Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award

The Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award for fiscal year 2026 is a grant opportunity aimed at advancing early-stage therapeutic and diagnostic research for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses to reduce public health burdens and improve patient outcomes. Applications must focus on product-driven development, with therapeutic proposals targeting novel drugs or treatments still in preclinical phases and diagnostic proposals designed for seamless integration into clinical practice. The award supports research that directly addresses critical gaps in care, particularly with relevance to military personnel, veterans, and their families, and emphasizes translational impact toward clinical implementation. The maximum award amount is $1,325,000 in total costs over a period of up to three years, with funding tied to the FY26 appropriation and no extensions beyond September 30, 2032. Proposals must be submitted through the eBRAP portal or Grants.gov depending on institutional affiliation, and all documents must adhere to strict PDF formatting and naming conventions outlined in the submission guidelines. Evaluation is conducted through a two-tier process, with peer review focusing first on Research Strategy and Feasibility and Impact as the most critical factors, followed by lesser-weighted considerations of Personnel, Statistical Plan, and Post-Award Transition Plan. Non-scored elements such as budget, environment, and application presentation are reviewed for completeness but do not influence scoring. Final funding decisions are based on a trade-off between technical merit and programmatic alignment with agency priorities, not lowest cost. Applicants must comply with federal research standards including ARRIVE and STROBE guidelines, the Common Rule for human subjects, and data management requirements under DoD instruction. Mandatory attachments include a six-page Statement of Work, a three-page Transition Plan detailing pathways to clinical or commercial deployment, biographical sketches for key personnel, and certifications regarding organizational size and socioeconomic status via the Required Representations form. All awardees must register in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier, and research may be conducted at institutional, military, or VA facilities without a fixed location. No traditional contract clauses or detailed pricing structures apply, as this is a research grant rather than a procurement contract, and financial reporting will be managed through Research Performance Progress Reports submitted via eBRAP.