DoW Toxic Exposures Clinical Trial Award

The fiscal year 2026 Toxic Exposures Research Program Clinical Trial Award (HT942526TERPCTA) is a grant mechanism administered by the Defense Health Agency to support clinical trials aimed at preventing, treating, or managing conditions resulting from military-related toxic exposures. The program focuses on three primary goals: predicting and preventing adverse effects, improving diagnostics, and minimizing disease progression. Eligible research must align with specific topic areas, including neurotoxin exposure, Gulf War Illness, airborne hazards and burn pits, and other general military toxic exposures. Projects may range from small proof-of-concept pilot studies to large-scale pragmatic trials, with the ultimate objective of advancing research toward FDA device or drug approval or the establishment of clinical practice guidelines. The award features a Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO) to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations between clinicians and research scientists, allowing for separate awards to an initiating PI and a partnering PI. The combined cost cap for the entire period of performance is 4.5 million dollars, with a maximum performance period of four years. The application process is a two-step submission via eBRAP or Grants.gov, beginning with a pre-application deadline of August 19, 2026, followed by a full application deadline of November 19, 2026. Selection is based on a two-tier review process consisting of a peer review for technical merit and a programmatic review for strategic alignment. Evaluation criteria emphasize clinical impact and military relevance, as well as adherence to rigorous study design standards such as STROBE, CONSORT, SPIRIT, and ARRIVE guidelines.