ONHS Report: HT942526RCRPIDA

DoW Rare Cancers Idea Development Award

Solicitation ID: HT942526RCRPIDA

Agency: DHA

Type: Grant

Deadline: 2026-11-18T00:00:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Team Member/MIPR)

Funding: An estimated $7.35M is available to fund approximately 15 awards, with a total cost cap of $490,000 per award.

Doc Type: BAA

Clearance: No

Program Manager: help@eBRAP.org

Last Updated: 2026-08-19 14:43

Analyzed File: HT942526RCRPIDA_GG.pdf

Eligibility Reasoning

Applications from investigators within the DOW and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the DOW, the VA and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged... Intragovernmental obligations of funding will be made according to the terms of a negotiated Inter-Agency Agreement and managed by a CDMRP Science Officer.

Note: This is an AI-generated summary...

Summary

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Idea Development Award (IDA), offered by the Defense Health Agency, seeks to fund innovative, high-impact research ideas that are ready for further development. This grant supports research into cancers affecting six or fewer persons per 100,000 per year in the United States. Proposed projects must address at least one of four focus areas: Biology, Preclinical Research Model, Therapy, or Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Models. While preliminary data with a disease-specific rationale is required, it does not have to originate from the specific rare cancer under study. The program anticipates funding approximately 15 awards with a total cost cap of $490,000 per award for a maximum period of 3 years. Clinical trials are not allowed under this award. Independent investigators at all career levels are eligible to apply.

Overall Technical Areas

Rare Cancer BiologyDisease-Defining Molecular PathwaysTumor Microenvironment AnalysisPreclinical Research ModelsTumor-Specific Model ValidationNovel Therapeutic StrategiesDrug RepurposingArtificial Intelligence ModelsMachine Learning for DiscoveryDiscovery-Driven ResearchCorrelative Clinical StudiesStatistical Analysis PlanningSex as a Biological Variable

Probable LBNL Areas

N/A

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Biology: Identify disease-defining molecular pathways, cell context and microenvironment.

Specific Technical Skills:

Molecular BiologyCell BiologyGenomicsProteomicsTumor MicroenvironmentPathologyBioinformaticsSignal TransductionCancer Biology

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization

Example Priorities:

Preclinical Research Model: Develop and validate rare tumor-specific models that can support clinical trial readiness.

Specific Technical Skills:

In Vivo ModelsAnimal ModelsOrganoid CultureXenograft ModelsModel ValidationPreclinical Study DesignTranslational ResearchCell CultureReproducible Research

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization

Example Priorities:

Therapy: Identify novel therapeutic strategies, including drug repurposing.

Specific Technical Skills:

PharmacologyDrug DiscoveryDrug RepurposingHigh-Throughput ScreeningMedicinal ChemistryPreclinical TherapeuticsAssay DevelopmentToxicologyPharmacodynamics

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization

Example Priorities:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Model: Establish use of AI and/or ML tools in discovery, preclinical studies, and clinical trial readiness.

Specific Technical Skills:

Machine LearningArtificial IntelligenceComputational BiologyData SciencePredictive ModelingBioinformaticsAlgorithm DevelopmentBig Data AnalyticsClinical Trial Support

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization

Potential LBNL PIs (Overall)

Note on PI Matching: These suggestions are generated through an AI-driven semantic analysis of LBNL staff profiles.

Name	Score	Organization
Adam Rupe	0.74	CSA \| NERSC \| Sci Eng & Workflows Department · Machine Learning for Discovery
Jennifer Rosenbluth	0.74	· Disease-Defining Molecular Pathways
Eric Chagnon	0.73	CSA \| AMCR \| Mathematics · Artificial Intelligence Models
Jian-Hua Mao	0.72	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Department of BioEngineering and BioMedical Sciences · Tumor-Specific Model Validation
Ling Jin	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Statistical Analysis Planning
Gerard Marriott	0.72	BSA \| Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging \| Cellular & Tissue Image · Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Jamie Inman	0.71	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Department of BioEngineering and BioMedical Sciences · Preclinical Research Models
Aris Polyzos	0.71	BSA \| Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging \| Cellular & Tissue Image · Drug Repurposing
Horst Simon	0.71	CSA \| Computing \| CSDO Divisional Office · Discovery-Driven Research
Sharon Greenblum	0.71	BSA \| DOE Joint Genome Institute \| JGI Technology Dept · Sex as a Biological Variable

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

In accordance with National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 and all associated laws, all fundamental research funded by the DOW must be evaluated for affiliations with foreign entities.