DoW Parkinson’s, Early Investigator Research Award
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Parkinson’s Research Program Early Investigator Research Award, aimed at supporting early-career researchers in developing innovative, non-clinical research to advance understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The award provides two funding tiers: Funding Level 1, up to $300,000, for postdoctoral fellows who must collaborate with an experienced PD mentor demonstrating a strong track record in research and mentorship, and Funding Level 2, up to $1,000,000, for early-career independent investigators who do not require a mentor but must submit preliminary data to support their proposal. All applications must address at least one of the four designated FY26 PRP Focus Areas and are strictly prohibited from involving clinical trials. The Principal Investigator must demonstrate strong potential for a sustained research career in PD, regardless of prior PD-specific experience, and must be affiliated with an institution capable of supporting the proposed research. Applications require a comprehensive set of attachments including a project narrative limited to eight pages, a technical and lay abstract, an impact statement, a statement of work, letters of eligibility and mentorship, and detailed plans for research outcomes, career development, animal and human subject research, and data sharing, all in PDF format with specified naming conventions. Proposals must be submitted through either Grants.gov for extramural applicants or eBRAP for intramural organizations, with a strict deadline of November 6, 2026, and are subject to dual-stage evaluation: peer review of scientific merit across ten criteria of equal weight—including personnel qualifications, research strategy, feasibility, impact, and data sharing—and programmatic review for strategic alignment with military health priorities, portfolio balance, and relevance to Service Members, Veterans, and families. The award carries a two-year period of performance with funds obligated by September 30, 2027, and available for use until September 30, 2032. Applicants must be registered with a Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.gov, disclose all foreign affiliations per NSPM-33, and comply with federal requirements including IRB/IACUC approvals, PHS inclusion reporting, and data sharing policies. Non-compliance with submission guidelines, missed deadlines, or inclusion of clinical trial components will result in administrative withdrawal. The evaluation is based on a trade-off process, where the highest-scoring applications are not automatically selected; final funding decisions reflect a balance between scientific
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Full Description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA) supports Parkinson’s disease (PD) research for investigators in the early stages of their careers. The FY26 EIRA offers two funding levels, which align to the research career stage of the Principal Investigator (PI). Funding Level 1 (for fellows) requires the investigator to receive guidance from a designated Mentor, whereas Funding Level 2 (for early-career independent investigators) does not. Proposed research must address at least one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas.
Distinctive Features:
· The Early Investigator is considered the PI of the application and must exhibit strong potential for and commitment to pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of PD research; however, the PI is not required to have previous PD research experience.
· Funding Level 1: Applications must include at least one Mentor appropriate to the proposed research project who has experience in PD research and mentoring, as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The selected Mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as a PD researcher. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required.
· Funding Level 2: Mentor not required. Preliminary data are required.
· Clinical trials are not allowed.