DoW Bone Marrow Failure, Investigator-Initiated Research Award | HT942526BMFRPIIRA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Bone Marrow Failure (BMF) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The Department of Defense Bone Marrow Failure (BMF) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). It is intended to push forward well-developed, mature research ideas in bone marrow failure (BMF), especially projects positioned to produce meaningful advances in BMF research and/or improvements in patient care.

Who administers this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is administered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) under the Department of Defense (DoD).

What is the main purpose of this award?

The program is designed to support projects that build on strong prior findings, expand key discoveries, and are positioned to deliver meaningful advances in bone marrow failure research and/or patient care. A central expectation is that the work is not exploratory and is supported by preliminary data that directly supports the rationale and feasibility.

Is exploratory or early-stage research appropriate for this mechanism?

No. The announcement emphasizes that proposed work should not be exploratory in nature. Projects are expected to be grounded in preliminary data that directly supports both the project rationale and feasibility.

What research area must the project focus on?

Projects must stay focused on bone marrow failure (BMF) and should have clear potential impact. Within that BMF focus, the scope of supported research is described as broad.

What types of studies are allowed under this award?

The award supports translational or clinically oriented studies, including work in relevant preclinical models, studies using human data, studies using human anatomical substances (such as biospecimens), and research involving human subjects.

Are studies using human subjects allowed?

Yes. Research involving human subjects is explicitly included as an allowable study type under this mechanism.

Are studies using human data or biospecimens allowed?

Yes. The opportunity allows studies using human data as well as human anatomical substances, such as biospecimens.

Are preclinical models allowed?

Yes. The scope includes work in relevant preclinical models, as long as it remains focused on BMF and is positioned for meaningful impact.

Does this award support correlative studies connected to clinical trials?

Yes. The mechanism allows correlative studies tied to clinical trials, such as analyses of biomarkers or immune profiles connected to an ongoing or completed clinical trial.

Does this award fund clinical trials?

No. While clinical research is allowed, the award does not fund clinical trials themselves. Applicants cannot propose an interventional clinical trial as the primary activity under this mechanism.

Can a project include IND-enabling activities?

Yes. The opportunity highlights support for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling efforts that help move a therapeutic concept toward clinical readiness without running a clinical trial.

What examples of IND-enabling work are specifically mentioned?

Examples listed include lead compound characterization and a range of preclinical development studies, such as formulation and stability testing, absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion (ADME) assessments, dose-response studies, and toxicology work.

Is this mechanism intended to help bridge discovery to clinical translation?

Yes. By explicitly calling out IND-enabling efforts and other preclinical development studies, the opportunity signals interest in generating the kinds of data typically expected before human testing can proceed.

Can the project involve more than one Principal Investigator (PI)?

Yes. The mechanism allows an initiating Principal Investigator to partner with a second (partnering) Principal Investigator as a collaboration option.

How does the initiating and partnering PI submission process work?

Only the initiating PI submits the pre-application. If the project is invited to proceed, both investigators submit full applications. The partnering PI submits an abbreviated full-application package focused on their distinct component of the overall research plan.

What is meant by the partnering PI submitting an "abbreviated" full application?

Based on the opportunity description, the partnering PI provides a shorter full-application package that is focused on their specific and distinct part of the overall research plan, while the initiating PI submits the main full application for the project.

What happens if one of the linked applications is rejected or withdrawn?

The linked applications rise and fall together. If the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn, all associated applications for that project may be withdrawn as well.

Why is coordination between partners emphasized?

Because the applications are linked and may be withdrawn together if one is rejected or administratively withdrawn, coordination is essential both scientifically and administratively.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity lists eligible applicants as unrestricted.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development and is listed as CFDA 12.420.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HT942526BMFRPIIRA.

What is the application deadline (closing date)?

The original closing date is listed as 2026-11-04.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The posting indicates an expected number of awards of 1.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is not specified in the provided details.

When was this opportunity created/posted?

The opportunity was created on 2026-06-17.