DoD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2

The Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 under the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) is administered by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). This program is managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) through its acquisition activity, USAMRAA. Since its inception in 1992, the BCRP has allocated over $4.39 billion towards high-impact, innovative breast cancer research. The fiscal year 2025 (FY25) appropriation for the program is $130 million. The program specifically supports research that could lead to breakthroughs benefiting Service Members, Veterans, military families, and the broader American public. The Breakthrough Award mechanism aims to fund research addressing urgent breast cancer challenges. Applicants must align their research with at least one of the BCRP’s FY25 overarching challenges, which focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the biology of breast cancer. The program is not limited to specific research stages but emphasizes the potential for major impacts in the field. Funding Level 1 supports high-risk, early-stage ideas without requiring preliminary data, while Funding Level 2 requires substantial existing data and focuses on clinical translation. An additional sub-category under Level 2 supports Population Science and Prevention Studies, offering a higher budget and extended performance period with strong justification. This award supports both single Principal Investigator (PI) applications and collaborations via the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), which allows two investigators to jointly lead a project. PIO partnerships must be substantively justified and balanced in contributions and budget. Funding details vary by level: Level 1 offers up to $750,000 for single PI or $1.25M for PPIO; Level 2 provides up to $1.65M or $2.5M; and Level 2 Population Studies offers up to $2.5M or $3.35M. All projects must be completed within three years, except Population Studies which may extend to four years. Clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity. Eligibility is open to both extramural (non-DOD) and intramural (DOD) organizations, including domestic and foreign entities, academic institutions, private and public entities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. PIs at any academic level, including postdoctoral fellows (with required mentorship documentation), may apply. There is no cost-sharing requirement. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), eBRAP, and Grants.gov to submit applications. The application process consists of two steps: a Letter of Intent (LOI) pre-application submitted via eBRAP by June 13, 2025, and a full application due by June 27, 2025. The verification period ends on July 2, 2025. Peer review will occur in September 2025, followed by a programmatic review in November 2025. Awards are anticipated by September 30, 2026. Applications must be complete and consistent across all platforms to avoid rejection. Evaluation criteria include impact, research strategy and feasibility, personnel qualifications, and the strength of partnerships for PPIO applications. Innovation is emphasized particularly for Level 1 submissions. Applications are judged in a two-tier process involving peer and programmatic review. A comprehensive set of required documents includes technical and lay abstracts, a statement of work, impact and partnership statements, and various administrative forms. Contact support is available via eBRAP and Grants.gov for technical or submission-related assistance.