Grant opportunity
FY 2026 PRMRP Discovery Award
The Discovery Award backs exploratory, high-risk and potentially high-impact medical research ideas without requiring preliminary data.
- Funder
- U.S. Department of Defense - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Applications close 30 July 2026
- Applications close 30 July 2026: Jul 30, 2026
- Award
- Up to USD 385,000 over two years; approximately USD 11.165 million total
- Applicant
- Eligible investigators proposing innovative, high-risk research in a designated PRMRP topic area; preliminary data are not required.
- Discipline
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Region
- United States
- Posted
- Jul 30, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The Discovery Award backs exploratory, high-risk and potentially high-impact medical research ideas without requiring preliminary data.
Who can apply
Eligible investigators proposing innovative, high-risk research in a designated PRMRP topic area; preliminary data are not required.
What it supports
- Exploratory biomedical research.
- High-risk, high-reward ideas.
- PRMRP-designated research topics.
Funding and duration
- About 29 awards are anticipated.
- Direct costs may reach USD 385,000 over two years.
Applications close 30 July 2026
Applications close 30 July 2026: Jul 30, 2026
How to apply
Follow the official federal notice for the pre-application and full-application process.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Discovery Award backs exploratory, high-risk and potentially high-impact medical research ideas without requiring preliminary data. The award creates an entry point for unconventional early-stage concepts. Applicants should use the official call page for the final rules, required documents, eligible costs and submission route.
Eligibility
Eligible investigators proposing innovative, high-risk research in a designated PRMRP topic area; preliminary data are not required.
Funding and benefits
About 29 awards are anticipated.
Direct costs may reach USD 385,000 over two years.
Themes and supported activities
Exploratory biomedical research.
High-risk, high-reward ideas.
PRMRP-designated research topics.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 30 July 2026: Applications close 30 July 2026: Jul 30, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Follow the official federal notice for the pre-application and full-application process.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.