DoW Peer Reviewed Medical, Discovery Award
About
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) Discovery Award supports novel, untested, high-risk, high-reward research projects with the potential to provide new insights, paradigms, technologies, or applications and with a potential to generate preliminary data that will lay the foundation for future projects. The application must address a critical problem or question in the field of research and/or patient care in a congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic area and one of the FY26 PRMRP portfolio-specific strategic goals. Distinctive Features: Applications must not include preliminary data. The focus of this award mechanism is innovation. Research proposed to this mechanism should be pioneering and revolutionary, and the outcomes generated by the award are expected to generate robust preliminary data that will lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation or product development. Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $11.165M to fund approximately 29 Discovery Award applications with total cost caps of $385,000 per award. The maximum period of performance is 2 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032. Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.
The DoW Peer Reviewed Medical Discovery Award is designed for researchers and medical institutions pursuing groundbreaking, high-risk, high-reward medical research projects with the potential to transform patient care and scientific understanding. This grant supports novel, untested research initiatives that address critical problems in medical research and patient care within congressionally directed topic areas. The Discovery Award mechanism specifically prioritizes innovation and pioneering research without preliminary data requirements, making it ideal for researchers proposing revolutionary approaches and methodologies. With approximately $11.165 million allocated across roughly 29 awards, this funding opportunity enables researchers to generate robust preliminary data that will establish the foundation for future scientific investigation and product development. The maximum award of $385,000 over a 2-year performance period provides substantial support for innovative medical research teams ready to take on ambitious scientific challenges. Researchers working within Department of War-supported medical research priorities should consider this award to advance their most innovative and transformative research ideas.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
July 30, 2026
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Up to $385,000 per award
Deadline
2026-07-30
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual (FY26 cycle with July 30, 2026 deadline)
Best For
Medical researchers, research institutions, and universities pursuing novel, high-risk, high-reward medical research projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for DoW Peer Reviewed Medical, Discovery Award?
Specific eligibility criteria for the FY26 funding cycle are not provided in the available information. Typically, CDMRP awards support research institutions, universities, and eligible organizations. For detailed eligibility requirements, application restrictions, and institutional qualifications, please visit the official Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) website or contact the program directly.
How much funding does DoW Peer Reviewed Medical, Discovery Award provide?
The FY26 Discovery Award provides up to $385,000 per award, with approximately $11.165 million allocated across approximately 29 awards. The maximum period of performance is 2 years. Awards are anticipated to be funded no later than September 30, 2027, with FY26 funds expiring for use on September 30, 2032.
How do I apply for DoW Peer Reviewed Medical, Discovery Award?
Applications for the FY26 cycle have a deadline of July 30, 2026. Applicants must propose novel, high-risk, high-reward research addressing a critical problem within a congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic area and align with FY26 PRMRP portfolio-specific strategic goals. Applications must not include preliminary data. For comprehensive application instructions, submission procedures, and required forms, visit the official CDMRP website.
What can DoW Peer Reviewed Medical, Discovery Award funding be used for?
This award supports novel, untested medical research projects with high potential to provide new insights, paradigms, technologies, or applications in medical research and patient care. The focus is on innovative, pioneering, and revolutionary research designed to generate preliminary data for future scientific investigation or product development. Research must address congressionally directed FY26 PRMRP topic areas and corresponding strategic goals.
Last updated: July 5, 2026