DoW Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2
The FY26 DoD Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 funds high-impact breast cancer research aimed at major advances toward clinical application, including an optional population science studies track at Level 2.
⚑ Two submission modes: single PI or two partnering PIs (Initiating PI and Partnering PI); in the partnering PI option, only the Initiating PI submits the pre-application but both PIs must submit at full application stage. · All applications must address at least one FY26 BCRP overarching challenge or justify an exception. · Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 only; Level 2 includes a Population Science Studies option and may request higher funding/additional year with compelling justification. · Administrative withdrawal possible if all required partnering-PI submissions are not received by deadline.
This is a breast cancer biomedical/clinical research program, which is far outside IPPRA’s core social-behavioral portfolio. Even the Population Science option is cancer-disease focused rather than the team’s usual risk, warning, energy, or education policy lines, so it would not plausibly be pursued as PI-level work here.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-09-04
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 70 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | peripheral portfolio topic: public_health; signature methods: surveys longitudinal, community engaged; social/behavioral work is substantial; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped); clinical-trial/biomedical core — IPPRA angle is policy/community (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | funds applied research; deep-tech content |
Description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award mechanism supports promising research with high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 BCRP overarching challenges or provide adequate justification for exception. Applications must address the challenge in a way that can lead to a breakthrough and have major impact. The FY26 Breakthrough Award mechanism contains four different funding levels designed to support major (but not all) stages of research that will lead to clinical application. Each level specifies a distinct research scope. This program announcement discusses the Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2.
Distinctive Features:
* This funding mechanism allows for applications submitted under Funding Level 1 or Funding Level 2. Funding Level 2 also includes a Population Science Studies option. With compelling justification, population science studies may request higher levels of funding and an additional year in the period of performance.
* This funding mechanism allows for a single Principal Investigator (PI), or two partnering PIs referred to as the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI. For the Partnering PI Option (PPIO), only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. Be advised, failure to submit all associated (Initiating and Partnering PI) applications by the deadline may result in administrative withdrawal.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Danielle Reckley Grantor <help@eBRAP.org>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.