DoD, Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3 | W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA3 2

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA3 2

The Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award Level 3 (funding opportunity number W81XWH-20-BCRP-BTA3-2) is designed to back breast cancer research that is genuinely positioned to change the field rather than incrementally add to what is already known. The central expectation is impact: proposed projects should have clear potential to accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer by enabling a new approach that is meaningfully better than existing approved interventions or candidates already in clinical development. Applicants are expected to be explicit about who benefits from the work, meaning the proposal should identify the breast cancer patient group(s) or at-risk individuals most likely to be helped if the research succeeds, and connect the scientific plan to real clinical or prevention needs.

This mechanism sits within a larger Breakthrough Award structure that is split into four levels, each aligned to a different stage on the path from discovery to clinical application. A key point in this announcement is that investigators must choose the level that matches the scientific scope and readiness of their project, not the size of the budget they want to request. Level 3 is only for advanced translational studies with a high degree of readiness, and applications that do not actually fit Level 3 intent can be screened out or not recommended for funding even if the idea might have been appropriate under another level. Levels 1 and 2, and Level 4, are handled under separate program announcements, and applicants are encouraged to compare the scopes across levels before submitting.

For Level 3 specifically, the program is looking for projects that are close to clinical investigation and can credibly move forward quickly. Where it applies, proposals must show proof that the team has access to the essential building blocks for translational work, such as the necessary datasets, human biospecimens, defined cohorts, and specialized reagents. If the work will require eventual involvement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the application is expected to demonstrate practical access to clinical-grade or clinically relevant reagents (for example, therapeutic molecules) and access to suitable patient populations. A realistic, near-term timeline for moving into clinical investigation is required, and small-scale clinical trials can be appropriate under this level, including first-in-human efforts and early Phase I/Ib studies, as long as the project readiness and supporting infrastructure are clearly established.

The announcement also strongly supports collaboration through a Partnering PI Option, which allows two principal investigators to apply together in a structured way. One investigator serves as the Initiating PI and typically handles most submission and administrative responsibilities, while the Partnering PI is expected to make substantial scientific contributions across the core application materials, such as the project narrative and statement of work. The program wants the partnership to be more than a formality: the application should explain what distinct expertise each PI brings and why combining forces is necessary to answer the research question better than two separate projects would. While new collaborations are welcomed, they are not mandatory. At the same time, the program discourages a pattern where someone is listed as a Partnering PI on multiple Level 3 submissions unless those applications clearly tackle different research questions. If funded, each PI is typically named on an individual award within the recipient organization, reflecting the shared leadership model.

Team strength and fit are another emphasis. Applications are expected to propose a robust, appropriately staffed team whose combined expertise is strong enough to execute advanced translational research and, where relevant, to conduct early clinical testing. Beyond scientific staffing, this opportunity has a firm requirement for consumer advocate involvement. Each application must include at least two breast cancer consumer advocates who are integrated into the project from planning through execution. Their role is not intended to be symbolic; they should be involved in shaping the research question, refining study design, contributing to oversight, supporting recruitment approaches when relevant, and participating in evaluation and interpretation with an eye toward patient relevance and real-world impact. The advocates must be individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who are active in advocacy organizations, and they cannot be employees of any participating organization on the application. Their involvement should be independent and objective, centered on representing the perspective and priorities of people living with breast cancer or at elevated risk, and they should have enough familiarity with breast cancer issues and research to contribute meaningfully.

Administratively, this is a discretionary DoD research funding opportunity managed by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through USAMRAA. Awards may be made as grants or cooperative agreements under CFDA 12.420 (Science and Technology and other Research and Development). Eligibility is described as unrestricted in general terms (open to many entity types), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. The posting indicates an original closing date of October 6, 2020 (with a creation date of April 30, 2020). The listing also shows “Expected Awards: 1” and an “Award Ceiling: 0,” which often signals that applicants need to rely on the program announcement for the actual budget limits and award structure, since summary fields in listings can be incomplete or formatted in a way that does not reflect the true cap.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD, Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3" 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 Apr 30, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 06, 2020. (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 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA3 2

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: