The FY26 Lung Cancer Research Program Idea Development Award supports conceptually innovative research with the potential to generate critical discoveries, major advances, and new directions in lung cancer research.
Projects must present a well-formulated and testable hypothesis supported by preliminary data and a strong scientific rationale. The program includes separate application categories for established investigators and new investigators who are early in their independent faculty careers.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be independent investigators affiliated with an eligible organization.
- New Investigators must never have previously received a Lung Cancer Research Program Idea Development Award.
- Each investigator may serve as Principal Investigator on only one FY26 Lung Cancer Idea Development Award application.
- Eligible U.S. federal and Department of War organizations may also apply.
- There are no restrictions based on citizenship, nationality, or ethnicity.
- Preliminary data do not have to originate from lung cancer research but should come from the applicant’s laboratory or collaborating research team.
- Clinical research is permitted, but clinical trials are not allowed.
- Applications focused exclusively on mesothelioma are not eligible.
Funding Details:
- Each award may provide up to USD 800,000 in total costs.
- The maximum project period is three years.
- Approximately USD 6.4 million is expected to support around eight awards.
- Direct and indirect costs must be included within the USD 800,000 total-cost limit.
- Applicants may request the full maximum amount for projects lasting fewer than three years when appropriately justified.
- Clinical-trial expenses are not eligible.
Deadline:
- Required pre-application deadline: June 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Invitation to submit a full application: July 30, 2026.
- Invited full application deadline: September 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Application verification period ends: September 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Awards are expected to be issued no later than September 30, 2027.
Further Information:
- Eligible projects must address at least one FY26 area of emphasis: lung cancer biology and etiology; prevention and risk reduction; detection, diagnosis and surveillance; treatment and prognosis; or health outcomes and survivorship.
- Applications are evaluated for innovation, potential impact, research feasibility, investigator expertise, and relevance to the health of Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
- Invited full applications require a 10-page Project Narrative, technical and lay abstracts, Impact and Innovation Statements, Statement of Work, military-health relevance statement, budget, biosketches, current and pending support, and applicable research documentation.
- Official program information and application details: Visit the CDMRP funding opportunities page and search for Funding Opportunity Number HT942526LCRPIDA to access the application package, submission portals, General Application Instructions, and current program updates.
- Download the official program announcement: Download the FY26 Lung Cancer Idea Development Award PDF.