DoW Kidney Cancer, Idea Development Award

The fiscal year 2026 Kidney Cancer Research Program Idea Development Award supports high-impact research aimed at advancing the understanding of kidney cancer biology, identifying novel therapeutic strategies, and improving patient outcomes through innovative and testable hypotheses grounded in strong scientific rationale. Applicants must propose a well-developed research approach led by a team with demonstrated expertise in kidney cancer research, and projects must align with one or more focus areas including basic biology, detection and diagnosis, rare kidney cancers, therapeutic strategies, or quality of life improvements. The award offers two submission pathways: a Single Principal Investigator option with a funding cap of $900,000 and a Partnering Principal Investigator option allowing collaboration between two investigators with a combined cap of $1.2 million. For the partnering option, both investigators must submit full applications, with the Partnering PI submitting an abbreviated package specific to their portion of the research; failure to submit either application or administrative withdrawal of either will result in the withdrawal of the entire project. The maximum period of performance is three years, and applicants may request the full funding amount even if the project duration is shorter. Indirect costs must follow negotiated rates, and all subaward costs must be included within the primary award’s direct costs. Applications must be submitted through a two-step process: a pre-application via eBRAP by September 14, 2026, followed by a full application submitted by September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET through either eBRAP or Grants.gov depending on the applicant’s institutional type. Extramural organizations must use Grants.gov and hold active SAM.gov, eBRAP.org, and Grants.gov registrations with a valid UEI. Required attachments include a Project Narrative, Technical and Lay Abstracts, Statement of Work, Impact Statement, and, if applicable, an Animal Research Plan, Partnership Statement, and Post-Award Progression Plan. Biographical sketches and current/pending support documents for all key personnel are mandatory, along with the Required Representations document for Grants.gov submissions. Proposals are evaluated based on three equally weighted criteria: research strategy and feasibility, personnel expertise (including collaboration quality), and application presentation and clarity. Additional programmatic review considers alignment with FY26 KCRP priorities, portfolio balance, and relative impact. Award recipients must comply with federal regulations for human subjects and animal research, obtaining approval from the DHA R&D Office of Research and Regulatory Compliance in addition to local IRB or I