Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526NFRPIIRA
The FY26 Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a U.S. Department of Defense-funded grant opportunity aimed at supporting high-impact research on neurofibromatosis (NF) disorders. The core purpose of the program is to fund projects that tackle a clearly defined, critical need in the NF field and that have a strong chance of meaningfully advancing scientific understanding and/or improving patient care. The opportunity is designed to be investigator-initiated, meaning the applicant drives the research question and approach, as long as it is grounded in NF-relevant evidence and positioned to make an important contribution.
The scope of work is broad in terms of scientific stage and approach. Projects can address essentially any phase of research, from foundational laboratory studies through translational or population-based research, but clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism. The program also emphasizes that strong research ideas can originate from multiple sources, including laboratory discoveries, epidemiologic or population-level observations, a clinician's direct experience treating patients, or even well-supported anecdotal observations that point to an unmet need or promising direction. Regardless of where the idea comes from, applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are both relevant to NF and directly connected to the proposed project. In practice, that requirement signals that proposals should not be purely speculative; reviewers will expect to see evidence that the concept is feasible and that the underlying rationale is anchored in NF biology, NF patient experience, or NF-specific datasets.
A notable feature of this award is its two-tier funding structure, which is tied to whether an applicant opts into certain program features meant to accelerate progress and collaboration. Level 1 applications are standard submissions that do not include any optional feature. Level 2 applications include one of two optional features and represent a pathway for applicants who want to align their projects with either open data practices or structured collaboration. The first optional feature is the Open Science Initiative, which is intended to speed NF research by promoting earlier access to research outputs and encouraging data sharing within the NF community. The second optional feature is the Optional Qualified Collaborator component, which is meant to strengthen cross-disciplinary and cross-sector work by encouraging partnerships between basic scientists and clinical researchers, as well as collaborations that bridge academia and biotechnology.
Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) as a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology/Research and Development activity category (CFDA 12.420). The eligibility category is listed as unrestricted, indicating that a wide range of applicant types may be able to apply, subject to the full funding announcement requirements. The funding opportunity number is HT942526NFRPIIRA, it was created on June 25, 2026, and the original closing date is September 22, 2026. The announcement indicates an expectation of approximately seven awards, while the award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.Apply for HT942526NFRPIIRA
- The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Neurofibromatosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FY26 NFRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) FAQs
What is the FY26 NFRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?
The FY26 Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a U.S. Department of Defense-funded grant opportunity intended to support high-impact research focused on neurofibromatosis (NF) disorders.
What is the main goal of this award?
The main goal is to fund projects that address a clearly defined, critical need in the NF field and that have a strong chance of meaningfully advancing scientific understanding and/or improving patient care.
Who decides the research question and approach?
This is an investigator-initiated opportunity, meaning the applicant drives the research question and approach, as long as the work is grounded in NF-relevant evidence and positioned to make an important contribution to the field.
What types or phases of research are eligible under this mechanism?
The scope is broad and can include essentially any phase of research, ranging from foundational laboratory studies to translational research and population-based research.
Are clinical trials allowed under the IIRA?
No. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism.
Where can a strong research idea come from for this award?
The program notes that strong research ideas may originate from multiple sources, including laboratory discoveries, epidemiologic or population-level observations, a clinician's experience treating patients, or well-supported anecdotal observations that indicate an unmet need or promising direction.
Is preliminary data required to apply?
Yes. Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to NF and directly connected to the proposed project.
Can I submit a proposal that is purely speculative?
No. The requirement for NF-relevant preliminary and/or published data indicates proposals should not be purely speculative. Reviewers will expect evidence supporting feasibility and a rationale anchored in NF biology, NF patient experience, or NF-specific datasets.
What is meant by a "two-tier funding structure" for this award?
The award uses two application levels tied to whether the applicant includes certain optional program features intended to accelerate progress and collaboration.
What is a Level 1 application?
Level 1 applications are standard submissions that do not include any optional feature.
What is a Level 2 application?
Level 2 applications include one of two optional features. This level is intended for applicants who want to align their projects with either open data practices or structured collaboration approaches described in the announcement.
What optional features can be included in a Level 2 application?
Level 2 applications can include one of the following: (1) the Open Science Initiative, or (2) the Optional Qualified Collaborator component.
What is the Open Science Initiative option?
The Open Science Initiative is intended to speed NF research by promoting earlier access to research outputs and encouraging data sharing within the NF community.
What is the Optional Qualified Collaborator option?
The Optional Qualified Collaborator component is intended to strengthen cross-disciplinary and cross-sector work. It encourages partnerships between basic scientists and clinical researchers, and collaborations that bridge academia and biotechnology.
Does choosing Level 2 mean I must include both optional features?
No. Level 2 is described as including one of two optional features (either the Open Science Initiative or the Optional Qualified Collaborator component).
What government office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA).
What is the activity category for this grant?
It is listed as a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology/Research and Development activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The listing provides CFDA 12.420.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility category is listed as unrestricted, which indicates a wide range of applicant types may be able to apply, subject to the full funding announcement requirements.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HT942526NFRPIIRA.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 25, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is September 22, 2026.
How many awards are expected?
The announcement indicates an expectation of approximately seven awards.
Is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount) provided in the listing?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.
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