DoW Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 under solicitation HT942526BCRPBTA122. This program aims to fund high-impact research capable of producing breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment and understanding. Funding Level 1 supports early-stage, high-risk, high-reward research focused on proof of concept without requiring preliminary data, while Funding Level 2 supports research validated by substantial preliminary or published data to facilitate clinical translation. A specialized Population Science Studies option is available under Level 2. The program expects to allot approximately 10.6 million dollars to fund roughly six applications. Eligible applicants may apply as a single Principal Investigator or through a Partnering PI Option. Funding limits vary by level and PI structure, ranging from 750,000 dollars for a single PI at Level 1 up to 3.35 million dollars for partnering PIs conducting Population Science Studies at Level 2. The maximum period of performance is three years, extending to four years for Population Science Studies. Applications are evaluated based on impact, research strategy, and feasibility, with personnel and partnership qualifications also considered. The application process is a two-step submission requiring a pre-application by November 4, 2026, and a full application by November 18, 2026. Required documentation includes a project narrative, statement of work, and various abstracts and statements submitted as specific PDF attachments. Applicant organizations must maintain active registration in SAM.gov and provide a Unique Entity Identifier. Additionally, all key personnel must disclose foreign affiliations, and clinical research proposals must include a Public Health Service Inclusion Enrollment Report.