DoW Kidney Cancer, Idea Development Award
This grant funds research teams developing innovative, hypothesis-driven projects to advance kidney cancer understanding and improve patient outcomes, with an option for collaborative investigator partnerships.
Funder: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
Due Dates: September 14, 2026: Pre-Application (Letter of Intent) | September 28, 2026: Full Application
Funding Amounts: ~$7.8M total; up to $900,000 (3 yrs, single PI) or $1.2M (3 yrs, Partnering PI option) per award; ~8 awards expected
Summary: Supports high-impact research to advance understanding of kidney cancer and improve patient outcomes, with options for single or collaborative (Partnering PI) applications.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; preliminary data required; applications must address at least one FY26 KCRP focus area.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), supports the development of innovative, high-impact research projects in kidney cancer. The award aims to advance understanding of kidney cancer biology, develop new interventions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Projects must be hypothesis-driven, supported by strong scientific rationale, and demonstrate a well-articulated research approach.
Distinctive features include a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option, allowing two investigators to collaborate on a single project, each receiving a separate award. Applications must address at least one of the FY26 Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) focus areas, such as basic biology, novel therapeutic strategies, quality of life, or disparities in kidney cancer outcomes.
Clinical trials are not permitted under this mechanism. Both preliminary data and a clear plan for rigorous, reproducible research are required.
