Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award Rare Melanomas

The Department of Defense Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Department of the Army through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The opportunity is designed to support multidisciplinary and collaborative research efforts focused specifically on rare melanomas. The program seeks projects that address overarching scientific or clinical questions relevant to rare melanoma subtypes through coordinated research initiatives that combine multiple complementary projects under a unified research strategy. The award mechanism is intended to accelerate progress in melanoma research areas that may otherwise receive limited attention due to the lower prevalence of rare melanoma conditions. This funding opportunity supports a partnering research structure that requires collaboration among investigators. Applications must include one Initiating Principal Investigator and at least one, but no more than two, Partnering Principal Investigators. Each principal investigator is expected to lead a distinct but complementary research project that contributes to the overall objectives of the proposed program. If selected for funding, each principal investigator will receive a separate award tied to their institution or recipient organization. The solicitation specifically emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and coordinated research management across participating organizations. Clinical trials are permitted under this opportunity, expanding the scope of potential research approaches to include translational and patient-focused studies. A distinctive requirement introduced for fiscal year 2026 is the mandatory inclusion of at least one rare melanoma survivor or patient advocate as a member of the research team. The patient advocate is expected to provide ongoing consultation and guidance during project planning, implementation, and dissemination of results to help maximize the practical and patient-centered impact of the research. This requirement reflects the program’s emphasis on stakeholder engagement and translational relevance. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how the advocate will meaningfully contribute throughout the project lifecycle rather than serving in a symbolic capacity. Funding for the program is estimated at approximately $5.6 million total, with the expectation that roughly two awards will be made. Each award may request up to $2.8 million in total costs. The maximum period of performance is four years. The program announcement indicates that awards are expected to be funded using fiscal year 2026 appropriations, which remain available for use through September 30, 2032. Awards are anticipated to be issued no later than September 30, 2027, and funded projects are expected to begin on or around that same date. The announcement does not identify a formal cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute institutional matching funds as part of their proposal budgets. The application process includes a mandatory pre-application stage. Only the Initiating Principal Investigator is permitted to submit the pre-application. Following review of the pre-application, selected applicants will receive an invitation to submit a full application package. All principal investigators involved in the proposed research program must then submit full applications if invited. The Partnering Principal Investigators submit abbreviated application packages focused specifically on their individual research projects within the broader collaborative framework. The opportunity forecast indicates that the estimated application due date for full submissions is October 14, 2026, while the estimated posting date for the official solicitation is June 1, 2026. Because the opportunity is currently forecasted, additional submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and application components are expected to be released in the final announcement. Eligibility for the opportunity is listed as unrestricted, meaning applicants from a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any additional clarifications that may appear in the final solicitation. The funding announcement is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development activities and is associated with Assistance Listing 12.420 for Military Medical Research and Development. The opportunity is available through both grant and cooperative agreement funding instruments. The solicitation does not specify geographic limitations, indicating nationwide eligibility across the United States. Investigators are expected to develop scientifically rigorous and collaborative proposals that directly address unmet needs in rare melanoma research and demonstrate strong integration among the participating research projects. Program support and technical assistance are available through the eBRAP Help Desk. Applicants may contact the help desk by phone at 301-682-5507 or by email at help@eBRAP.org for assistance related to application preparation, submission procedures, or system-related questions. The current opportunity is identified as a forecasted opportunity on Grants.gov, with updates and additional details expected upon formal release of the complete funding announcement. Based on the fiscal year structure and the Department of Defense research funding cycle, the program appears to operate on an annual recurring basis tied to congressional appropriations and annual research program announcements.

Emphasize strong integration among complementary research projects; demonstrate meaningful involvement of the patient advocate throughout planning and dissemination; ensure each PI leads a clearly distinct but complementary project within the overall research strategy.