Funder: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA
Due Dates: September 10, 2025 (Pre-Application/LOI) | October 1, 2025 (Full Application) | October 7, 2025 (End of Application Verification)
Funding Amounts: Total program funding: ~$2.1M; combined direct cost cap: $1.3M; up to 4 years; one award (split between Director and Deputy Director)
Summary: Supports a Director and Deputy Director to lead the Melanoma Academy, fostering a collaborative, virtual environment for melanoma research and career development.
Key Information: Requires two PIs (Director and Deputy Director) at different institutions; only the Director submits the pre-application; no clinical trials allowed.
Description
This opportunity seeks applications for a Director and Deputy Director to lead the Department of Defense Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Melanoma Academy. The Academy is a unique, interactive virtual platform designed to bring together established and early-career melanoma researchers (Scholars) to advance the field through collaboration, mentoring, and career development. The leadership team will set the vision, facilitate cross-disciplinary research, and support the professional growth of Scholars, with a strong emphasis on prevention, rare melanomas, and survivorship.
Distinctive features include:
- A partnering mechanism: two Principal Investigators (PIs)—the Initiating PI (Director) and the Partnering PI (Deputy Director)—from different institutions.
- A focus on building a national network of melanoma researchers and supporting early-career investigators.
- Integration of a Melanoma Consumer Consultant Panel (including at least one Service Member or Veteran) and an Advisory Board.
The Academy’s activities include annual and biennial workshops, professional development, and fostering collaborations across institutions and disciplines.
Due Dates
- Pre-Application (Letter of Intent) Deadline: September 10, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET
- Full Application Deadline: October 1, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET
- End of Application Verification Period: October 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET
Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin registrations and application preparation early, as multiple registrations (SAM.gov, eBRAP.org, Grants.gov) are required.
Funding Amount
- Total Program Funding: Approximately $2,100,000
- Combined Direct Cost Cap: $1,300,000 (for both PIs over the project period)
- Period of Performance: Up to 4 years
- Number of Awards: 1 (split into two separate awards for Director and Deputy Director)
- Indirect Costs: Allowed per organization’s negotiated rate
- Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement
Direct costs must include support for annual and biennial workshops, virtual academy infrastructure, and travel for leadership. No funds may be used for clinical trials, graduate student tuition, or travel for Scholars/Career Guides (covered by separate awards).
Eligibility
Eligible Organizations
- Extramural and intramural organizations, including:
- Academic institutions (domestic and foreign)
- For-profit and non-profit organizations
- Public and private entities
- Federal government organizations (excluding DOD for extramural)
- DOD laboratories and medical facilities
Eligible Individuals (PIs)
- Both Director and Deputy Director must:
- Be independent, established melanoma researchers (associate professor or equivalent and above)
- Have a record of melanoma research funding (past and present)
- Have peer-reviewed melanoma publications
- Not be named as a Career Guide on any FY25 Melanoma Academy Scholar Award applications
- Be at different institutions
No restrictions on ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship.
Application Process
Step 1: Pre-Application (Letter of Intent)
- Only the Initiating PI (Director) submits the pre-application via eBRAP.
- Must include a brief description of the proposed Academy and name the Partnering PI and Melanoma Consumer Consultants.
Step 2: Full Application
- Both PIs submit separate full applications (the Partnering PI submits an abbreviated package).
- Extramural organizations submit via Grants.gov; intramural DOD organizations use eBRAP.
- Required components include:
- Project Narrative (20 pages)
- Supporting documentation (biosketches, letters of support, data sharing plan, etc.)
- Technical and lay abstracts
- Statement of Work (joint, 3 pages)
- Melanoma Consumer Consultation Plan
- Impact statement
- Budget and justification (separate for each PI)
- Other standard federal forms
Note: Both PIs must submit their full applications by the deadline. Failure to do so will result in administrative withdrawal.
Additional Information
- Focus Areas: Prevention and interception, rare melanomas, and survivorship.
- Military Health Relevance: Projects should address the needs of Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
- No Clinical Trials: Clinical research is allowed, but interventional clinical trials are not.
- Workshops: Annual one-day and biennial multi-day workshops are required.
- Consumer Engagement: Must include a Melanoma Consumer Consultant Panel (at least two consultants, one of whom is a Service Member or Veteran).
- Reporting: Annual and final technical progress reports required; additional reporting may be specified in award terms.
- Changes in PI: Not allowed except under extenuating circumstances.
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact | Email | Phone | Purpose/Notes |
|---|
| CDMRP Help Desk | help@eBRAP.org | (301) 682-5507 | Application requirements, eBRAP technical support |
| Grants.gov Support | support@grants.gov | 1-800-518-4726 | Grants.gov registration and submission questions |
For detailed questions, refer to the program announcement or contact the CDMRP Help Desk.