DoD Melanoma, Team Science Award

The Department of Defense (DoD), through its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), is offering the Fiscal Year 2025 Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award (TSA). Managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), the MRP supports high-impact, hypothesis-driven multidisciplinary research aiming to advance understanding and care in the field of melanoma. The TSA initiative emphasizes collaboration among two to three principal investigators (PIs) who jointly design and execute a single project. These may include multi-institutional partnerships, with each PI receiving a separate award contingent on project approval. The TSA seeks to catalyze team-based innovation by integrating diverse scientific disciplines to solve complex problems in melanoma research and/or patient care. The award funds research aligned with at least one of three strategic MRP focus areas: Prevention and Interception, Rare Melanomas, and Survivorship. Applications must propose studies that advance short-term scientific goals with tangible impact on patient outcomes. Projects may encompass translational research, data science, bioengineering, or basic-to-translational studies. Collaborations with melanoma consumers—survivors, caregivers, and advocates—are encouraged to enhance research relevance. The FY25 TSA has a total program funding of $14.7 million and expects to award approximately seven grants, with a combined cap of $2.1 million per award. Each award covers a three-year performance period. Funding is provided under Assistance Listing Number 12.420 and must be used by September 30, 2031. Applications must include preliminary data and adhere to strict eligibility: both initiating and partnering PIs must be independent investigators, though their career stages may vary. Mentored positions like postdoctoral fellows are ineligible. The application process involves two steps. A pre-application must be submitted via eBRAP by June 30, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited by July 31, 2025, to submit full applications by October 1, 2025, via either Grants.gov (extramural) or eBRAP (intramural). Applications are evaluated in a two-tier review: peer review based on scientific merit and programmatic review for strategic relevance. Key evaluation areas include research impact, collaboration strength, feasibility, and potential for clinical translation. The TSA prohibits clinical trials but allows clinical research, provided no interventions are tested for safety or efficacy. Submission requirements are comprehensive. For pre-applications, a one-page narrative and supporting documents are required. Invited full applications must include detailed project narratives, technical and lay abstracts, statements of work, budget justifications, and collaboration plans. Additional attachments cover impact assessment, post-award transition planning, and optional melanoma consumer collaboration plans. Compliance with U.S. federal research policies, including human subjects and animal welfare protections, is mandatory. Contact support is available via the eBRAP Help Desk (301-682-5507, help@eBRAP.org) and the Grants.gov Contact Center (800-518-4726, support@grants.gov). Award notices will be posted in eBRAP and also publicly via the CDMRP website. Awardees must submit annual and final reports, with an additional transition plan outlining research sustainability. Failure to meet eligibility or application requirements may result in administrative rejection or withdrawal.