Health science researchers in the U.S. naturally gravitate toward National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to fund their work, but other sources are available. And with the looming threat of NIH budget cuts, interest in alternatives may be on the rise. One such (perhaps surprising?) resource: the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
You’re familiar with NIH, but do you know CDMRP…?
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) are programs managed by the DOD (with funds appropriated by Congress) to support highly innovative, potentially groundbreaking medical research projects. The CDMRP aims to foster advancements in medical science by supporting research that might not be funded through traditional mechanisms.
That sounds great (if a bit jargon-y). But is this really different from NIH?
In purpose and practice, it often is. Over 30 years ago, CDMRP was born from the fruits of medical advocates lobbying for breast cancer breakthroughs that would reach patients more quickly. Since then, the focus has been on financing high-risk, high-reward initiatives that can demonstrate a clear and relatively short-term pathway to clinical application. (Meanwhile, NIH funds more of the incremental, basic science research that necessarily precedes the translational work.)
Do they only fund R&D relevant to military operations?
No, this is a commonly held myth. CDMRP oversees several smaller programs, such as the Rare Cancers Research Program and the Alzheimer’s Research Program, each dedicated to specific fields. These programs have historically included a wide variety of research areas, with topics as diverse as autism, lupus, and pancreatic cancer. While not solely focused on military readiness, some programs may emphasize military benefit.
What stages of research do they support?
Each program underneath the CDMRP umbrella writes and releases their own RFPs, which they call “Program Announcements”, on their own timetable. The Program Officers, along with DOD representatives, evaluate unmet needs in the field on an annual basis and develop the RFPs accordingly. For example, one year they may release a Clinical Trial Award or an Early-Stage Investigator Award but may choose not to do so the following year(s). Programs typically offer several awards that range from smaller “idea discovery” awards to larger-scale multi-institutional awards, all of which typically adhere to the mission of CDMRP to fund high-risk but potentially clinically impactful work.
Since this is DOD, were they spared from DOGE cuts?
Unfortunately, no. The CDMRP budget allocation was dramatically reduced from $1.8B in FY24 to $650M in FY25—a 57% decrease. Such a dramatic drop will of course significantly impede both the work at CDMRP and the pace of the important translational R&D that it enables. The much shorter list of programs for FY25 can be found here.
The reduction in funding has also had a significant impact on the structuring of CDMRP awards. For example, the previously separate Kidney Cancer Research Program has been moved underneath the larger Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). This eliminated a protected $50M budget (FY24) for kidney cancer research, and applicants in this field must now compete with 55 other topic areas for a slice of PRMRP’s $150M budget.
Lisa Lacasse, president of the ACS Cancer Action Network (CAN), commented on the impact of these changes: “A 57% reduction in CDMRP appropriation will most certainly risk vital advances in cancer research, halting much needed innovation.” Adam B. Weiner, MD, a urologic oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, also noted in Urology Times that, “A key impact of the CDMRP is its emphasis on funding innovative, high-risk research that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional grant mechanisms like those of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)…This approach has led to paradigm shifts in various medical fields, including precision medicine, immunotherapy, and stem cell research.”
What’s the process to apply?
Here’s ChatGPT’s summary of the CDMRP application process, which as a former CDMRP Scientific Review Officer I can confirm to be fairly accurate, if oversimplified.
[One caveat: only some but not all programs require a pre-application, which is evaluated by reviewers. If a “pre-application” is required, you will need to wait for an invitation to submit a full application. Some programs ask only for a simple “letter of intent” (LOI) to inform them you will be submitting an application. In the CDMRP world, LOIs are not evaluated and you are welcome to submit the full application. The individual Program Announcements will be clear on this issue.]
Process for Obtaining CDMRP Grants
The process of obtaining CDMRP grants involves several key steps, designed to ensure high standards of research and a fair selection process:
1. Program Announcement
Each grant cycle begins with the release of a Program Announcement, which outlines the specific research priorities, eligibility criteria, and application instructions. Researchers are invited to submit proposals that align with the announcement’s goals.
2. Pre-Application Submission
Interested researchers must submit a pre-application, which includes a letter of intent and a summary of the proposed research. This initial step helps to filter and identify potential applicants who meet the program’s objectives.
3. Full Application Submission
Selected applicants from the pre-application phase are invited to submit full applications. These detailed proposals include comprehensive research plans, budgets, and justifications. The full application undergoes rigorous peer review.
4. Peer Review
A panel of experts evaluates the full applications based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. This review ensures that only high-quality research proposals are considered for funding.
5. Programmatic Review
Following peer review, a second review is conducted by a programmatic panel. This panel considers the relevance of the proposals to the program’s goals and the potential for significant impact. It prioritizes proposals for funding based on strategic alignment and overall benefit.
6. Funding Decision and Award
The final funding decisions are made, and successful applicants are notified. The awarded grants support the execution of the proposed research, enabling scientists to carry out their studies and contribute to medical advancements.
