DoW Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3 | HT942526BCRPBTA3

FY26 Army BCRP Breakthrough Award Level 3 (HT942526BCRPBTA3) FAQs

What is the FY26 Department of the Army Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award Level 3?

It is a discretionary research grant mechanism under the Department of the Army BCRP designed to support ambitious, high-impact breast cancer research with a strong chance of producing a genuine breakthrough (not incremental progress). Level 3 is positioned to move promising concepts closer to real-world clinical use along the translational pipeline while still emphasizing innovation and breakthrough potential.

What kind of research is this award intended to support?

The program is seeking projects that can realistically change how breast cancer is understood, prevented, detected, or treated. The intent is for the proposed work to connect a major program challenge to a plausible path toward a meaningful advance with real impact.

Does my proposal have to address an FY26 BCRP overarching challenge?

Yes. Every application must directly address at least one FY26 BCRP overarching challenge. If a project does not align with one of those challenges, the applicant must provide a clear and convincing justification for why an exception is warranted.

What happens if my project does not align with an overarching challenge?

The opportunity summary states that an exception is only possible if the applicant provides a clear and convincing justification for why an exception is warranted. In general, applicants should expect alignment with at least one challenge to be central to competitiveness and compliance.

How does Level 3 fit within the overall Breakthrough Award structure?

FY26 Breakthrough Awards are organized into four funding levels, each tied to a different scope and stage of research on the road to clinical application. This opportunity announcement covers Level 3, described as supporting a distinct tranche of work along the translational pipeline intended to move promising concepts closer to clinical use.

Are clinical trials allowed under Breakthrough Award Level 3?

Yes. Level 3 allows small-scale clinical trials, but they are not required. Applicants may propose a preclinical or translational project without enrolling participants, or they may include a small clinical study if that is the most direct route to demonstrating impact.

If my project includes a clinical trial, how should it be submitted?

If the project includes a clinical trial component, the application must be submitted under the program's Clinical Trial option. This signals that the funder is prepared to review and manage the additional oversight and requirements associated with human subjects research.

Is a clinical trial required to be competitive for Level 3?

The summary explicitly states that small-scale clinical trials are allowed but not required. Competitiveness is framed around ambition, high impact, and breakthrough potential aligned to an overarching challenge, rather than being contingent on including a clinical trial.

What patient or public involvement is required?

The research team is required to include at least two breast cancer consumer advocates. This requirement reflects an intent for funded projects to remain grounded in patient priorities, real-world feasibility, and outcomes that matter to those affected by breast cancer.

Are consumer advocates intended to be token participants?

No. The summary indicates this is not meant to be a token role. Teams are expected to integrate advocates in a way that strengthens the science and relevance of the work and to plan for these roles early.

How many Principal Investigators (PIs) can lead an application?

Level 3 permits either a single PI model or a two-PI partnership model.

How does the two-PI partnering model work?

Under the partnering option, the two PIs are designated as an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. The process is staged: only the Initiating PI submits the pre-application, but at the full application stage both the Initiating PI and Partnering PI submissions are required.

What is the risk if a partnering PI misses a required submission?

The announcement is explicit that missing any required associated submission by the deadline can trigger administrative withdrawal. Coordination across both PIs (timelines, documents, and institutional approvals) is therefore essential when using the partnership structure.

Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), under the FY26 BCRP.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed in the summary is HT942526BCRPBTA3.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed in the summary is 12.420.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant organizations may be able to apply, subject to standard federal grant rules and any program-specific requirements described in the full announcement.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

The program anticipates making about two awards.

When is the application closing date?

The original closing date listed is September 30, 2026.

What is the maximum award amount (ceiling) for Breakthrough Award Level 3?

The award ceiling is not stated in the provided summary. Applicants would need to consult the full solicitation for the maximum funding level, budget structure, and any cost constraints specific to Breakthrough Award Level 3.

Where can applicants find the missing details such as budget limits and Level 3 specifics?

The summary indicates that applicants should consult the full solicitation for details not included here, including the maximum funding level, budget structure, cost constraints, and the full definitions that differentiate Level 3 from the other Breakthrough Award levels.