Opportunity Information: Apply for HT9425 23 PCRP PRA
The FY23 DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Physician Research Award is designed to give early-career physicians a structured, mentored runway into a long-term research career focused on prostate cancer. The award is built around the idea that physicians who are actively balancing patient care and clinical responsibilities often need protected time, strong mentorship, and a clear training plan to become productive investigators. In this mechanism, the physician being mentored is the Principal Investigator (PI) and is expected to take ownership of the application and the project, writing the submission with guidance from one or more mentors. The program weighs two things equally: the strength and rigor of the proposed research project, and the quality and credibility of the PI's career development plan toward independence in prostate cancer research.
Eligibility is tailored to physicians at a very specific career stage: applicants must have clinical duties and be either (1) in the final year of an accredited residency or fellowship at the time of the application deadline, or (2) within five years of starting a faculty appointment (including Instructor roles). A key point is that applicants do not need prior experience in prostate cancer research, but they do need to convincingly show commitment to becoming an investigator working at the intersection of research and clinical practice. Because the program is meant to make research time realistically possible for busy clinicians, applications are strongly encouraged to document at least 40 percent protected effort for prostate cancer research. That protected time does not have to be supported only by this specific award and can include time devoted to other prostate cancer research efforts, but the expectation is that the PI will have meaningful, sustained bandwidth to do the work and develop as a researcher.
Mentorship is not optional in this mechanism. Each application must include at least one designated mentor with an established prostate cancer research program, demonstrated through recent publications, current funding, and a track record of effective mentorship. Beyond credentials, the mentor is expected to show real commitment to advancing the PI's research career, not simply providing nominal supervision. The structure also anticipates that some projects will require resources or expertise outside the PI's home institution; when a collaborating institution is essential to success, the PI is encouraged to name a co-mentor at that partner site to strengthen training, oversight, and access to specialized infrastructure.
On the research side, proposed projects must address one or more FY23 PCRP Overarching Challenges, meaning the topic needs to map directly to program-defined priority problems in prostate cancer rather than being loosely related. Reviewers expect a well-justified scientific rationale, thoughtful experimental or analytical design, and a clear, feasible plan that shows how the aims can realistically be completed. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required, which makes the mechanism accessible to clinicians transitioning into the field; if preliminary results are included, they must come from the PI, the mentor(s), or collaborators. Applicants also need to clearly identify required resources and support access claims with documentation, such as letters confirming availability of datasets, specimens, core facilities, or other critical capabilities.
Human-subjects research is allowed, but the award draws a firm boundary around clinical trials. Studies may involve patient interaction, patient samples, and clinical data, including observational and patient-oriented work such as biomarker development, diagnostic approaches, mechanisms of disease in humans, health disparities, epidemiology, behavioral research, outcomes research, and health services research, as long as they do not prospectively assign participants to interventions to measure safety, efficacy, or effectiveness. Correlative studies linked to an existing clinical trial are particularly encouraged, provided they are determined to be no greater than minimal risk by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and by the USAMRDC human research oversight offices. In other words, you can leverage clinical trial contexts for samples or associated data analyses, but you cannot run a new intervention trial under this award.
A central required component is the individualized Researcher Development Plan. This is essentially the career blueprint, built with mentor input, that lays out how the PI will gain the skills and expertise needed to complete the project and transition toward independence in prostate cancer research. The application must describe an environment that supports both the science and the mentoring, and it can address gaps through formal collaborations if the home institution lacks certain resources. This makes the mechanism flexible for applicants who may have strong clinical environments but need external research mentorship, advanced analytics support, specialized model systems, or access to particular patient populations.
Impact is framed in mission-driven terms: the project should not only address one or more Overarching Challenges, but also have a credible path to reducing death and suffering from prostate cancer and improving well-being for Service members, Veterans, and all affected patients and families. To strengthen translational relevance and reproducibility, applicants are encouraged to incorporate practices like cell line authentication, statistical rigor in animal studies, and experiments that test clinical relevance and translatability. The program also signals strong interest in modern, data-intensive research using large patient datasets with long-term records, biospecimen repositories, and state-of-the-art genomic or proteomic methods, bioinformatics, or mathematical modeling. When a project depends on special datasets, cohorts, or platforms, the agency strongly encourages letters of support that explicitly confirm access and availability.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, awards are made as assistance agreements, meaning the DoD may issue either a grant or a cooperative agreement depending on how much substantial involvement the agency anticipates during performance. If no substantial involvement is expected, it proceeds as a grant; if the DoD expects active collaboration, participation, or intervention, it becomes a cooperative agreement, with those roles spelled out in the award. The anticipated budget is up to $750,000 in total direct costs across the full period of performance. Program leadership projected approximately $7.2 million total to fund about six awards, with final selections dependent on federal fund availability and application quality through scientific and programmatic review. Awards were expected to be made by September 30, 2024, and FY23 funds associated with awards are expected to remain available for use until September 30, 2029, consistent with fiscal-year funding rules.
Finally, the opportunity includes several compliance expectations that matter for planning timelines. Any DoD-funded research involving human data, specimens, or subjects must undergo an additional DoD-level administrative review through USAMRDC OHARO/OHRO before work can begin, on top of local IRB review, and applicants are advised to plan for up to about three months for that process after submitting complete documentation. For multi-site, non-exempt cooperative research in the U.S., a single-IRB plan is required, consistent with 45 CFR 46.114(b), and the application should identify the lead institution responsible for the master protocol and consent materials. If animals are involved, projects must also receive review through ACURO in addition to local IACUC approval, and applicants are advised to budget three to four months for that review. Across preclinical studies, the program emphasizes rigorous, reproducible design and reporting practices, pointing applicants to established standards such as randomization, blinding, sample-size justification, careful data handling, and ARRIVE guideline alignment.Apply for HT9425 23 PCRP PRA
- The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Prostate Cancer, Physician 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 Apr 03, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 24, 2023. (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 (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY23 DoD PCRP Physician Research Award (PRA) - FAQs
What is the FY23 DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Physician Research Award?
The Physician Research Award is a mentored funding mechanism intended to help early-career physicians build a long-term research career focused on prostate cancer. It is designed for clinicians who are balancing patient care with the need for protected time, structured mentorship, and a clear training plan to become productive, independent investigators.
What is the main purpose of this award?
The award is meant to provide a structured, mentored runway into independence in prostate cancer research. It supports both a rigorous research project and an individualized career development plan so that a physician can realistically develop as an investigator while continuing clinical responsibilities.
Who is the Principal Investigator (PI) under this mechanism?
The physician being mentored serves as the PI. The PI is expected to take ownership of the application and the project, including writing the submission, with guidance from one or more mentors.
How will applications be evaluated?
The program weighs two elements equally: (1) the strength and rigor of the proposed prostate cancer research project, and (2) the quality and credibility of the PI's career development plan toward independence in prostate cancer research.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is tailored to physicians with clinical duties who are at a specific early-career stage. Applicants must have clinical responsibilities and be either: (1) in the final year of an accredited residency or fellowship at the time of the application deadline, or (2) within five years of starting a faculty appointment (including Instructor roles).
Do applicants need prior prostate cancer research experience?
No. Prior experience in prostate cancer research is not required. However, applicants must convincingly demonstrate commitment to becoming an investigator working at the intersection of research and clinical practice in prostate cancer.
Is protected research time expected?
Yes. Applications are strongly encouraged to document at least 40% protected effort for prostate cancer research. This protected time does not have to be supported only by this award and can include time devoted to other prostate cancer research efforts, but the expectation is that the PI will have meaningful, sustained bandwidth to conduct the proposed work and develop as a researcher.
Does the protected effort have to be paid entirely by this award?
No. The protected effort can be supported by this award and/or other sources, as long as the application makes clear that the PI has sustained time available for prostate cancer research.
Is mentorship required?
Yes. Mentorship is mandatory. Each application must include at least one designated mentor with an established prostate cancer research program.
What qualifications are expected of the mentor?
The mentor is expected to have an established prostate cancer research program demonstrated through recent publications, current funding, and a record of effective mentorship. The mentor must also show genuine commitment to advancing the PI's research career (not just nominal supervision).
Can an application include more than one mentor?
Yes. The opportunity anticipates that one or more mentors may be involved, and the PI writes the application with guidance from the mentor(s).
When is a co-mentor at a collaborating institution encouraged?
If a collaborating institution is essential to project success (for example, due to specialized infrastructure, expertise, or resources outside the PI's home institution), the PI is encouraged to name a co-mentor at the partner site to strengthen training, oversight, and access to needed capabilities.
What kinds of research topics are allowed?
Proposed projects must address one or more FY23 PCRP Overarching Challenges. This means the project topic needs to map directly to the program-defined priority problems in prostate cancer, not just be loosely related to prostate cancer.
What do reviewers expect in the research plan?
Reviewers expect a well-justified scientific rationale, thoughtful experimental or analytical design, and a clear, feasible plan showing how the aims can realistically be completed.
Are preliminary data required?
No. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required. If preliminary results are included, they must come from the PI, the mentor(s), or collaborators.
What documentation is expected to prove access to required resources?
Applicants should clearly identify required resources and support any access claims with documentation, such as letters confirming availability of datasets, specimens, core facilities, or other critical capabilities. When projects rely on special datasets, cohorts, or platforms, letters of support explicitly confirming access and availability are strongly encouraged.
Is human-subjects research allowed?
Yes. Human-subjects research is allowed, including patient interaction, patient samples, and clinical data, as long as the work stays within the award's boundaries regarding clinical trials.
Are clinical trials allowed under this award?
No. The award draws a firm boundary around clinical trials. Studies cannot prospectively assign participants to interventions to measure safety, efficacy, or effectiveness. You may leverage clinical trial contexts for samples or associated data analyses, but you cannot run a new intervention trial under this award.
What types of patient-oriented or clinical research are permissible if they are not clinical trials?
The opportunity allows observational and patient-oriented work such as biomarker development, diagnostic approaches, mechanisms of disease in humans, health disparities research, epidemiology, behavioral research, outcomes research, and health services research, provided the study does not prospectively assign participants to interventions to measure safety, efficacy, or effectiveness.
Are correlative studies tied to existing clinical trials allowed?
Yes. Correlative studies linked to an existing clinical trial are particularly encouraged, provided they are determined to be no greater than minimal risk by the IRB and by the USAMRDC human research oversight offices.
What is the Researcher Development Plan and is it required?
The individualized Researcher Development Plan is required. It is a career blueprint developed with mentor input that explains how the PI will gain the skills and expertise needed to complete the project and transition toward independence in prostate cancer research.
What should the application say about the research environment?
The application must describe an environment that supports both the proposed science and the mentoring plan. If the home institution lacks certain resources, the application may address gaps through formal collaborations.
What kinds of gaps can collaborations help address?
Collaborations can be used to address missing resources or expertise, such as external research mentorship, advanced analytics support, specialized model systems, or access to particular patient populations.
How is "impact" defined for this opportunity?
Impact is mission-driven. The project should address an Overarching Challenge and have a credible path to reducing death and suffering from prostate cancer and improving well-being for Service members, Veterans, and all affected patients and families.
Are there recommended practices to improve translational relevance and reproducibility?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate practices such as cell line authentication, statistical rigor in animal studies, and experiments that test clinical relevance and translatability. The program also emphasizes rigorous design and reporting practices for preclinical studies, including randomization, blinding, sample-size justification, careful data handling, and alignment with ARRIVE guidelines.
Is data-intensive or "big data" research encouraged?
Yes. The program signals strong interest in modern, data-intensive research using large patient datasets with long-term records, biospecimen repositories, and state-of-the-art genomic or proteomic methods, bioinformatics, or mathematical modeling.
What type of award instrument will be used (grant vs cooperative agreement)?
Awards are made as assistance agreements. The DoD may issue either a grant or a cooperative agreement depending on how much substantial involvement the agency anticipates during performance. If no substantial involvement is expected, it proceeds as a grant. If the DoD expects active collaboration, participation, or intervention, it becomes a cooperative agreement with those roles specified in the award.
What is the maximum budget?
The anticipated budget is up to $750,000 in total direct costs across the full period of performance.
How many awards are expected?
Program leadership projected approximately $7.2 million total to fund about six awards, with final selections dependent on federal fund availability and application quality through scientific and programmatic review.
When were awards expected to be made?
Awards were expected to be made by September 30, 2024.
How long are FY23 funds expected to remain available for use?
FY23 funds associated with awards are expected to remain available for use until September 30, 2029, consistent with fiscal-year funding rules.
What additional approvals are required for DoD-funded human subjects or human data/specimen research?
Any DoD-funded research involving human data, specimens, or subjects must undergo an additional DoD-level administrative review through USAMRDC OHARO/OHRO before work can begin, in addition to local IRB review.
How long should applicants plan for the USAMRDC human research oversight review?
Applicants are advised to plan for up to about three months for the USAMRDC OHARO/OHRO process after submitting complete documentation.
Is a single-IRB plan required for multi-site U.S. studies?
Yes. For multi-site, non-exempt cooperative research in the U.S., a single-IRB plan is required consistent with 45 CFR 46.114(b). The application should identify the lead institution responsible for the master protocol and consent materials.
What additional approvals are required for animal research?
If animals are involved, projects must receive review through ACURO in addition to local IACUC approval.
How long should applicants plan for ACURO review for animal studies?
Applicants are advised to budget three to four months for ACURO review.
Can the project include human samples and clinical data without being a clinical trial?
Yes. The opportunity allows studies involving patient samples and clinical data, including observational and correlative studies, as long as the study does not prospectively assign participants to interventions to measure safety, efficacy, or effectiveness.
What should applicants do if their project depends on datasets, specimens, or specialized platforms?
Applicants should clearly identify what they need and provide documentation supporting access. Letters of support are strongly encouraged when access to special datasets, cohorts, biospecimen repositories, or platforms is essential to feasibility.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Impact Award
Previous opportunity: American Lobster Research Program 2023
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HT9425 23 PCRP PRA
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HT9425 23 PCRP PRA) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award Apply for HT9425 23 PCRP EHDA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PCRP EHDA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Early Investigator Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 PCRP EIRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PCRP EIRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Universal Access to Information and Communication Technology Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097 Funding Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Career Development Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP CDA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP CDA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Advancing Cancer Care through Clinical Trials Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP ACCCT Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP ACCCT Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Impact Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP IPA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP IPA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Idea Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP IA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP IA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Translational Team Science Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP TTSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP TTSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Patient Well-Being and Survivorship Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP PWSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP PWSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOE Traineeship in Accelerator Science & Technology Apply for DE FOA 0003025 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003025 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles Apply for 693JJ323NF00008 Funding Number: 693JJ323NF00008 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| DoD Tick-Borne Research Program Idea Development Award Apply for HT9425 23 TBDRP IDA Funding Number: HT9425 23 TBDRP IDA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Disability Statistics and Demographics Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTGE 0028 Funding Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTGE 0028 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| DoD Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 TBDRP TDRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 TBDRP TDRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interfacial Engineering Apply for PD 23 1417 Funding Number: PD 23 1417 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nanoscale Interactions Apply for PD 23 1179 Funding Number: PD 23 1179 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Sustainability Apply for PD 23 7643 Funding Number: PD 23 7643 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service Apply for 23 574 Funding Number: 23 574 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Standards Coordination Office Curricula Development Cooperative Agreement Program (SCO CD CAP) Apply for 2023 NIST SCOCD 01 Funding Number: 2023 NIST SCOCD 01 Agency: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II Apply for 2023 NIST SBIR 02 Funding Number: 2023 NIST SBIR 02 Agency: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HT9425 23 PCRP PRA", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.