The Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) recently issued a Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) pre-announcement that’s crucial for the research community—but not for the usual reason. Instead of signaling immediate funding opportunities, this pre-announcement clarifies that CDMRP cannot release new funding opportunities until the FY25 Defense Appropriations Bill is signed into law. Currently, CDMRP is operating under a Continuing Resolution, which restricts its ability to award new funds until Congress finalizes the budget.
Why This Matters to Researchers
For investigators accustomed to the steady stream of opportunities from CDMRP, this pause means there’s currently no active funding cycle. The pre-announcement is meant to help researchers plan and prepare in advance so that, once funding is available, applications can be submitted quickly. However, it’s important to recognize that this pre-announcement should not be interpreted as a guarantee that any specific funding opportunity will open soon—or at all.
Planning Ahead: Key Opportunities in Breast Cancer Research (Pending Appropriations)
One example of a significant opportunity contingent upon future funding is the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP), which shared a pre-announcement for the following awards:
- Breakthrough Awards (Levels 1-4): These awards support high-impact research across various stages of innovation, with Level 4 targeting highly advanced projects.
- Clinical Research Extension Award: Aims to extend existing clinical research in breast cancer.
- Era of Hope Scholar Award: Designed for early-career researchers with high-impact, innovative ideas.
- Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Awards: Focuses on collaborative research to advance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
These potential awards present valuable opportunities for researchers, but it’s crucial to remember they are only hypothetical at this point—no applications can be submitted until funding is approved. Researchers should not consider these pre-announcements as promises of future funds.
What You Can Do Now
While waiting on official funding announcements, there are several ways researchers can use this time productively:
- Subscribe for Updates: To ensure you don’t miss any official announcements, subscribe to CDMRP’s program-specific email notifications through eBRAP. You’ll receive alerts as soon as new funding opportunities are posted.
- Familiarize Yourself with Requirements: CDMRP has a Webinar Series that provides insights into the types of funding offered and application best practices. Reviewing these resources now can help streamline your process when applications open.
- Stay Connected on Social Media: CDMRP frequently posts updates on social channels, including Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube. Following these platforms can help you stay current with the latest developments.
Waiting for FY25 Appropriations
The delay in funding is a reality of the government budget process, and it’s not uncommon for federal agencies to wait on appropriations before launching new programs. CDMRP’s pre-announcement serves as an early heads-up that can help researchers start planning, but it’s a reminder that patience is necessary as we await the FY25 budget’s approval. When funding is finally available, CDMRP will post official opportunities with deadlines on Grants.gov.
In the meantime, stay informed and use this planning period to position your research for future funding opportunities once they become available.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.