DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3 | W81XWH 21 BCRP BTA3

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 21 BCRP BTA3

The DoD Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award Level 3 (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH-21-BCRP-BTA3) is designed to push breast cancer research past incremental gains and into work that has a real chance of changing the field. The central expectation is impact: proposed projects need to credibly aim for a breakthrough that could accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer, either in the near term or over a longer horizon, but in a way that clearly goes beyond a minor improvement. Applicants are expected to be specific about who benefits, identifying the breast cancer patient group(s) or at-risk individuals who would ultimately be helped if the research succeeds, and making a strong case that the outcome could become a fundamentally better approach than what is already approved or currently being tested clinically.

Level 3 focuses on advanced translational studies that are close to clinical use and show a high degree of readiness. This is not meant for early discovery work; it is aimed at projects that have progressed far enough that the next logical steps involve translational validation and preparation for clinical investigation. A key feature of this level is the expectation that the applicant can demonstrate access to what is needed to execute the work without speculative gaps. Where relevant, the application must include proof of availability and access to essential inputs such as datasets, human biospecimens, patient cohorts, and other critical reagents. If the work is likely to require U.S. Food and Drug Administration involvement at later stages, the application must also show that the team has access to the necessary clinical-grade reagents (for example, therapeutic molecules) and the patient population(s) needed to move forward. The proposal must lay out a realistic timeline that points toward near-term clinical investigation, and small-scale clinical trials such as first-in-human or Phase I/Ib studies may fit within the intended scope.

A major structural option in this opportunity is the Partnering PI Option, which is meant to support genuine, two-investigator collaborations rather than a simple division of labor. Under this model, an Initiating PI handles most submission and administrative responsibilities, while a Partnering PI contributes equally to the intellectual leadership of the project. The application should show that both PIs bring distinct, necessary expertise, that both had meaningful input into the project design and Statement of Work, and that their effort levels are similar and appropriate. Budgets are expected to be balanced between the two investigators unless there is a clear and well-justified reason otherwise. The program encourages new partnerships but does not require them, and it discourages arrangements where one PI primarily supplies materials (samples, animal models, investigational agents) while the other PI conducts most of the scientific work, since that does not reflect the intended collaborative structure. If selected for funding, each PI is named on an individual award within the recipient organization.

The solicitation also emphasizes team strength and stakeholder integration. Applications are expected to propose a robust research team with the combined expertise needed to successfully deliver an advanced translational project in breast cancer. In addition, consumer advocate involvement is required and is treated as a core element rather than a formality. Each project must include at least two breast cancer consumer advocates who are integrated throughout planning and implementation, including shaping the research question, contributing to project design, supporting oversight, advising on recruitment, and participating in evaluation and other major project activities. These interactions should be ongoing and well integrated, not limited to occasional meetings. The consumer advocates must be breast cancer survivors (diagnosed individuals), active in a breast cancer advocacy organization, independent in their project role, and not employees of any participating organization. The intent is for them to provide objective, patient-centered input on relevance, feasibility, and real-world impact, supported by a strong understanding of current breast cancer issues and sufficient familiarity with research to contribute meaningfully.

From an administrative and funding snapshot perspective, this is a discretionary Department of Defense opportunity managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), using grant and/or cooperative agreement mechanisms under CFDA 12.420. Eligibility is broadly open (unrestricted by entity type, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement). The opportunity was posted January 6, 2021, with an original closing date of June 23, 2021, and it indicated an expectation of approximately three awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically signals that applicants need to rely on the program announcement for the specific funding limits and level-based caps, rather than treating the database field as a meaningful maximum.

• 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 Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3" 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 Jan 06, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 23, 2021. (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 (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W81XWH 21 BCRP BTA3

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