DoW Melanoma Research Program Team Science Award | HT942526MRPTSA

FY26 DoD Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award (HT942526MRPTSA) FAQs

1) What is the FY26 DoD Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award?

The FY26 Department of Defense Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award is a discretionary grant opportunity intended to support hypothesis-driven melanoma research performed by a multi-PI team. It is designed for integrated projects that bring together multiple disciplines to tackle complex melanoma problems in a way that is directly relevant to patient outcomes.

2) What kinds of research does this award aim to fund?

The award targets hypothesis-driven melanoma research that can move the field forward in the near term. This can include work that advances scientific understanding of melanoma and/or improves aspects of patient care, with an emphasis on relevance to patient outcomes.

3) What does "team science" mean in the context of this award?

For this mechanism, "team science" means combining different disciplines and perspectives (for example, technical skill sets along with clinical and translational viewpoints and therapeutic-area expertise) into one integrated, coordinated project. A central expectation is that the combined team approach will be stronger and more actionable than what a single lab or discipline could accomplish alone.

4) Is a multi-PI team required?

Yes. A defining feature of this award is its required team structure. Proposals must be led by multiple Principal Investigators (PIs).

5) How many Principal Investigators (PIs) can be on a proposal?

The proposal must include at least two PIs and no more than three PIs, jointly designing and executing one integrated research project.

6) Are collaborations across multiple institutions allowed or encouraged?

Multi-institutional collaborations are explicitly encouraged. The program signals interest in teams that span complementary capabilities across organizations.

7) What disciplines or capabilities can be included on the team?

The opportunity highlights that teams may span complementary capabilities such as basic biology, computational analysis, clinical investigation, immuno-oncology, diagnostics, prevention, or other relevant areas that strengthen the integrated melanoma research approach.

8) What is meant by "clear relevance to patient outcomes"?

The program emphasizes research that connects to patient impact, either through near-term advancement in melanoma understanding that can inform practice or through improvements to patient care pathways. The intent is that funded work remains meaningfully tied to outcomes that matter for people affected by melanoma.

9) Does the opportunity include consumer (patient/advocate) collaboration?

Yes, there is an optional consumer collaboration component. Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to partner with members of the melanoma consumer community such as patients, survivors, caregivers, or advocates.

10) Is consumer collaboration required for eligibility?

No. Consumer collaboration is described as optional, not mandatory.

11) Why does the program encourage consumer collaboration?

The stated intent is to help keep research grounded in real-world needs and to increase the likelihood that resulting insights are translatable and impactful for the communities most affected by melanoma. It signals that patient-centered thinking and practical pathways to benefit are valued, even for hypothesis-driven work.

12) What is the application process structure?

The application process is two-step: (1) a required pre-application, and (2) a full application that is only allowed if the team receives an invitation based on the pre-application.

13) Who submits the pre-application?

The required pre-application must be submitted by the Initiating PI on behalf of the team.

14) Can a team submit a full application without an invitation?

No. Only teams that receive an invitation based on the pre-application may submit a full application.

15) At the full-application stage, do all PIs have to submit materials?

Yes. At the full-application stage, all PIs must submit application materials. However, the Partnering PI or PIs submit an abbreviated application package focused on their specific contribution rather than duplicating the entire submission.

16) What is the difference between the Initiating PI and Partnering PI(s)?

Based on the described process, the Initiating PI coordinates and submits the team pre-application and serves as the central organizer for the team submission. The Partnering PI(s) provide defined, substantive contributions to the integrated project and submit abbreviated materials at the full-application stage focused on their part of the work.

17) If funded, how are awards issued for a multi-PI team?

If a project is selected for funding, each PI is listed on a separate award issued to their respective organization. This matters for institutional planning related to budgets, compliance, and award management across collaborating partners.

18) What is the funding opportunity number or identifier?

The funding opportunity is listed as HT942526MRPTSA.

19) What agency and administrative office run this opportunity?

The opportunity is run through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA).

20) What is the CFDA number and category listed for this program?

The CFDA listing provided is 12.420, and it is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This suggests a wide range of applicant organizations may apply, provided they meet standard federal grant requirements.

22) What is the application deadline?

The original closing date provided is October 14, 2026.

23) How many awards does the program expect to make?

The program anticipates making approximately nine awards.

24) Is there an award ceiling or maximum budget listed?

The public listing information provided does not specify an award ceiling. Applicants are typically expected to consult the full announcement for budget limits and related fiscal guidance.

25) Does the provided information specify performance period length, topic areas, or deliverables?

No. The provided details do not include performance period expectations, specific topic areas, review criteria, or required deliverables. Applicants are typically expected to consult the full announcement for those requirements.