Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526DMDRPCTRA
The FY26 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) Clinical/Translational Research Award (CTRA) is a U.S. Department of Defense research grant opportunity administered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). Its purpose is to push Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) projects beyond early discovery and into later-stage translational work that can realistically move toward clinical use. In practical terms, the program is looking for advanced preclinical and/or clinical studies that take a promising therapeutic or intervention concept and generate the kind of evidence, validation, and development momentum needed to support clinical application. Proposed work must align with at least one of the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas, and the opportunity explicitly encourages studies aimed at therapies that can be effective across the lifespan rather than narrowly addressing a single disease stage or age group.
The award is structured with two funding levels to match different scopes of work. Funding Level 1 is designed for smaller, less complex projects that still qualify as preclinical and/or clinical translational research, while Funding Level 2 is intended for larger, more complex projects that may require broader study designs, more extensive datasets, multi-site coordination, or more substantial clinical translation activities. This two-tier structure is meant to accommodate both targeted studies that answer specific translational questions and more ambitious efforts that may be closer to, or directly involve, clinical testing and readiness.
A major feature of this opportunity is the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), which supports true collaboration between two investigators who jointly drive the project. The PPIO can be used in two distinct ways. The Early-Career Partnering PI category is geared toward an independent early-career investigator who is within 10 years of their first faculty appointment (or equivalent) at the time of application submission, allowing them to build a meaningful partnership while pursuing a substantial translational DMD effort. The Established Interdisciplinary Partnering PI category is for independent investigators at any career stage whose primary expertise is outside muscular dystrophy, with the goal of bringing high-value skills, methods, or perspectives into DMD research and supporting a transition into the field. This is essentially an on-ramp for established researchers in adjacent disciplines who can accelerate progress by applying their specialized knowledge to DMD problems.
From an evidence standpoint, the program requires preliminary data for all applications, signaling that proposals should not be purely exploratory or conceptual. Applicants are expected to show a credible foundation that de-risks the approach and supports feasibility. The opportunity also allows pilot clinical trials and clinical trial readiness studies, which can include work designed to refine endpoints, validate biomarkers, optimize protocols, assess feasibility and recruitment, or otherwise generate the information needed to responsibly advance drugs, devices, or other interventions into larger trials or regulatory-relevant development pathways.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning there are no applicant-type limitations stated in the provided synopsis. The funding opportunity number is HT942526DMDRPCTRA. The posting date (creation date) is June 17, 2026, and the original closing date is September 18, 2026. The agency anticipates making about six awards. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided details, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits tied to Funding Level 1 versus Funding Level 2 and any additional requirements linked to partnering applications.Apply for HT942526DMDRPCTRA
- The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Clinical/Translational 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 2026-06-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-18. (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 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FY26 DMDRP Clinical/Translational Research Award (CTRA) FAQs
What is the FY26 DMDRP Clinical/Translational Research Award (CTRA)?
The FY26 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) Clinical/Translational Research Award (CTRA) is a U.S. Department of Defense research grant opportunity administered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). It supports Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) projects that are ready to move beyond early discovery and into later-stage translational work with a realistic path toward clinical use.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The purpose is to advance promising DMD therapies or intervention concepts by generating evidence and development momentum needed to support clinical application. The program is looking for advanced preclinical and/or clinical studies that strengthen validation, feasibility, and readiness for clinical translation.
What kinds of studies is the program looking for?
The program is focused on advanced preclinical and/or clinical translational research. This includes projects that take a therapeutic or intervention concept and produce the kind of validation and supporting data needed to move toward clinical testing or clinical use.
Do proposed projects have to fit specific program priorities?
Yes. Proposed work must align with at least one of the FY26 CTRA Focus Areas. The specific Focus Areas are not listed in the provided synopsis, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement to confirm alignment.
Does the program encourage any particular clinical perspective (age, disease stage, etc.)?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly encourages studies aimed at therapies that can be effective across the lifespan, rather than being narrowly limited to a single disease stage or age group.
How is the award funding structured?
The award has two funding levels. Funding Level 1 is for smaller, less complex projects that still qualify as preclinical and/or clinical translational research. Funding Level 2 is for larger, more complex projects that may require broader study designs, larger datasets, multi-site coordination, or more substantial clinical translation activities.
What is the difference between Funding Level 1 and Funding Level 2?
Funding Level 1 is intended for targeted, smaller-scope translational efforts. Funding Level 2 is intended for more ambitious work that may be closer to, or directly involve, clinical testing and readiness, and may require more extensive coordination and resources.
Is the award ceiling (maximum budget) provided?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided details. Applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits associated with Funding Level 1 versus Funding Level 2 and for any additional budget rules that may apply.
Are preliminary data required?
Yes. Preliminary data are required for all applications. This signals that proposals should not be purely exploratory or conceptual and should demonstrate a credible foundation supporting feasibility and reducing risk.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
The opportunity allows pilot clinical trials and clinical trial readiness studies. The synopsis describes these as activities that help responsibly advance drugs, devices, or other interventions toward larger trials or regulatory-relevant development pathways.
What are examples of clinical trial readiness activities mentioned?
Examples listed include refining endpoints, validating biomarkers, optimizing protocols, assessing feasibility and recruitment, or generating other information needed to responsibly move an intervention forward.
What is the Partnering PI Option (PPIO)?
The Partnering PI Option (PPIO) is a key feature of this opportunity that supports true collaboration between two investigators who jointly drive the project. It is designed to enable paired leadership and meaningful partnership rather than a single-PI model.
What are the two PPIO categories described?
The two PPIO categories are: (1) Early-Career Partnering PI and (2) Established Interdisciplinary Partnering PI. Each category is intended to support a different kind of collaborative pairing.
Who qualifies for the Early-Career Partnering PI category?
This category is geared toward an independent early-career investigator who is within 10 years of their first faculty appointment (or equivalent) at the time of application submission, and who is pursuing a substantial translational DMD effort while building a meaningful partnership.
Who qualifies for the Established Interdisciplinary Partnering PI category?
This category is for independent investigators at any career stage whose primary expertise is outside muscular dystrophy. The goal is to bring high-value skills, methods, or perspectives into DMD research and support a transition into the DMD field.
What is the goal of bringing in established researchers from outside muscular dystrophy?
The synopsis describes this as an on-ramp for established researchers in adjacent disciplines to apply specialized knowledge to DMD problems, potentially accelerating progress by introducing valuable methods or perspectives.
Is eligibility limited to specific institution types or applicant categories?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the provided synopsis, meaning no applicant-type limitations are stated there. Applicants should still review the full announcement for any additional conditions not captured in the synopsis.
What agency is offering and administering this award?
The award is a U.S. Department of Defense opportunity administered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA).
What is the CFDA number and category for this grant?
The program is listed as a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category with CFDA 12.420.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HT942526DMDRPCTRA.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting (creation) date listed is June 17, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date is September 18, 2026.
How many awards does the agency anticipate making?
The agency anticipates making about six awards.
Where can applicants find budget limits and other requirements not included in the synopsis?
Because the synopsis does not provide the award ceiling or detailed budget rules, applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits tied to Funding Level 1 versus Funding Level 2 and for any additional requirements linked to partnering applications.
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