DoW Melanoma Research Program Team Science Award

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Melanoma Research Program (MRP) Team Science Award supports a broad range of hypothesis-driven, multidisciplinary studies that have a short-term goal of advancing the state of the science in melanoma research and/or patient care. Team science is a synergistic effort that harnesses techniques, approaches and perspectives from multiple disciplines and/or therapeutic areas to address complex, multi-dimensional problems that will impact patient outcomes.

Distinctive Features:

This funding mechanism requires multiple Principal Investigators (PIs). At least two and up to three PIs should partner to jointly design and execute a single research project; multi-institutional partnerships are encouraged. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s).

Consumer Collaboration Option: Investigators are encouraged, but not required, to form collaborative relationships with the melanoma consumer community to maximize the impact and translatability of the research for the benefit of the intended community(ies).

After submitting the required pre-application, investigators must receive an invitation to submit a full application.

Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application. All PIs must submit full applications. The Partnering PI(s)'s application is an abbreviated package specific to their proposed research effort.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs expects to allot roughly $18.9M to fund approximately nine Team Science Award applications with total cost caps of $2.1M per award. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032. Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/mrppreann