Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Idea Award supports innovative, exploratory, high-risk/potentially high-reward research. Novelty and innovation are expected to be key aspects of the proposed project. By the end of the Idea Award funding period, the anticipated outcomes of successful efforts should establish proof of principle and obtain preliminary data to secure follow-on funding.

Distinctive Features:

·        Preliminary data are discouraged.

·        After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs expects to allot roughly $5.6M to fund approximately 10 Idea Award applications with total cost caps of $0.56M 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.

https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/mrppreann

Miscellaneous

• Unrestricted