Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 22 S DMRDP BWMIR
The Battlefield Wound Management and Infection Research (BWMIR) Award is a Department of Defense funding opportunity under the Defense Medical Research and Development Program (DMRDP) aimed at improving how traumatic combat wounds are treated and how infections are prevented and controlled across the full continuum of care. The central focus is on the realities of battlefield medicine: prolonged field care, en route care, limited supplies and staffing, harsh or austere environments, and the added strain of mass casualty events. The program is looking for research that deepens practical understanding of complex wound physiology and infection dynamics in ways that can drive near- to mid-term improvements in products, technologies, and clinical practice, with clear relevance to active-duty Service Members while also offering potential benefit to civilian trauma care.
A key theme in this award is translational momentum. Applicants are encouraged to "leverage" existing resources, meaning they should build on prior investments such as existing datasets, prototypes, platforms, clinical networks, biorepositories, validated models, or other mature capabilities to amplify what can be learned or to accelerate technical readiness. Projects that advance or repurpose existing solutions are viewed favorably because they tend to move faster toward real-world use, but entirely new approaches are not automatically excluded as long as they are applied and positioned for translation. The opportunity explicitly welcomes both "knowledge products" (research outputs that can improve individual or public health, such as actionable insights, protocols, or decision-support methods) and solutions that can speed the introduction of military-relevant medical products or technologies into clinical or operational settings.
The scope is intentionally practical rather than exploratory. Fundamental basic research is not allowed under this announcement; the program draws a line between studies that simply expand general scientific knowledge and studies designed with a specific application in mind. In contrast, applied and preclinical research is appropriate, including animal studies, as long as it is supported by substantial preliminary or published data and is geared toward validating clinical translation. On the clinical side, the award can support clinical research and small early-stage clinical trials, including first-in-human and Phase 1/1b efforts. However, it does not permit Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials aimed at FDA licensure for drugs or definitive/pivotal studies intended for device clearance. Studies that would require an Exception From Informed Consent (EFIC) are also not permitted, which matters for emergency trauma research where consent can be difficult.
The announcement provides clear definitions so applicants understand what qualifies as clinical research and a clinical trial. Clinical research includes direct interaction with human subjects (or identifiable human-origin materials), along with epidemiologic, behavioral, outcomes, and health services research. A clinical trial is defined as prospective assignment of one or more human subjects to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes. If a clinical trial is funded, the awardee must post the IRB-approved informed consent form used for enrollment on a public federal website in line with federal human-subjects requirements (32 CFR 219). Notably, studies that qualify for IRB Exemption 4 using existing, de-identified specimens or publicly available de-identified data are not considered clinical research under the CDMRP definition, which can affect how a proposal is categorized and what requirements apply.
Funding is offered under two selectable levels tied to the type of work proposed, and the applicant must choose the level that fits the project scope (with the government retaining the right to fund at a lower level if appropriate). Funding Level 1 supports preclinical research only and requires substantial preliminary or published data; it cannot include clinical research or clinical trials, and total costs are capped at $1.2 million. Funding Level 2 supports projects that include clinical research or a clinical trial (and may include some preclinical work), again requiring substantial preliminary or published data; total costs are capped at $2.2 million. For proposals that include clinical studies or trials, there are added readiness expectations, including a requirement that any proposed clinical trial be initiated no later than month 9 of the initial period of performance, which pushes teams to have protocols, sites, and regulatory plans in place early.
Regulatory planning is treated as a serious part of feasibility for clinical work involving investigational products. If a proposed trial uses a drug that is not FDA-approved for the intended investigational use, the applicant may need an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission meeting 21 CFR 312 requirements, or formal evidence that an IND is not required. Similarly, investigational devices may require an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) under 21 CFR 812, or documentation that an IDE is not needed or that an abbreviated IDE applies. If the trial will take place internationally, the proposal must include evidence that submissions to the relevant host-country regulatory authorities have been made or approved. The IND/IDE is expected to be specific to the product and indication being tested rather than a loosely related or modified version, and the application package references a required Regulatory Strategy attachment for these details.
From an operational standpoint, the award emphasizes that solutions should reflect how care is actually delivered in combat and pre-hospital settings. Proposals are encouraged to account for variable skill levels among providers (from medics to surgeons), constrained logistics, and environmental diversity (temperature extremes, contamination risk, limited sterility, intermittent power, evacuation delays). While the program is military-driven, it explicitly does not exclude civilian-focused trauma advances, recognizing that civilian and military trauma systems influence each other and can overlap during disasters or large-scale events. The intent is to support work that can realistically be adopted in the field and then translate into broader trauma care improvements.
On oversight and compliance, any funded research involving human anatomical substances, human subjects, or cadavers must undergo Department of Defense administrative review and approval through the USAMRDC Office of Human and Animal Research Oversight (OHARO) before the work can begin, in addition to local IRB or Ethics Committee review. Local IRB approval is not required at the time of submission, but teams should plan for the OHARO human research review timeline, which may take up to about three months after complete documentation is submitted. Multi-institution human-subjects projects also need a plan for single IRB arrangements, identifying the lead institution that will manage the master protocol, master consent, and serve as the central regulatory point of contact.
Animal work has parallel requirements. Any animal research must be reviewed and approved not only by the local IACUC but also by the USAMRDC Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO), and applicants should anticipate a roughly three- to four-month timeline for ACURO review after submission of the necessary materials. The program also places heavy emphasis on rigor and reproducibility, referencing established best practices such as randomization, blinding, sample-size estimation, and transparent data handling. Applicants using animal models must include an Animal Research Plan and are encouraged to align planning and reporting with ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines, with the goal of improving the predictive value of preclinical findings and supporting translation.
In terms of who can apply and how awards are issued, eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of organizations can apply (subject to any clarifications in the full announcement). The funding instrument is flexible: awards may be made as grants, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and the specific instrument is chosen by the government based on the intended relationship and level of agency involvement. Cooperative agreements are used when substantial government involvement is expected, while grants are used when it is not; contracts are used when the government is acquiring goods or services for its own direct use. OTAs may be used to enable more flexible, industry-aligned collaboration models, particularly to attract nontraditional defense contractors and speed development of dual-use technologies.
Programmatically, the Army contracting and assistance office (USAMRAA) administers the opportunity, with applications falling under CFDA 12.420. The funding opportunity number is W81XWH-22-S-DMRDP-BWMIR. It was posted on September 21, 2022, with an original closing date of November 16, 2022, and planned awards by no later than September 30, 2023. The program anticipated supporting roughly 7 to 10 awards using an estimated combined pool of about $9.39 million in FY22 funds and $7.29 million in FY23 funds, with funding contingent on appropriations, application volume, scientific and programmatic merit, and government requirements. Applications from both extramural applicants and an intramural solicitation are reviewed together, and the government can choose any mix of internal and external projects for funding.
Finally, the opportunity signals an expectation of sharing. The CDMRP states an intent for information, data, and research resources generated under funded awards to be made available to the broader research community and the public, consistent with program guidance. In practice, that means teams should be prepared to think about data management and dissemination early, especially if their project is creating clinically relevant datasets, protocols, or translational resources that could speed adoption and improve outcomes for both Warfighters and civilian patients.Apply for W81XWH 22 S DMRDP BWMIR
- The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Battlefield Wound Management and Infection Research Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 21, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 16, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Battlefield Wound Management and Infection Research (BWMIR) Award FAQs
1) What is the BWMIR Award?
The Battlefield Wound Management and Infection Research (BWMIR) Award is a Department of Defense funding opportunity under the Defense Medical Research and Development Program (DMRDP). It supports applied, practical research to improve how traumatic combat wounds are treated and how infections are prevented and controlled across the full continuum of care, with clear relevance to active-duty Service Members and potential spillover benefit to civilian trauma care.
2) What kinds of battlefield realities is the program specifically trying to address?
The program is centered on the constraints of battlefield and pre-hospital medicine, including prolonged field care, en route care, limited supplies and staffing, austere or harsh environments, and the additional strain created by mass casualty events. Proposals are expected to reflect how care is actually delivered in these conditions.
3) What is the main research focus area?
The focus is on practical understanding of complex wound physiology and infection dynamics that can drive near- to mid-term improvements in products, technologies, and clinical practice. The emphasis is on outcomes that can realistically move toward real-world use rather than purely exploratory science.
4) Is basic/fundamental research allowed?
No. Fundamental basic research is not allowed under this announcement. The scope is intentionally practical and application-driven, drawing a clear line between general knowledge generation and research designed to support a specific use case and translation path.
5) What types of research are appropriate under this award?
Applied and preclinical research is appropriate, including animal studies, when supported by substantial preliminary or published data and geared toward validating clinical translation. The award can also support clinical research and small early-stage clinical trials (including first-in-human and Phase 1/1b efforts), within the limits described in the announcement.
6) What does the program mean by "translational momentum"?
Translational momentum refers to designing projects so they can move toward real-world impact in the near to mid term. The program encourages applicants to leverage existing resources (such as datasets, prototypes, platforms, clinical networks, biorepositories, validated models, or other mature capabilities) to accelerate learning and technical readiness.
7) Do projects have to build on existing datasets, prototypes, or platforms?
The opportunity strongly encourages leveraging prior investments and mature capabilities because those projects often progress faster toward operational or clinical use. Entirely new approaches are not automatically excluded, but they should still be applied and positioned for translation rather than exploratory.
8) What are "knowledge products" in the context of this award?
"Knowledge products" are research outputs that can improve individual or public health, such as actionable insights, protocols, or decision-support methods. The program welcomes these outputs as well as solutions aimed at accelerating the introduction of military-relevant medical products or technologies into operational or clinical settings.
9) Is civilian trauma care research excluded?
No. While the program is military-driven and must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, it explicitly recognizes that civilian and military trauma systems overlap and influence each other. Civilian-focused trauma advances are not excluded, particularly when they align with battlefield needs or large-scale disaster scenarios.
10) What counts as clinical research under this announcement?
Clinical research includes studies involving direct interaction with human subjects (or identifiable human-origin materials) and can include epidemiologic, behavioral, outcomes, and health services research, as described in the announcement.
11) What is the definition of a clinical trial for this opportunity?
A clinical trial is defined as prospective assignment of one or more human subjects to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes.
12) Are Phase 2 or Phase 3 clinical trials allowed?
No. The award does not permit Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials aimed at FDA licensure for drugs or definitive/pivotal studies intended for device clearance. The clinical trial support is limited to small early-stage efforts such as first-in-human and Phase 1/1b.
13) Are studies requiring an Exception From Informed Consent (EFIC) allowed?
No. Studies that would require an Exception From Informed Consent (EFIC) are not permitted under this opportunity.
14) If a clinical trial is funded, are there special human-subjects posting requirements?
Yes. If a clinical trial is funded, the awardee must post the IRB-approved informed consent form used for enrollment on a public federal website in line with federal human-subjects requirements (32 CFR 219).
15) Are studies using existing de-identified specimens or public de-identified data treated as clinical research?
Not necessarily. Studies that qualify for IRB Exemption 4 using existing, de-identified specimens or publicly available de-identified data are not considered clinical research under the CDMRP definition, which can change how the proposal is categorized and what requirements apply.
16) How many funding levels are available, and how do applicants choose?
There are two selectable funding levels tied to the work proposed, and the applicant must choose the level that fits the project scope. The government retains the right to fund at a lower level if appropriate.
17) What is Funding Level 1 and what is the maximum budget?
Funding Level 1 supports preclinical research only, requires substantial preliminary or published data, and cannot include clinical research or clinical trials. Total costs are capped at $1.2 million.
18) What is Funding Level 2 and what is the maximum budget?
Funding Level 2 supports projects that include clinical research or a clinical trial (and may include some preclinical work). It requires substantial preliminary or published data and is capped at $2.2 million in total costs.
19) Is preliminary or published data required?
Yes. Both funding levels require substantial preliminary or published data, reflecting the program's applied, translational expectations.
20) How quickly must a proposed clinical trial start under Funding Level 2?
For proposals that include clinical studies or trials, readiness expectations apply. Any proposed clinical trial is required to be initiated no later than month 9 of the initial period of performance, which implies teams should have protocols, sites, and regulatory plans ready early.
21) What regulatory requirements apply to investigational drugs in clinical trials?
If a proposed trial uses a drug that is not FDA-approved for the intended investigational use, the applicant may need an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission meeting 21 CFR 312 requirements, or formal evidence that an IND is not required.
22) What regulatory requirements apply to investigational devices in clinical trials?
Investigational devices may require an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) under 21 CFR 812, or documentation that an IDE is not needed or that an abbreviated IDE applies.
23) What if the clinical trial will be conducted internationally?
If the trial will take place internationally, the proposal must include evidence that submissions to relevant host-country regulatory authorities have been made or approved.
24) Does the IND/IDE need to match the exact product and use being tested?
Yes. The IND/IDE is expected to be specific to the product and indication being tested rather than a loosely related or modified version.
25) Is there a required regulatory planning attachment?
Yes. The application package references a required Regulatory Strategy attachment to describe the IND/IDE approach and related regulatory details.
26) What approvals are required before human research can begin?
Any funded research involving human anatomical substances, human subjects, or cadavers must undergo Department of Defense administrative review and approval through the USAMRDC Office of Human and Animal Research Oversight (OHARO) before work can begin, in addition to local IRB or Ethics Committee review.
27) Is local IRB approval required at the time of application submission?
No. Local IRB approval is not required at the time of submission, but planning for the OHARO human research review timeline is important.
28) How long can OHARO review take?
The OHARO human research review timeline may take up to about three months after complete documentation is submitted.
29) What is required for multi-institution human-subjects projects?
Multi-institution human-subjects projects need a plan for single IRB arrangements, including identifying the lead institution that will manage the master protocol and master consent and serve as the central regulatory point of contact.
30) What approvals are required for animal research?
Any animal research must be reviewed and approved by the local IACUC and also by the USAMRDC Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO).
31) How long can ACURO review take?
Applicants should anticipate a roughly three- to four-month timeline for ACURO review after submission of the necessary materials.
32) What does the program expect regarding rigor and reproducibility?
The program emphasizes rigor and reproducibility and references best practices such as randomization, blinding, sample-size estimation, and transparent data handling.
33) Is an Animal Research Plan required for animal studies?
Yes. Applicants using animal models must include an Animal Research Plan and are encouraged to align planning and reporting with ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines to support predictive value and translation.
34) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of organizations can apply, subject to any clarifications in the full announcement.
35) What types of funding instruments might be used?
Awards may be made as grants, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). The government selects the instrument based on the intended relationship and the level of agency involvement.
36) When are cooperative agreements versus grants typically used?
Cooperative agreements are used when substantial government involvement is expected, while grants are used when it is not.
37) When would a contract be used instead of a grant or cooperative agreement?
Contracts are used when the government is acquiring goods or services for its own direct use, as described in the announcement.
38) Why might an OTA be used for this program?
OTAs may be used to enable more flexible, industry-aligned collaboration models, attract nontraditional defense contractors, and speed development of dual-use technologies.
39) Who administers this opportunity and what is the CFDA number?
The Army contracting and assistance office (USAMRAA) administers the opportunity. Applications fall under CFDA 12.420.
40) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is W81XWH-22-S-DMRDP-BWMIR.
41) When was the opportunity posted and what were the key dates listed?
It was posted on September 21, 2022, with an original closing date of November 16, 2022, and planned awards by no later than September 30, 2023.
42) How many awards and how much funding were anticipated?
The program anticipated roughly 7 to 10 awards using an estimated combined pool of about $9.39 million in FY22 funds and $7.29 million in FY23 funds, with funding contingent on appropriations, application volume, scientific and programmatic merit, and government requirements.
43) Are intramural and extramural applications reviewed together?
Yes. Applications from extramural applicants and an intramural solicitation are reviewed together, and the government can choose any mix of internal and external projects for funding.
44) What operational factors should a proposed solution account for?
Proposals are encouraged to account for variable skill levels among providers (from medics to surgeons), constrained logistics, and environmental diversity such as temperature extremes, contamination risk, limited sterility, intermittent power, and evacuation delays.
45) What are the expectations around data and resource sharing?
The CDMRP states an intent for information, data, and research resources generated under funded awards to be made available to the broader research community and the public, consistent with program guidance. Teams should plan early for data management and dissemination, especially when generating clinically relevant datasets, protocols, or translational resources.
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