Open now. The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity, through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, is accepting applications for the DoW Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 (HT942526BCRPBTA122), Assistance Listing 12.420.
Funding and deadlines
CDMRP expects approximately $10.6 million in program funding for about 6 awards. Cost sharing is not required.
The mandatory Letter of Intent is due November 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time through eBRAP. The full application is due November 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Funding Level 1 supports up to $750,000 total cost for a single PI or $1.25 million under the Partnering PI Option for up to three years. Funding Level 2 supports up to $1.65 million single PI or $2.5 million partnering PI for up to three years. Funding Level 2 Population Science Studies may request up to $2.5 million single PI or $3.35 million partnering PI over up to four years.
What the program supports
The mechanism supports promising research with high potential to produce major advances in breast cancer and accelerate progress toward ending the disease. Research must address at least one FY26 BCRP overarching challenge or provide adequate justification for an exception.
Funding Level 1 is intended for early-stage, high-risk/high-reward ideas and does not require preliminary data. Funding Level 2 requires substantial preliminary or published breast-cancer data. Clinical research may be proposed, but clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism.
Eligibility and submission controls
The federal listing is unrestricted, subject to the detailed program-announcement requirements. Applicants must satisfy CDMRP organization, investigator, registration, and submission requirements. A research project already submitted under the earlier FY26 BTA12 opportunity may not be resubmitted under this Round 2 opportunity.
Atlas strategy
Atlas Opportunity Score: 74/100. The mechanism is attractive for established breast-cancer investigators and research organizations, with a particularly accessible early-stage path at Funding Level 1 because preliminary data are not required.
N9+ Fit: 42/100, conditional. The Nonagon N9+ is not a breast-cancer diagnostic or treatment. A legitimate role could exist as a remote physical examination, vitals, telehealth-enabled encounter, treatment-support/toxicity monitoring, or population-science data-collection component when those functions directly support a qualifying breast-cancer research aim and an eligible overarching challenge.
Direct Dr. Miltie posture: Dr. Miltie should not be treated as submission-ready without a qualified independent PI, a scientifically credible breast-cancer research concept and team, the required registrations, and all mechanism-specific research and regulatory capabilities. The preferred posture is partner-led.
Next action
Prioritize breast-cancer research teams with credible FY26 BCRP intent, especially Level 1 investigators developing a strong early-stage breakthrough concept or Level 2 teams with qualifying preliminary evidence.
Official federal opportunity: Simpler.Grants.gov.
CDMRP funding page: FY26 Breast Cancer Research Program Funding Opportunities.