Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526TERPIIRA
The FY 2026 DoD Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). It is designed to fund investigator-driven studies that meaningfully advance scientific understanding and/or improve patient care for diseases and health conditions linked to military-related toxic exposures. In practical terms, the program is looking for strong, clearly justified research ideas that connect military exposure concerns to measurable biological mechanisms, clinical outcomes, or actionable steps that could eventually benefit service members, veterans, and other affected populations.
This award is intentionally broad in the types of research it supports, allowing applicants to propose projects across the full research pipeline. That includes basic laboratory work aimed at uncovering foundational disease processes, translational research that bridges lab findings into clinically relevant insights, and preclinical studies using animal models when appropriate. The scope also explicitly allows human subjects research, which can include observational studies, biomarker investigations, or other clinical research approaches, as long as the work is grounded in the program focus on toxic exposure-related disease and conditions. Another permitted pathway is correlative research tied to an existing clinical trial, meaning applicants can propose studies that add value to ongoing trials by analyzing samples or data to clarify mechanisms, identify predictors of response, or refine understanding of exposure-related risk. The opportunity also notes that New Approach Methodologies may be used, signaling openness to newer experimental or analytical strategies (for example, modern multi-omics, advanced exposure assessment techniques, computational approaches, or innovative model systems) when they are credible and well matched to the research question.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding opportunity number is HT942526TERPIIRA and it is categorized as a grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally means there is no applicant-type limitation stated at the preannouncement level, though applicants would still need to follow all requirements in the full funding announcement when released (for example, compliance, assurances, and any program-specific constraints). The posting indicates an anticipated total of three awards, suggesting a competitive selection environment where proposals will likely need a compelling rationale, strong scientific design, and a clear line of sight to impact on toxic exposure-related health outcomes. The original closing date is listed as November 19, 2026. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided data, which typically means applicants must consult the full announcement or associated guidance once available to confirm budget limits, performance period expectations, and any cost restrictions.
Overall, the TERP IIRA is aimed at high-impact, investigator-initiated research that can clarify how military-related toxic exposures contribute to disease or can improve the way exposure-associated conditions are prevented, detected, stratified, or treated. The core theme is significance and contribution: the project should be framed around a real toxic exposure-related health problem in the military context, use appropriate methods across basic to clinical research, and be positioned to generate findings that matter for research progress and/or patient care. More details are referenced in the program preannouncement page: https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/terppreann.Apply for HT942526TERPIIRA
- The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Toxic Exposures Investigator Initiated 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 2026-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-19. (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 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: FY 2026 DoD Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)
What is the FY 2026 TERP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?
The FY 2026 DoD Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA). It supports investigator-driven studies that advance scientific understanding and/or improve patient care for diseases and health conditions linked to military-related toxic exposures.
What is the main goal of this award?
The main goal is to fund high-impact research that connects military-related toxic exposure concerns to measurable biological mechanisms, clinical outcomes, or actionable steps that could ultimately benefit service members, veterans, and other affected populations.
What kinds of research projects are supported?
The award is intentionally broad and supports projects across the full research pipeline, including basic laboratory research, translational research, and preclinical studies (including animal models when appropriate). Human subjects research is also allowed when aligned to toxic exposure-related diseases and conditions.
Is basic laboratory research allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. Basic laboratory work aimed at uncovering foundational disease processes related to military-related toxic exposures is within scope.
Does the program support translational research?
Yes. Translational research that bridges laboratory findings into clinically relevant insights is explicitly within scope.
Are preclinical animal studies permitted?
Yes. Preclinical studies using animal models are permitted when appropriate to the research question and aligned with the program focus.
Is human subjects research allowed?
Yes. Human subjects research is allowed and may include observational studies, biomarker investigations, or other clinical research approaches, as long as the work is grounded in toxic exposure-related diseases and conditions in a military context.
Can applicants propose studies connected to an existing clinical trial?
Yes. Correlative research tied to an existing clinical trial is permitted, such as analyses of samples or data that clarify mechanisms, identify predictors of response, or refine understanding of exposure-related risk.
What are "New Approach Methodologies," and are they allowed?
The opportunity notes that New Approach Methodologies may be used, indicating openness to newer experimental or analytical strategies. Examples mentioned include modern multi-omics, advanced exposure assessment techniques, computational approaches, or innovative model systems, when credible and well matched to the research question.
What topic area should the project focus on?
Projects should focus on diseases and health conditions linked to military-related toxic exposures, with an emphasis on significance and contribution to scientific progress and/or patient care.
What makes a competitive application, based on the preannouncement description?
Based on the information provided, competitive proposals will likely have a strong and clearly justified research idea, a compelling rationale tied to military exposure concerns, a solid scientific design, and a clear line of sight to impact on toxic exposure-related health outcomes.
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
This grant opportunity is offered through the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) under the Department of Defense Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HT942526TERPIIRA.
What is the CFDA number and activity area listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under CFDA 12.420 and listed in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the provided information, meaning no applicant-type limitation is stated at the preannouncement level. Applicants would still need to follow all requirements in the full funding announcement when released (including compliance, assurances, and any program-specific constraints).
How many awards are expected to be made?
The posting indicates an anticipated total of three awards.
When is the closing date?
The original closing date is listed as November 19, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the provided information. Applicants will likely need to consult the full funding announcement or associated guidance once available to confirm budget limits, performance period expectations, and any cost restrictions.
Where can applicants find the referenced preannouncement information?
More details are referenced in the program preannouncement page: https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/terppreann.
What is the overarching theme emphasized by the program?
The core theme is significance and contribution: the project should be framed around a real toxic exposure-related health problem in the military context, use appropriate methods across basic to clinical research, and be positioned to generate findings that matter for research progress and/or patient care.
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