DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2

Background
The Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) aims to support innovative, high-impact research with the mission of ending breast cancer for Service Members, Veterans, and the general public.

The FY25 Breakthrough Award mechanism is designed to fund promising research that has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment and prevention. This program announcement specifically discusses Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2, which are intended to support major stages of research leading to clinical application.

Grant Details
The funding mechanism allows applications under Funding Level 1 or Funding Level 2.

Funding Level 1 supports innovative, high-risk/high-reward research in early stages without requiring preliminary data, aiming for proof of concept. Funding Level 2 requires substantial preliminary data validating clinical translation within the breast cancer landscape.

Additionally, Funding Level 2 includes a Population Science and Prevention Studies option that may request higher funding levels and an extended period of performance with compelling justification. Each application must address at least one of the FY25 BCRP overarching challenges, such as preventing breast cancer or distinguishing deadly from non-deadly cancers.

The maximum period of performance is three years for Levels 1 and 2, and four years for Level 2 - Population Science and Prevention Studies.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include both extramural and intramural organizations, including foreign and domestic entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Investigators at all academic levels can be named as Principal Investigators (PIs), with postdoctoral fellows encouraged to apply with a required Mentorship Statement.

Each investigator may only be named as a PI or Initiating PI on one application per funding level but can be a Partnering PI on multiple applications.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance is three years for Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2, while it extends to four years for Breakthrough Award Level 2 - Population Science and Prevention Studies.

Grant Value
The total funding available is approximately $15.65 million, with individual award caps set at $0.75 million (single PI) or $1.25 million (Partnering PI Option) for Funding Level 1; $1.65 million (single PI) or $2.5 million (Partnering PI Option) for Funding Level 2; and $2.5 million (single PI) or $3.35 million (Partnering PI Option) for Funding Level 2 - Population Science and Prevention Studies.