DOD Toxic Exposures, Investigator-Initiated Research Award | HT9425 23 TERP IIRA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the TERP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary federal research funding opportunity from the Department of Defense (DoD). It supports investigator-driven projects that advance scientific understanding and/or improve patient care for diseases or health conditions linked to military-related toxic exposures.

What is the funding opportunity number for this program?

The funding opportunity number is HT9425 23 TERP IIRA.

Which agency administers this award?

The opportunity is administered by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

What is the main purpose of this award?

The purpose is to fund research that makes an important, defensible contribution to the evidence base around exposure-related illness in military populations. This can include mechanistic insight, improved detection, risk stratification, and steps toward better prevention and treatment.

What kinds of health issues or topics are in scope?

The focus is on diseases or health conditions linked to military-related toxic exposures, and on research that can meaningfully advance understanding and/or patient care for those exposure-associated conditions.

Is the research topic restricted to a narrow set of methods or study types?

No. The scope is described as broad and intentionally flexible, covering virtually the full research pipeline.

What stages of research are supported (basic, translational, clinical)?

The solicitation supports research ranging from basic laboratory research (such as foundational biology or toxicology related to exposure and disease mechanisms) through translational work that bridges laboratory findings into clinically relevant applications.

Are preclinical studies allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Preclinical studies are explicitly allowed, including work in animal models.

Is human subjects research supported?

Yes. The opportunity states that human subjects research may be supported.

Can applicants propose correlative studies tied to an existing clinical trial?

Yes. The solicitation supports correlative studies connected to an existing clinical trial, such as using trial samples or data to evaluate biomarkers, pathways, exposure signatures, or other relationships that help explain outcomes or guide future interventions.

What are examples of the types of contributions the program is looking for?

The program describes interest in work that strengthens the evidence base around exposure-related illness, including mechanistic insight, improved detection, risk stratification, and progress toward better prevention and treatment in military populations impacted by toxic exposures.

Does the program allow New Approach Methodologies?

Yes. The opportunity notes that New Approach Methodologies may be used, indicating openness to modern experimental and analytical approaches that can improve relevance, reduce reliance on traditional animal testing where appropriate, or strengthen causal inference and predictability.

What funding mechanisms are used (grant vs cooperative agreement)?

Awards may be made through either grants or cooperative agreements.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this program?

In this posting, a grant is described as providing funding with standard oversight. A cooperative agreement is described as typically involving more substantial involvement from the sponsoring agency during the project period (for example, collaboration on milestones, reporting, or coordination).

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this listing?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 12.420.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

The posting indicates an expected number of awards of about nine.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is broadly open to many types of applicant organizations, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full eligibility text of the announcement.

Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean any organization can apply?

The posting indicates broad eligibility (often including universities, nonprofits, for-profits, and other research entities), but it also notes that applicants should rely on any clarifications in the full eligibility text of the announcement and standard federal/DoD requirements.

When was this opportunity created?

The posting indicates it was created on July 7, 2023.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date shown is October 4, 2023.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The summary fields show an award ceiling of 0. This often indicates the maximum award amount is not specified in that particular database field or is described elsewhere in the full announcement rather than as a single fixed cap.

Is this opportunity competitive?

Based on the posting indicating about nine expected awards and describing a limited set of funded projects selected for impact and alignment with TERP priorities, it appears to be a competitive program.

What is meant by "investigator-initiated" or "investigator-driven" in this context?

It means researchers propose their own project ideas within the program purpose and scope, with an emphasis on high-value studies relevant to military-related toxic exposures and exposure-linked health conditions.

What kinds of outcomes or impacts is the program trying to achieve?

The opportunity is positioned to support research with clear relevance to military health and potential to translate into better clinical understanding or care for affected populations, including improved evidence, detection, stratification of risk, prevention strategies, and treatment-related progress.