Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 21 RCRP CA
The Department of Defense (DoD), through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), offered the FY21 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award to fund bold, early-stage ideas in rare cancer research. This opportunity is designed for projects that are genuinely new and exploratory rather than the next incremental step of an established research line. The central goal is to encourage investigators to test highly innovative, unproven concepts, including ideas that arise from unexpected findings or serendipitous observations, with the hope of opening entirely new directions for the field.
A key feature of the Concept Award is that preliminary data are not required, which signals that the program is intentionally making room for high-risk, high-reward research that might struggle to compete in more traditional funding mechanisms. Applicants are expected to clearly explain what makes the idea novel, why it is potentially groundbreaking for rare cancers, and how it could meaningfully expand current scientific understanding. In other words, the proposal should make the case that the work could change how researchers think about a rare cancer problem, introduce a fresh investigative approach, or create a new research pathway that did not previously exist.
This award supports research and development activity (Science and Technology and other R&D) and is associated with CFDA 12.420. Funding may be provided through either a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning that depending on the specific award structure, there may be varying levels of DoD involvement or oversight during the project. The eligibility listing is broad and described as unrestricted, indicating that it is open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.
From a practical standpoint, the Concept Award is positioned as a launching pad: the work funded here is intended to generate enough insight, feasibility evidence, or early results to support a stronger follow-on application for future research funding. The DoD anticipated making around 20 awards under this opportunity. The funding opportunity was posted May 18, 2021, under the opportunity number W81XWH 21 RCRP CA, with an original application deadline of August 13, 2021. The listed award ceiling is shown as 0 in the provided data, which often indicates that the maximum award amount is not captured in that specific field and would need to be confirmed in the full program announcement or related budget guidance.Apply for W81XWH 21 RCRP CA
- 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 Rare Cancers Concept 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 May 18, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 13, 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 20 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.
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FY21 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award (W81XWH 21 RCRP CA) - FAQs
What is the FY21 RCRP Concept Award?
The FY21 Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP) Concept Award is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity, administered through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), intended to support bold, early-stage ideas in rare cancer research. It is meant for genuinely new and exploratory projects rather than incremental extensions of established research lines.
What is the main goal of this Concept Award?
The main goal is to encourage investigators to test highly innovative, unproven concepts in rare cancer research, including concepts that come from unexpected findings or serendipitous observations, with the intent of opening entirely new research directions for the field.
What type of research is this opportunity trying to fund?
This opportunity is designed for high-risk, high-reward research that is novel and exploratory. The program emphasizes ideas that could change how researchers think about a rare cancer problem, introduce a fresh investigative approach, or create a new research pathway that did not previously exist.
Are preliminary data required to apply?
No. A key feature of the Concept Award is that preliminary data are not required, reflecting the program's intent to create space for innovative ideas that may not yet have supporting data.
How should an applicant justify that their idea fits a "concept award"?
Applicants are expected to clearly explain what makes the idea novel, why it is potentially groundbreaking for rare cancers, and how it could meaningfully expand current scientific understanding. The proposal should make a strong case that the work is not simply the next step in an established line of research.
Can the project be based on an unexpected or serendipitous finding?
Yes. The program explicitly notes that it welcomes highly innovative concepts, including those that arise from unexpected findings or serendipitous observations.
What kind of activity does the Concept Award support?
The award supports research and development activity, described as Science and Technology and other R&D.
Which federal assistance listing (CFDA) is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.420.
What funding instruments might be used for awards under this opportunity?
Funding may be provided through either a grant or a cooperative agreement. This means the award structure can vary, including the level of DoD involvement or oversight during the project.
Does a cooperative agreement mean the DoD may be more involved?
Potentially, yes. Because the opportunity notes that awards may be grants or cooperative agreements, the level of DoD involvement or oversight may vary depending on which instrument is used.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility listing is described as broad and "unrestricted," indicating it is open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications provided in the full announcement.
Is this award intended to support follow-on funding applications?
Yes. The Concept Award is positioned as a launching pad, with the intention that funded work generates enough insight, feasibility evidence, or early results to support a stronger follow-on application for future research funding.
How many awards did the DoD anticipate making?
The DoD anticipated making approximately 20 awards under this opportunity.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 18, 2021.
What is the opportunity number for this Concept Award?
The opportunity number is W81XWH 21 RCRP CA.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline listed for this opportunity was August 13, 2021.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
The provided data show the award ceiling as 0. This often indicates that the maximum award amount is not captured in that specific field and would need to be confirmed in the full program announcement or related budget guidance.
Does an award ceiling listed as 0 mean no funding is available?
Not necessarily. In the provided information, a ceiling value of 0 is described as commonly indicating missing or uncaptured information in that field, and applicants would need to consult the full announcement or budget guidance to confirm the actual maximum award amount.
Is this opportunity intended for incremental research improvements?
No. The Concept Award is designed for genuinely new and exploratory projects, not the next incremental step of an established research line.
What should a strong proposal emphasize according to the opportunity description?
A strong proposal should emphasize novelty and potential impact for rare cancers, and it should explain how the concept could meaningfully expand scientific understanding, shift perspectives, or open a new direction for research.
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