized field. Limited to early-career NF researchers, but the NF community is tight-knit and well-organized.
What This Grant Funds
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Neurofibromatosis Research Academy – Scholar Award (NFRA-SA) supports early-career independent investigators (Scholars) joining the Neurofibromatosis Research Academy to pursue a neurofibromatosis project that may include basic, translational, and/or clinical research. The proposed research should address at least one of the FY26 NFRP Areas of Emphasis, under the leadership of the NFRA Director and Deputy Director. The overarching goal of the NFRA is to conduct innovative and impactful research in the field of neurofibromatosis disorders while developing successful, highly productive NF researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.
Distinctive Features:
• Scholar: The Scholar, named as the Principal Investigator, must be less than 10 years of completion of their terminal degree by the time of the application deadline (excluding time spent in residency, clinical training, or on family medical leave).
• Career Guide: This award mechanism requires each Scholar to designate a Career Guide for guidance. The Career Guide is not required to be at the same institution as the Scholar; however, if the (primary) Career Guide is from a different institution, the application must identify a secondary Career Guide at the Scholar’s institution.
Attachments
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Total Program Funding
- $3.6M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 3
- 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