DoW Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Idea Development Award

The FY26 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program Idea Development Award supports high-risk, high-reward early-stage research aimed at accelerating therapeutic advancements for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on infants, toddlers, and nonambulatory patients. Applications must present a well-formulated, testable hypothesis grounded in strong scientific rationale and include preliminary data relevant to DMD to demonstrate feasibility. Clinical trials or clinical trial aims are explicitly prohibited. The program offers three eligibility pathways: Established Investigators, New Investigators – Early-Stage (within 10 years of first faculty appointment), and New Investigators – Transitioning (researchers from other fields moving into DMD research), with separate review processes for the two New Investigator categories. The award provides a maximum budget of $500,000 for a period of performance up to two years, and applicants may request the full amount even for shorter durations. All proposals must include a detailed Statement of Work with clear annual milestones, a plan for data and resource sharing, and adherence to rigorous research standards including ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 for animal studies. Applications are required to submit ten attachments including the Project Narrative, Technical and Lay Abstracts, Impact Statement, Research Outcomes Plan, and Representations, all in specified formats and filenames. Submission must occur through Grants.gov or eBRAP, contingent upon active SAM.gov registration, a UEI, and completion of required certifications. Awards are subject to a two-tier review process—peer review followed by programmatic evaluation—and funding decisions are based on impact, scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with military health priorities. Recipients must comply with DoDGARs and 2 CFR, Chapter XI, and organizations with federal awards exceeding $10 million must provide semiannual disclosures to SAM regarding criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings. Any changes to the principal investigator or organization are permitted only on a case-by-case basis, and organizational transfers are strictly prohibited during the final year of performance. Funding from FY26 appropriations must be obligated no later than September 30, 2027, and will expire on September 30, 2032.