DoW Military Burn, Technology/Therapeutic Development Award

The fiscal year 2026 Military Burn Research Program Technology/Therapeutic Development Award supports the translation of preclinical breakthroughs into tangible medical products—such as devices, drugs, or clinical guidelines—designed for use in austere, combat-relevant environments with limited resources. The program prioritizes product-oriented outcomes, including knowledge-based deliverables that directly enable the development of physical therapeutics, and requires applicants to demonstrate a Technology or Knowledge Readiness Level of at least 4. A new Mentorship Option for FY26 provides enhanced funding to establish a structured relationship between an experienced researcher and one or two junior investigators, fostering leadership development alongside a primary research project critical to combat burn care. Proposals must address one or more of the program’s defined focus areas and demonstrate clear military relevance, with evaluation based equally on scientific rigor and operational impact. Applications require a comprehensive submission package including a 15-page project narrative, technical and lay abstracts, a three-page statement of work, an impact and military relevance statement, a transition and regulatory strategy plan, and, if applicable, a mentorship plan and animal research plan. Biographical sketches, current and pending support documentation, and a detailed budget are mandatory, along with required representations confirming UEI registration and size status, with disclosures of foreign affiliations mandated under NSPM-33. The maximum total cost per award is $1.8 million for the mentorship track and $1.6 million for the standard track, with a performance period of up to three years. Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions at the government’s discretion, and selection involves a dual review process combining peer scientific evaluation with strategic programmatic alignment. Compliance with GMP, FDA regulatory pathways, and research integrity standards—including reproducibility, sex as a biological variable, and data sharing—is essential. Subcontracting plans are required for non-small businesses on contracts exceeding $900,000, and all applicants must adhere to strict formatting, submission deadlines, and file type requirements through either eBRAP or Grants.gov, depending on organizational affiliation.