Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942526HRRPFRA
The FY26 Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP) Focused Research Award (FRA) is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to move the field closer to real treatments that restore hearing after military-relevant injury to the auditory system. The core purpose is to support promising, focused research that helps accelerate drug discovery and therapeutic development for hearing restoration, especially where the work can plausibly advance a candidate therapy or enabling data set toward later-stage development. Projects can include preclinical studies and certain types of clinical research, but the intent is clearly centered on translational progress rather than broad exploratory science.
To be considered responsive, proposed research must align with at least one of the FY26 HRRP Focus Areas (the specific focus areas are referenced in the announcement but not listed in the provided text). Just as important are the boundaries of what the program will not support: the award cannot be used to run clinical trials, and it also cannot be used for tinnitus research or vestibular research. In practical terms, applicants should frame their aims around hearing restoration mechanisms, targets, and therapeutic approaches relevant to auditory system injury, while ensuring the work does not cross into trial execution or the excluded topic areas.
A distinctive element of this award is that it offers two funding levels, which is meant to accommodate projects at different stages of maturity and development risk. That structure allows the program to support both earlier translational packages and more advanced, ready-to-execute efforts, depending on the applicant's existing evidence base and the specific needs of the proposed work. For applicants seeking to build a team across complementary expertise, Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO). Under that option, the application is organized around two PIs: an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI, which can be useful for multidisciplinary approaches that require clear leadership roles across institutions or domains (for example, a therapy development lead paired with a clinically oriented hearing science partner).
Applications are evaluated through a two-stage lens that combines peer review scoring with a programmatic review focused on portfolio fit and military relevance. On the scored peer review side, the main criteria are the strength of the research idea and rationale, the soundness of the research strategy and feasibility, the potential impact, and the qualifications and suitability of the personnel. After peer review, programmatic review considers how well the proposal adheres to the specific intent of the Focused Research Award, how it would contribute to the overall HRRP portfolio (including balance and uniqueness relative to existing investments), the relative impact compared with other submissions, and relevance to military health needs. This means a technically strong project is not enough by itself; it also needs to clearly fit the program's hearing restoration mission and demonstrate why it matters for service members and military-related auditory injuries.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number HT942526HRRPFRA with CFDA 12.420, categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and uses a grant funding instrument. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, indicating that a wide range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to the full solicitation requirements. The original closing date is September 10, 2026, and the agency anticipates making about three awards. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided data, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits, funding level caps, period of performance, and any cost constraints tied to the two funding levels.
Overall, this FRA is best understood as a targeted, translational hearing restoration funding mechanism: it supports preclinical and select clinical research that advances therapeutics, enforces clear exclusions (no clinical trials, no tinnitus, no vestibular work), offers flexible funding levels including a two-PI partnering model at the higher level, and uses both scientific merit and program relevance to determine which projects are ultimately funded.Apply for HT942526HRRPFRA
- The Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoW Hearing Restoration Focused Research 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 2026-05-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-10. (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 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FY26 USAMRAA HRRP Focused Research Award (FRA) FAQs
What is the FY26 HRRP Focused Research Award (FRA)?
The FY26 Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP) Focused Research Award (FRA) is a discretionary grant opportunity intended to move the field closer to real treatments that restore hearing after military-relevant injury to the auditory system.
What is the main purpose of this award?
The core purpose is to support promising, focused research that accelerates drug discovery and therapeutic development for hearing restoration. The emphasis is on translational progress, especially projects that can plausibly advance a candidate therapy or an enabling data set toward later-stage development.
What types of research are encouraged under this program?
The program supports focused, translational work aimed at hearing restoration. Projects may include preclinical studies and certain types of clinical research, as long as the work aligns with the program intent and does not cross into prohibited activities (such as running clinical trials).
Is this funding meant for exploratory or basic science?
The intent is centered on translational progress rather than broad exploratory science. Applicants are expected to frame aims around mechanisms, targets, and therapeutic approaches that advance hearing restoration and enable therapy development.
Do proposed projects have to match specific HRRP Focus Areas?
Yes. To be considered responsive, proposed research must align with at least one of the FY26 HRRP Focus Areas referenced in the announcement (the specific focus areas are not listed in the provided information).
Can this award be used to run a clinical trial?
No. The award cannot be used to run clinical trials.
Is tinnitus research allowed under this award?
No. The award cannot be used for tinnitus research.
Is vestibular research allowed under this award?
No. The award cannot be used for vestibular research.
What should applicants be careful about when defining the scope of their aims?
Applicants should focus aims on hearing restoration relevant to injury of the auditory system while ensuring the project does not include clinical trial execution and does not fall into tinnitus or vestibular research areas.
How many funding levels are offered, and why?
The award offers two funding levels to accommodate projects at different stages of maturity and development risk. This structure is designed to support both earlier translational packages and more advanced, ready-to-execute efforts, depending on the evidence base and project needs.
What is the Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO)?
The Partnering Principal Investigator Option (PPIO) is available under Funding Level 2. It allows an application to be organized around two PIs: an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI.
When might the two-PI partnering model be useful?
The PPIO can be useful for multidisciplinary approaches requiring complementary expertise and clear leadership roles across institutions or domains, such as pairing a therapy development lead with a clinically oriented hearing science partner.
How are applications reviewed and selected?
Applications are evaluated using a two-stage approach: (1) peer review with scored criteria, followed by (2) a programmatic review that considers portfolio fit, military relevance, and alignment with the intent of the Focused Research Award.
What criteria are scored during peer review?
The main scored peer review criteria are the strength of the research idea and rationale, the soundness of the research strategy and feasibility, the potential impact, and the qualifications and suitability of the personnel.
What does the programmatic review consider after peer review?
Programmatic review considers how well the proposal adheres to the specific intent of the Focused Research Award, how it contributes to the overall HRRP portfolio (including balance and uniqueness relative to existing investments), the relative impact compared with other submissions, and relevance to military health needs.
Is a strong scientific score enough to guarantee funding?
No. In addition to technical strength, a project must clearly fit the hearing restoration mission and demonstrate relevance to military health needs and military-related auditory injuries.
Who is the sponsoring organization?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Army through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) under the Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HT942526HRRPFRA.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 12.420.
What funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the opportunity category?
It is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, indicating that a wide range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to the full solicitation requirements.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date is September 10, 2026.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making about three awards.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the provided information. Applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits, funding level caps, period of performance, and any cost constraints tied to the two funding levels.
Does the provided information include the period of performance?
No. The period of performance is not specified in the provided information and would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation.
What are the biggest takeaways for applicants?
This is a targeted, translational hearing restoration funding mechanism that supports preclinical and select clinical research advancing therapeutics, enforces clear exclusions (no clinical trials, no tinnitus, no vestibular work), offers two funding levels (with a two-PI partnering model available at the higher level), and uses both scientific merit and program relevance to make final selections.
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| DoW Multiple Sclerosis Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award Apply for HT942526MSRPEHDA Funding Number: HT942526MSRPEHDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Multiple Sclerosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award Apply for HT942526MSRPIIRA Funding Number: HT942526MSRPIIRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Multiple Sclerosis Early Investigator Research Award Apply for HT942526MSRPEIRA Funding Number: HT942526MSRPEIRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Translation Research Award Apply for HT942526SCIRPCTRA Funding Number: HT942526SCIRPCTRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Trial Award Apply for HT942526SCIRPCTA Funding Number: HT942526SCIRPCTA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trial Award Apply for HT942526MSRPCTA Funding Number: HT942526MSRPCTA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Investigator-Initiated Research Award Apply for HT942526SCIRPIIRA Funding Number: HT942526SCIRPIIRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lupus, Transformative Vision Award Apply for HT942526LRPTVA Funding Number: HT942526LRPTVA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lupus, Idea Award Apply for HT942526LRPIA Funding Number: HT942526LRPIA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lupus, Transformative Vision Development Award Apply for HT942526LRPTVDA Funding Number: HT942526LRPTVDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lupus, Impact Award Apply for HT942526LRPIPA Funding Number: HT942526LRPIPA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lung Cancer Patient-Centered Outcomes and Survivorship Award Apply for HT942526LCRPPCOSA Funding Number: HT942526LCRPPCOSA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lung Cancer Idea Development Award Apply for HT942526LCRPIDA Funding Number: HT942526LCRPIDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Idea Development Award Apply for HT942526TSCRPIDA Funding Number: HT942526TSCRPIDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Clinical Translational Research Award Apply for HT942526TSCRPCTRA Funding Number: HT942526TSCRPCTRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award Apply for HT942526TSCRPEHDA Funding Number: HT942526TSCRPEHDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Lung Cancer Translational Research Award Apply for HT942526LCRPTRA Funding Number: HT942526LCRPTRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Peer Reviewed Cancer, Clinical Trial Award Apply for HT942526PRCRPCTA Funding Number: HT942526PRCRPCTA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW Peer Reviewed Cancer, Idea Award Apply for HT942526PRCRPIA Funding Number: HT942526PRCRPIA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoW, Peer Reviewed Cancer, Impact Award Apply for HT942526PRCRPIPA Funding Number: HT942526PRCRPIPA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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