DoD Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program Investigator Initiated Research Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the PRMRP Investigator Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) Investigator Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity intended to support research projects that can meaningfully advance medical science and/or improve patient care within the FY09 PRMRP topic areas directed by Congress.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The central purpose is to fund work that is tied to real health needs affecting the Armed Forces, military family members, and/or U.S. Veterans. The opportunity emphasizes projects that address concrete military medical problems, readiness concerns, service-related exposures, or health conditions that disproportionately affect military and veteran communities.

What does "military relevance" mean for an application?

Military relevance means the application must explicitly connect the proposed research aims and expected outcomes to specific military health needs. Applicants are expected to explain how the research relates to military medical problems, readiness issues, service-related exposures, or conditions affecting service members, military families, and/or veterans.

Is military relevance required, or just recommended?

It is a core requirement. Every application must explicitly describe its military relevance.

What kinds of research stages are supported by the IIRA?

The award supports a wide spectrum of research stages, ranging from early basic laboratory research through translational efforts aimed at moving discoveries toward practical use.

Does the award support preclinical animal research?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes preclinical studies in animal models as an example of supported research.

Does the award support research involving human subjects?

Yes. The program description notes that research involving human subjects is supported when appropriate.

What are correlative studies, and are they allowed under this award?

Correlative studies are research efforts that use samples or data connected to an existing clinical trial to explore relationships (for example, biomarkers or other measures). This opportunity states that correlative studies leveraging samples or data tied to an existing clinical trial are included within the supported scope.

Do projects need to be based on a new laboratory discovery?

No. The opportunity recognizes that strong ideas can come from multiple starting points, including new laboratory findings, patterns observed in population-based datasets, or insights drawn from clinical patient care experiences (including observations that may initially be anecdotal but lead to testable hypotheses).

Are clinical observations and anecdotal insights acceptable as a starting point?

Yes. The program description notes that clinician observations, including those that may initially be anecdotal, can be a valid starting point if they point toward important, testable hypotheses.

Is collaboration required?

Collaboration is encouraged but is not described as an absolute requirement. The announcement positions collaboration as a strength, particularly when it involves military researchers or clinicians.

Why does the program encourage collaboration with military researchers or clinicians?

The emphasis is intended to help ensure projects stay grounded in military health realities and can translate more readily to settings relevant to service members and veterans, especially where military clinical access, operational context, or specialized expertise improves the work.

Which organization offered this funding opportunity?

This opportunity was offered by the Department of the Army through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-09-PRMRP-IIRA.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What types of awards could be made under this announcement?

Awards could be made as either grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the anticipated level of federal involvement in the project.

How many awards were expected?

The expected number of awards was 28.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $30,450,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning the competition was open to a broad range of applicant organizations and entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program falls under CFDA 12.420, Military Medical Research and Development.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on January 30, 2009.

What was the application closing date?

The original closing date was April 16, 2009, and it was later extended to April 23, 2009.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on May 16, 2009.

What applicant support contacts were provided for help with the announcement and access?

PA HELP was listed as a support contact at 301-619-7079 and cdmrp.pa@amedd.army.mil.

What applicant support contacts were provided for submission system help?

eReceipt/CDMRP Help Desk support was listed at 301-682-5507 and help@cdmrp.org.

What does it mean that the opportunity was managed through CDMRP infrastructure?

The announcement indicates the opportunity was managed through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) infrastructure, which commonly uses an electronic receipt (eReceipt) submission system and provides technical support to applicants navigating submission.