DHA- Military Health System Research Program

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Defense Health Agency (DHA), has announced a funding opportunity under the Military Health System Research Program (MHSRP) for fiscal year 2026. The goal of the MHSRP is to support innovative research that improves the efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of healthcare delivery within the Military Health System (MHS). This research is expected to produce actionable findings that influence DoD policy and decision-making at both strategic and operational levels. The funding opportunity targets both intramural (DoD) and extramural (non-DoD) researchers with a strong emphasis on collaboration and alignment with MHS priorities. The MHS is a comprehensive health care system serving 9.6 million beneficiaries, including service members, their families, and retirees. It comprises hundreds of hospitals and clinics worldwide and is supported by the TRICARE health program. MHSRP-funded research must address one or more of six priority areas—Economics and Cost, Quality, Outcomes, Variation, Health Readiness, and Health System—and align with one of five clinical priority areas such as Women’s Health, Specialty Care, Surgical Services, Telehealth, or Pharmacy. Proposals should enhance the system’s performance, readiness, and patient outcomes. Eligible applicants include both DoD and non-DoD organizations such as academic institutions, non-profits, and government entities, excluding Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) from direct awards. The application process involves multiple steps: a Letter of Intent (LOI) submission, invitation to submit a full proposal, and subsequent review. Applicants may submit up to two LOIs, though only one can be selected for full proposal submission. No cost-sharing or matching is required. Intramural applicants must provide succession plans and letters of support from commanding officers due to potential deployments. The timeline includes an LOI submission deadline of July 9, 2025, an invitation to submit applications by August 1, 2025, and a final application submission deadline of October 17, 2025. Reviews are scheduled for February 2026. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, following strict formatting and documentation guidelines. Key application components include the SF-424 form, project narrative, biosketches, data sharing plans, and letters of support. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in rejection. Proposals are evaluated based on research objectives, theoretical rationale, design and methods, and alignment with MHS priorities. The funding mechanism may be a grant or cooperative agreement, with the DHA potentially involved in various aspects of project management and implementation. Up to $10 million in total funding is available, with individual awards depending on merit and available funds. Each project may span up to three years, with maximum funding limits specified. For inquiries, applicants may contact the DHA MHSRP via email at dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.hsr@health.mil or the Grants.gov Help Center for technical issues. Additional resources and references for prospective applicants are provided within the NOFO, including links to data repositories and collaboration guides with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Strict formatting and submission via Grants.gov No inclusion of URLs in narrative Prioritize military relevance Submit all documents as specified, including biosketches and command letters