Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526ERPIDA
The FY26 Department of Defense Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Idea Development Award (IDA) is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HT942526ERPIDA) administered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) to support new, high-impact research ideas focused on post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). The central goal is to fund novel studies that can meaningfully improve understanding of PTE and related comorbidities, with an emphasis on work that could ultimately improve quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, and/or their care partners. The program is clearly positioned to push the field forward by encouraging innovative concepts rather than incremental advances.
A defining feature of this award is its strong preference for creativity and paradigm-challenging approaches. Proposed projects are expected to introduce a genuinely new research direction for the investigator, not simply build on the applicant's existing, established line of work. In other words, the IDA is not meant to fund extensions of already published findings, routine follow-on aims, or efforts that mainly scale up work that is already well-developed in the principal investigator's laboratory. Instead, the award is aimed at early-stage, idea-driven research that opens fresh pathways toward understanding and addressing PTE and its associated health impacts.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, and the award is open to investigators at all career stages, which means early-career, mid-career, and established researchers can all apply as long as they can make a strong case that the project represents a new and innovative direction. One notable rule change for FY26 is that an investigator can be named as the principal investigator on only one FY26 ERP IDA application, limiting applicants to a single PI submission under this mechanism for this fiscal year.
From an administrative and timing standpoint, this is a grant mechanism within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, associated with CFDA number 12.420. The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026, and the original closing date is August 17, 2026. The notice anticipates making about two awards. The public listing does not provide the award ceiling amount in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement package for budget limits, allowable costs, project period, and any specific formatting or submission requirements.
Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as a catalyst program: it is designed to back bold, non-routine research ideas that could reshape how PTE and its comorbidities are studied and ultimately managed, with particular relevance to the military and Veteran communities and the people who support their care.Apply for HT942526ERPIDA
- 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 Epilepsy Idea Development 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 2026-08-17. (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 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is the FY26 Department of Defense Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Idea Development Award (IDA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HT942526ERPIDA.
Who is administering this grant opportunity?
It is administered by the Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA).
What type of grant is the Idea Development Award (IDA)?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity under the Department of Defense Epilepsy Research Program (ERP).
What is the main research focus area for this award?
The award supports new, high-impact research ideas focused on post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE).
What is the central goal of the FY26 ERP IDA?
The central goal is to fund novel studies that can meaningfully improve understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and related comorbidities, with an emphasis on work that could ultimately improve quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, and/or their care partners.
Does this program prioritize innovation over incremental research?
Yes. A defining feature of the award is its strong preference for creativity and paradigm-challenging approaches, with the program positioned to push the field forward by encouraging innovative concepts rather than incremental advances.
What does the program mean by "idea development" in this context?
Based on the description, it refers to early-stage, idea-driven research intended to open fresh pathways toward understanding and addressing PTE and its associated health impacts, rather than routine extensions of existing work.
Are projects expected to be new research directions for the investigator?
Yes. Proposed projects are expected to introduce a genuinely new research direction for the investigator, not simply build on the applicant's existing, established line of work.
What kinds of projects are not a good fit for the FY26 ERP IDA?
The IDA is not meant to fund extensions of already published findings, routine follow-on aims, or efforts that mainly scale up work that is already well-developed in the principal investigator's laboratory.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted.
Are investigators at all career stages allowed to apply?
Yes. The opportunity is open to investigators at all career stages, including early-career, mid-career, and established researchers.
If eligibility is unrestricted, is there still an expectation for how applicants position their project?
Yes. Even though eligibility is unrestricted, applicants are expected to make a strong case that the project represents a new and innovative direction.
Is there a limit on how many applications an investigator can submit as Principal Investigator (PI)?
Yes. A rule change for FY26 states that an investigator can be named as the principal investigator on only one FY26 ERP IDA application.
What is the category associated with this grant mechanism?
From an administrative standpoint, this mechanism is within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 12.420.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026.
What is the application closing date?
The original closing date is August 17, 2026.
How many awards does the notice anticipate making?
The notice anticipates making about two awards.
Is the maximum award amount (ceiling) provided in the listing?
No. The public listing text provided does not include the award ceiling amount.
Where should applicants look for budget limits, allowable costs, and project period details?
Applicants would need to consult the full announcement package for budget limits, allowable costs, project period, and any specific formatting or submission requirements.
Who is the intended beneficiary population for the research impact?
The opportunity emphasizes work that could ultimately improve quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, and/or their care partners.
How is this funding opportunity best described overall?
It is best understood as a catalyst program designed to back bold, non-routine research ideas that could reshape how PTE and its comorbidities are studied and ultimately managed, with particular relevance to military and Veteran communities and those supporting their care.
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| DoW Epilepsy Leveraging Research Award Apply for HT942526ERPLRA Funding Number: HT942526ERPLRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award Apply for HT942526ERPVPTERCL Funding Number: HT942526ERPVPTERCL Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Orthopaedic, Clinical Research Award Apply for HT942526ORPCRA Funding Number: HT942526ORPCRA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Epilepsy Research Partnership Award Apply for HT942526ERPRPA Funding Number: HT942526ERPRPA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Orthopaedic, Applied Research Award Apply for HT942526ORPARA Funding Number: HT942526ORPARA Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Faculty Award Apply for HT942526ERPVPTERCF Funding Number: HT942526ERPVPTERCF Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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