DoW Prostate Cancer, Early Investigator Research Award

The FY26 Prostate Cancer Research Program Early Investigator Research Award supports early-career scientists with fewer than three years of postdoctoral research experience, excluding clinical training, in conducting high-impact prostate cancer research under the guidance of an experienced mentor with a proven track record in the field. Applicants must align their proposals with one of the FY26 PCRP Overarching Challenges and submit a detailed Researcher Development Plan outlining a personalized strategy for their transition to independent research status. The award has a fixed budget cap of $630,000 in total costs over a maximum three-year period, with no funding permitted for equipment or mentor salaries. All submissions must be completed through Grants.gov for extramural applicants or eBRAP for intramural applicants, using a strictly formatted application package that includes a one-page Technical Abstract, a one-page Lay Abstract, a three-page Statement of Work, a two-page Researcher Development Plan, and supporting documentation such as biographical sketches, current and pending support, and a representation form confirming compliance with federal requirements including active Unique Entity Identifier registration in SAM.gov. Foreign affiliations of key personnel must be fully disclosed, and failure to do so results in automatic disqualification. Applications are evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, alignment with program priorities, and the quality of mentorship and career development planning, with funding decisions made through a competitive two-tier review process that balances technical excellence with programmatic needs rather than cost alone. The performance site is determined by the applicant’s host institution, and no clinical trials are permitted. Compliance with ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines for research rigor and mandatory data and research resource sharing is required, and the award is structured as a grant under 31 USC 6304 rather than a procurement contract, with no traditional contract line items, FOB terms, or physical packaging requirements.