DoW Reconstructive Transplant, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
This grant funds investigator-initiated research in reconstructive transplant with military relevance, supporting basic to translational studies (excluding clinical trials) that aim to improve patient care and quality of life.
Funder: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
Due Dates: October 21, 2026 (Required letter of intent) | November 4, 2026 (Full application) | November 9, 2026 (Verification)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1 million in total costs per award for up to 3 years; approximately $8 million for 8 awards
Summary: Supports military-relevant reconstructive transplant research to improve patient care, transplant access, and quality of life.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed, and relevant preliminary and/or published data are required.
Description
The FY26 Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports research with potential to improve reconstructive transplantation, patient care, and quality of life. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) manages the opportunity, solicited by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity. The program advances vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA)—transplantation of multiple tissues as a functional unit, such as a hand or face—to improve access, safety, and outcomes for catastrophically injured Service Members, Veterans, and the public.
Supported work ranges from basic through translational research, including animal studies, human-subject or human-specimen research, and correlative studies associated with existing clinical trials. Findings from solid organ transplantation may be tested in VCA when the rationale and benefits are justified. Projects must demonstrate scientific rationale and military-relevant utility.
