Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award

The fiscal year 2026 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award (TDRA), solicitation number HT942526TBDRPTDRA, is a funding opportunity from the Defense Health Agency aimed at supporting product-driven research to reduce the burden of Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions. The program focuses on two primary areas: the evaluation of novel or repurposed therapeutics in early preclinical stages and the development of diagnostic approaches that can be readily integrated into clinical settings, with a priority on the direct detection of Borrelia burgdorferi. Research focused on pathogenesis, initial discovery, or the screening of public compound libraries is considered out of scope. The program has a total appropriation of 7 million dollars for FY26, with an estimated 2.65 million dollars allocated to fund two awards. Each award is capped at a total cost of 1,325,000 dollars for a maximum period of performance of three years. The application process follows a two-tier review system consisting of a peer review for technical merit and a programmatic review for relevance to FY26 priorities. Key deadlines include a pre-application submission by July 22, 2026, and a final application deadline of October 22, 2026. Applicants must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov, eBRAP.org, and Grants.gov. Proposals require a comprehensive set of attachments, including a project narrative, statement of work, and impact statement. Research involving human or animal subjects must undergo administrative review by the DHA R&D Office of Research and Regulatory Compliance. Awards are based on technical merit, programmatic relevance, budget appropriateness, and the quality of the scientific environment.