DoW Multiple Sclerosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award

Background
The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). It aims to support high-impact research projects that contribute significantly to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research, patient care, and quality of life. The MSRP was initiated by Congress in 2009, with a vision to prevent, cure, reverse, or slow the progression of MS. The program seeks innovative concepts and high-impact research relevant to the prevention, etiology, pathogenesis, assessment, treatment, and ultimate cure of MS for the benefit of Service Members, Veterans, and the American public.

Grant Details
The MSRP IIRA supports rigorous research projects that may focus on any phase of research excluding clinical trials. Applications must address at least one of the FY26 MSRP IIRA focus areas: Central Nervous System Repair; Correlates of Disease Activity and Progression in MS; Biology and Measurement of MS Symptoms; Mechanisms Contributing to MS Etiology; among others. Each application must include preliminary or published data relevant to MS. The funding mechanism includes two options: Established Investigator or New Investigator. The maximum funding amount is $1.0M per award with a total allotment of approximately $6.0M expected for about six awards. The maximum period of performance is three years.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War organizations, including foreign and domestic organizations, for-profit and nonprofit entities. Principal Investigators can choose between Established Investigator or New Investigator options based on their experience level. New Investigators must be within five years from starting their non-mentored position and have not received more than $300,000 in total direct costs for previous or concurrent MS research as a PI.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance for funded projects is three years.

Grant Value
The total value allocated for this grant opportunity is approximately $6.0M with individual awards capped at $1.0M.

Place of Performance
Research must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public.