Open now. The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity, through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, is accepting applications for the DoW Parkinson’s, Early Investigator Research Award (HT942526PRPEIRA), Assistance Listing 12.420.
Funding and deadlines
CDMRP expects approximately $4.2 million in program funding for about seven awards. Funding Level 1 awards have a $300,000 total-cost cap; Funding Level 2 awards have a $1 million total-cost cap. The maximum period of performance is two years. Cost sharing is not required.
The mandatory Letter of Intent is due October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time through eBRAP. The full application is due November 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Confidential letters of recommendation are due November 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Who and what the program supports
The award supports Parkinson’s disease research led by investigators in the early stages of their careers. Proposed work must address at least one FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program focus area and demonstrate potential relevance to Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries and the broader public. Clinical trials are not allowed, although qualifying clinical research involving human subjects, secondary human data or human anatomical substances is permitted.
Funding Level 1 is for postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows or equivalent investigators and requires at least one qualified Parkinson’s research mentor. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required. Funding Level 2 is for early-career independent investigators within 10 years of completing an advanced degree or residency training, or equivalent. A mentor is not required, but preliminary data are required.
Eligibility and submission controls
Eligible organizations include foreign and domestic for-profit and nonprofit organizations and public or private entities, including eligible extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War organizations. The PI must be a postdoctoral fellow, clinical fellow, or independent investigator within the specified early-career window and may be named as PI on only one FY26 PRP EIRA application.
Submission is a two-step process. The pre-application Letter of Intent is submitted through eBRAP. Extramural organizations submit the full application through Grants.gov; intramural Department of War organizations submit through eBRAP.
Atlas strategy
Atlas Opportunity Score: 91/100. This is a strong early-career Parkinson’s research opportunity with two distinct pathways matched to investigator stage. It is best pursued through a qualified academic, clinical or research institution that can support the PI’s scientific program and, for Funding Level 1, the required mentoring and researcher-development structure.
Preferred posture: Partner-Led / Qualified Early-Career Parkinson’s Investigator.
Next action
Prioritize eligible fellows and early-career independent investigators with a project aligned to at least one FY26 PRP focus area. For Funding Level 1, confirm an appropriate Parkinson’s mentor and development plan. For Funding Level 2, confirm qualifying preliminary data and independent-investigator status.
Official federal opportunity: Simpler.Grants.gov.