New Funding Alert: Department of Defense Melanoma Research Program

The U.S. Department of Defense Melanoma Research Program (MRP), managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), is committed to diminishing the disease burden of melanoma on service members, veterans, and the general population. The goal of MRP is to prevent melanoma initiation and progression, and to address the need for earlier melanoma intervention. In support of these goals, the DOD recently released Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) funding opportunities for melanoma research. For FY22, the DOD MRP plans to award a total of $40 million in melanoma research funds. 

Melanoma is of particular interest to the DOD because active duty service members spend prolonged periods outside, especially during deployment. Recent studies suggest that exposure to high levels of solar radiation in young adulthood is associated with a higher risk of melanoma mortality. In addition, rates of melanoma are increasing among active duty service members with the greatest incidence among those serving in the Air Force, Navy, and the Marines. The Melanoma Research Program will invest in research focusing on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma for the benefit of service members, veterans, their families, and all Americans.

FY22 Melanoma Research Program Funding Opportunities:

• Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas (NEW FOR FY22!)
• Idea Award 
• Melanoma Academy Scholar Award 
• Mid-Career Accelerator Award 
• Team Science Award (revised for FY22)

Additional information about each funding opportunity, including individual program announcements and application instructions,  is available on the CDMRP website.

Applicants can read more about the new focus program on rare melanomas and the MRP Melanoma Academy on the DOD websites. 

Securing CDMRP Funding - Tips from the Melanoma Research Alliance

To support researchers in applying for - and securing - support from CDMRP, the Melanoma Research Alliance held a webinar discussion on August 4, 2022. The discussion featured:

• Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive Officer, who shared an overview of the CDMRP Melanoma Research Program and its FY22 funding opportunities;
• Andrew Aplin, PhD (Thomas Jefferson University) who shared insight and experiences as a recipient of multiple grants from the CDMRP; &
• Ed Ackerley, Pre Award Program Manager (University of Notre Dame) who shared tips and best practices to support grants administration offices.

Learn more at the Department of Defense CDMRP Melanoma Research Program website.