DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research, Impact Award | W81XWH 20 PRCRP IPA

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 20 PRCRP IPA

The Department of Defense (DoD) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Impact Award (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH-20-PRCRP-IPA) is a competitive grant and cooperative agreement opportunity administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) to fund mature, advanced-stage cancer research projects that are positioned to make a major, near-term difference in patient outcomes. The program is geared toward studies that directly tackle critical scientific or clinical problems in cancer and, if successful, would meaningfully move the needle within at least one of the FY20 PRCRP Topic Areas. A central theme of the opportunity is speeding promising work toward real-world clinical use by emphasizing continuity of research, clinical applicability, and strong use of clinical samples, patient-derived data, and clinical trial pathways when appropriate.

A defining feature of the Impact Award is its focus on significant, near-term impact rather than incremental progress. Applicants are expected to clearly explain how their proposed work will transform the field and improve outcomes for patients within a relatively short time horizon. The DoD is looking for projects that make a substantial shift toward clinical applicability, which means proposals can be translational or clinical in nature and may include clinical trials. At the same time, the solicitation draws a firm boundary around what it will not support: this mechanism is not intended for basic research. Projects that are earlier-stage, more exploratory, or whose payoff is expected primarily in the longer term are directed instead to the PRCRP Idea Award mechanism.

Because the award is meant to push already-promising lines of investigation forward, preliminary data are required. Applications must include feasibility-supporting evidence, and any unpublished preliminary results should come from the Principal Investigator (PI) or members of the research team. This requirement reinforces the program goal of funding efforts that are ready to “leapfrog” the field by building on credible prior findings rather than starting from scratch. In practical terms, reviewers will be looking for a strong through-line between prior work and the proposed next steps, including a clear plan to translate results toward prevention strategies, treatments, or clinically actionable approaches.

Continuity of research is another key evaluation factor. The Impact Award is designed for established projects that have moved beyond the basic research stage and are now positioned to generate near-term clinical impact, either through direct clinical research, late-stage translational work, or well-justified steps that bridge into clinical testing and implementation. The solicitation also highlights the value of leveraging clinical samples and trials, signaling that proposals grounded in human data, clinically relevant models, and well-integrated clinical collaborations may be particularly competitive when they help accelerate translation and broaden real-world relevance.

Military relevance is mandatory. Proposed research must address at least one FY20 PRCRP Military Health Focus Area and must be relevant to active duty Service members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the broader American public. This requirement reflects the PRCRP mission to invest in cancer research areas that matter to the military community, including cancers that may be under-funded, under-studied, or especially lethal while still being significant to public health overall. Applicants are expected to make a clear case for why the work matters in a military health context, not simply in general oncology terms.

The opportunity also points applicants to broader DoD cancer priorities, including recommendations from the Congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force, which was created to accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending survival for patients with advanced or recurrent disease. Applicants are encouraged to consider those recommendations when shaping projects, as long as the proposed work fits within the Impact Award scope and aligns with FY20 PRCRP priorities.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted March 23, 2020, with an original closing date of August 27, 2020. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement). The catalog listing is CFDA 12.420, the activity category is research and development in science and technology, and the DoD anticipated making about 11 awards. The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the provided data, which typically signals that applicants need to rely on the detailed announcement for budget limits and expectations rather than assuming a fixed maximum from the summary field.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research, Impact Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 23, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W81XWH 20 PRCRP IPA

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