DoD Lung Cancer Research Program Clinical Exploration Award | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The DoD Lung Cancer Research Program Clinical Exploration Award (CEA) is designed to fund early, proof-of-principle clinical trials that can be launched quickly and that test bold, hypothesis-driven interventions with real potential to change how lung cancer is managed in the clinic. The emphasis is on ideas that move beyond conventional lung cancer treatment strategies and directly address persistent clinical barriers. Although the program prioritizes novelty and "outside-the-box" thinking, the intervention itself does not have to be a brand-new molecule or device; it can also be a therapy already used clinically or being tested in other diseases, as long as the proposed application to lung cancer would represent a major step forward. The expected end product is not a definitive practice-changing Phase III trial, but strong early clinical evidence and scientific rationale that justify moving into larger, efficacy-focused studies that could ultimately transform care.

Funding under the CEA specifically supports early-phase clinical testing, including Phase 0, Phase I, and pilot Phase II trials, as well as trials involving Class II or Class III devices. The mechanism can cover trials of drugs, drug combinations, biologics, devices, surgical procedures, behavior modifications, and other therapeutic approaches, as long as the trial is truly interventional and focused on early clinical evaluation. A key restriction is that applications cannot be limited to correlative work tied to an existing or completed clinical trial; proposals that only analyze samples or data from other trials without testing a new intervention are not allowed under this mechanism. Applicants who mainly want to conduct correlative or translational studies are directed instead to other LCRP mechanisms (specifically, the Investigator-Initiated Translational Research Award referenced in the announcement).

The program lays out several concrete expectations for a competitive application, reflecting its focus on feasibility, rigor, and near-term clinical relevance. Applicants are expected to clearly identify the type of clinical study being proposed and to specify the clinical phase (or device class) when applicable. If the intervention requires regulatory authorization, the application must include documentation showing that an Investigational New Drug (IND) application or an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) already exists. The proposed approach must be supported by a solid scientific rationale built on logical reasoning, a critical review of the existing literature, and preliminary data, with a clear explanation of why the idea is innovative and how it breaks from standard therapeutic thinking in lung cancer.

Operational readiness is also a major theme. The proposal needs to demonstrate that the research team has access to an appropriate human subject population and can realistically enroll enough participants to generate a meaningful result. It must also document that the intervention materials will be available in sufficient quantity for the study, such as including a manufacturer letter confirming supply of the agent and placebo if a placebo is required. On the design side, the trial must include well-defined, appropriate endpoints, along with a detailed statistical analysis plan. This includes a power analysis and sample size justification tied directly to the study objectives, rather than a vague statement that the trial is exploratory. Another practical requirement is speed: funded projects are expected to begin within 12 months of the award date, reinforcing that this mechanism is meant for studies that are ready to execute rather than long-term concept development.

A distinctive component is the required Transition Plan. Applicants must outline a realistic path for what happens after the CEA trial ends, describing how the results will be used to advance the intervention into subsequent clinical development. In other words, reviewers are looking for a credible bridge from an early signal of safety, feasibility, or biological/clinical activity to the next stage of testing, including how the team will position the work for larger trials and eventual impact on patient care.

The opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants (eligibility is described as unrestricted), and awards may be made as either grants or cooperative agreements through the DoD office administering the program (DOD-AMRAA). The announcement strongly encourages applications that involve collaborations with military treatment facilities, military laboratories, and Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and research laboratories. Related to that, proposals must clearly explain relevance to military beneficiaries, meaning active-duty Service members, Veterans, and their families. This is not meant as a superficial statement; the application is expected to connect the lung cancer problem being addressed and the intervention being tested to the needs, exposures, care settings, or health outcomes pertinent to the military and Veteran populations.

Administrative details in the source listing include the funding opportunity number W81XWH-16-LCRP-CEA, a 2016 closing date of September 14, 2016, and an anticipated total of two awards. The award ceiling is not listed in the provided text. Overall, the CEA is best understood as a fast-moving clinical trial mechanism intended for teams that already have regulatory groundwork, access to patients and materials, and a compelling, unconventional therapeutic idea that can be tested quickly and positioned for follow-on clinical development.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: DOD-AMRAA

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: DoD Lung Cancer Research Program Career Development Award

Previous opportunity: New Hampshire Conservation Innovation Grants

USGrants.org 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 W81XWH 16 LCRP CEA

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (W81XWH 16 LCRP CEA) also looked into and applied for these:

 

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

 

 

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.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "W81XWH 16 LCRP CEA", 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.