DoD Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Translational Research Award | Apply Online

DoD PRORP Translational Research Award (Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Translational Research Award) FAQs

1) What is the PRORP Translational Research Award?

The PRORP Translational Research Award is a Department of Defense funding opportunity intended to move orthopaedic and musculoskeletal research from the lab toward real-world clinical use. The program emphasizes translational impact, meaning proposals are expected to advance concepts, approaches, devices, or therapeutic strategies toward practical clinical applications rather than remaining at a basic discovery stage.

2) What is the main goal of this award?

The central goal is to improve recovery and long-term outcomes for Warfighters and Veterans who have experienced traumatic orthopaedic injuries. The funded work is expected to support measurable improvements in functional recovery, reduction of complications, readiness, and quality of life.

3) What does "translational" mean in the context of this award?

Within this opportunity, "translational" refers to research designed to push promising findings toward clinical application. Projects should be oriented toward practical use in clinical settings, not limited to basic science discovery alone.

4) Is multidisciplinary collaboration required?

Yes. A major requirement is true multidisciplinary collaboration. Each project team must include at least one laboratory scientist and at least one clinician.

5) What are the specific team composition requirements?

Each project team must include:

• At least one laboratory scientist, and
• At least one clinician.

6) What are the clinician requirements?

The clinician must be properly credentialed (including relevant degrees, licensure, and certifications) and must be actively practicing as a care provider in a role that fits the proposed work.

7) Does the program require more than listing collaborators on paper?

Yes. The collaboration is expected to be substantive. The application must explain how the combined expertise strengthens the project, why collaboration is necessary (rather than separate parallel efforts), and how the study design enables a two-way exchange of ideas between disciplines.

8) What kind of evidence of collaboration do reviewers look for?

Reviewers will look for evidence that key collaborators contributed intellectually to the project design and will play meaningful roles throughout the work.

9) Is specific orthopaedic or musculoskeletal experience required on the team?

Yes. At least one team member must have significant experience in orthopaedic or musculoskeletal research or clinical medicine.

10) How should credentials and qualifications be documented?

Biosketches are expected to document credentials appropriately, including clinician qualifications and relevant orthopaedic/musculoskeletal experience.

11) What focus areas/topics does the announcement solicit?

The opportunity solicits applications in orthopaedic and rehabilitation-related focus areas tied to military and Veteran health needs, including:

1. Identifying and reducing secondary health effects following reduced mobility after traumatic neuromusculoskeletal injury (for example: joint contracture, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and poor bone health).
2. Developing strategies to inhibit neuromas at surgical or amputation sites to address persistent pain and functional limitations.
3. Applying novel or innovative technologies and materials to advance prosthetic and orthotic device development.
4. Supporting research toward osseointegration for upper extremity prostheses to improve attachment, function, and user outcomes.
5. Improving treatment approaches for non-battle orthopaedic injuries affecting unit readiness, especially where historical return-to-work rates are below 50 percent or recovery commonly extends beyond six months.

12) Are secondary health effects after reduced mobility an eligible topic area?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes identifying and reducing secondary health effects linked to reduced mobility after traumatic neuromusculoskeletal injury, including joint contracture, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and poor bone health.

13) Are neuroma-related interventions an eligible topic area?

Yes. The announcement includes development of strategies to inhibit neuromas at surgical or amputation sites, recognizing their role in persistent pain and functional limitations.

14) Are prosthetics and orthotics development topics included?

Yes. The announcement includes applying novel or innovative technologies and materials to advance prosthetic and orthotic device development.

15) Is upper extremity osseointegration specifically called out?

Yes. The announcement includes supporting research toward osseointegration for upper extremity prostheses, with the aim of improving attachment, function, and user outcomes.

16) Are non-battle orthopaedic injuries within scope?

Yes. The announcement includes improving treatment approaches for non-battle orthopaedic injuries that affect unit readiness, particularly in cases where return-to-work rates have historically been below 50 percent or recovery commonly extends beyond six months.

17) Who posted this funding opportunity and under what program identifier?

The opportunity was posted by the Department of the Army through USAMRAA, under CFDA 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development).

18) What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is listed as a cooperative agreement and grant.

19) What is the estimated total funding amount and expected number of awards?

The overall estimated total funding amount is $2,250,000, and the announcement indicates an expectation of two awards.

20) Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a broad range of applicant organizations, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full announcement.

22) What were the key dates for the archived cycle described?

For the archived 2014 cycle, the original and current closing date was October 24, 2014, and the archive date was November 23, 2014.

23) Where can applicants get help with access issues or administrative support?

The announcement directs applicants to the CDMRP help desk for proposal submission and troubleshooting: help@eBRAP.org or 301-682-5507.

24) What is the overall "best fit" description of projects for this award?

This award is designed for team-based, clinically oriented orthopaedic translation, where the strength and necessity of the collaboration and the plausibility of moving toward real-world clinical benefit are emphasized alongside scientific or technical innovation.