DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2, Funding Opportunity Number HT942525BCRPBTA122. This initiative is managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and executed by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). Since its inception in FY92, the BCRP has awarded more than $4.39 billion, and FY25 appropriations for the program total $130 million. The primary mission of the BCRP is to end breast cancer by supporting innovative, high-impact research with the potential for clinical relevance and breakthroughs that benefit Service Members, Veterans, and the public. This specific funding opportunity supports research projects under Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2, which are differentiated by scope and readiness of the proposed studies. Level 1 targets high-risk/high-reward concepts at the earliest stages of development, requiring no preliminary data, while Level 2 supports more mature studies with robust preliminary or published data and a clear path to clinical application. Additionally, Level 2 includes a Population Science and Prevention Studies option, which allows for extended funding and a longer period of performance for studies that analyze human data and biospecimens with a focus on prevention or public health. Applicants must address at least one of the FY25 BCRP overarching challenges, such as preventing breast cancer, understanding recurrence, or improving treatment regimens. Eligible applicants include both extramural and intramural organizations, including academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and government agencies. Investigators at all academic levels, including postdoctoral fellows (with a required mentorship statement), may apply. Applications may be submitted by a single Principal Investigator (PI) or a team of two partnering PIs under the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), with separate but coordinated submissions and budget justifications. Awards are made to organizations rather than individuals, and cost sharing is not required. The total anticipated budget for this funding opportunity is $15.65 million, which is expected to fund approximately nine awards. Award ceilings vary by funding level and PI structure: up to $750,000 for Level 1 single PI applications, $1.25 million for Level 1 PPIO, $1.65 million for Level 2 single PI, and $2.5 million for Level 2 PPIO. For Level 2 Population Science and Prevention Studies, ceilings rise to $2.5 million for single PI and $3.35 million for PPIO. All awards are structured as grants and may not be used to support clinical trials. The submission process requires a two-step application via eBRAP and Grants.gov. The pre-application (Letter of Intent) is due by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 27, 2025, followed by the full application deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET on September 10, 2025. Verification of submissions must be completed in eBRAP by September 15, 2025. Applications undergo a two-tier review process, including scientific peer review and programmatic review. Applications that do not meet the intent of the selected funding level or do not address an overarching challenge without proper justification will not be recommended for funding. For assistance with the pre-application or technical issues, applicants can contact the eBRAP Help Desk at 301-682-5507 or help@eBRAP.org. For Grants.gov questions, the Contact Center can be reached at 800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Award announcements are expected by late January 2026, and funded awards will be made by September 30, 2026. Funds from this opportunity must be obligated by September 30, 2031. Reporting requirements include annual and final progress reports in RPPR format, and compliance with federal and DoD research oversight is mandatory.

Align proposal clearly with funding level and BCRP challenges. Follow all formatting and eligibility instructions strictly.