Melanoma Research Program Idea Award
The FY26 Melanoma Research Program Idea Award funds innovative, high-risk research projects without requiring preliminary data, offering up to $560,000 over 2 years to establish proof of principle and generate preliminary results.
Funder: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Estimated total: $5.6M | ~10 awards | Up to $560,000 per award over 2 years
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-reward melanoma research projects aiming to establish proof of principle and generate preliminary data for future funding.
Key Information: Preliminary data are discouraged; invitation required after pre-application to submit a full application.
Description
This opportunity supports innovative, exploratory, and potentially transformative research projects in melanoma. The program seeks high-risk/high-reward ideas that challenge conventional paradigms and could lead to major advances. The primary goal is to establish proof of principle and generate preliminary data to support future, larger-scale funding. Novelty and innovation are expected to be central to all proposals. Notably, preliminary data are discouraged, making this opportunity ideal for early-stage, untested concepts.
Distinctive features:
- Preliminary data are discouraged.
- Applicants must submit a pre-application; only those invited may submit a full application.
