The Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2, issued by the Defense Health Program through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), supports innovative research with high potential for impact in breast cancer. The program operates under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and is administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). This funding opportunity aligns with the BCRP’s overarching mission to eliminate breast cancer for Service Members, Veterans, their Families, and the broader public. Since its inception in 1992, the BCRP has received a total appropriation of $4.39 billion through FY24, with $130 million allocated for FY25.

This funding opportunity is structured into two levels—Funding Level 1 and Funding Level 2—with a specific research focus at each level. Level 1 targets high-risk/high-reward projects in the early stages of development and does not require preliminary data. Level 2 supports projects with substantial preliminary or published data and aims to validate clinical translation. Additionally, Funding Level 2 includes a Population Science and Prevention Studies option, allowing for a longer performance period and increased budget with sufficient justification. Research proposals must address at least one of the BCRP’s overarching challenges, such as preventing breast cancer, understanding metastasis, or eliminating mortality from metastatic disease.

The grant is open to both extramural and intramural organizations, including academic institutions, non-profits, for-profits, and federal government entities. Principal Investigators (PIs) at all academic levels are eligible, including postdoctoral fellows (who require a mentorship statement). The funding allows for single or partnered PI applications, with the Partnering PI Option (PPIO) enabling two PIs to collaborate under distinct but integrated applications.

Applications involve a two-step submission process: a pre-application (letter of intent) via the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) by June 13, 2025, followed by a full application via Grants.gov or eBRAP (depending on organization type) by June 27, 2025. The review process includes compliance checks, peer reviews, and a programmatic review, with funding notifications anticipated no later than September 30, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eBRAP ahead of submission.

Review criteria emphasize impact, feasibility, personnel expertise, and, where applicable, the quality of partnership. Application components include a project narrative, supporting documentation, abstracts (technical and lay), a statement of work, an impact statement, and various compliance forms. Specific additional requirements are detailed for postdoctoral PIs and those applying under the partnering option. Submissions that fail to meet these criteria risk administrative rejection or withdrawal.

Key contacts for support include the eBRAP Help Desk at help@eBRAP.org or 301-682-5507 and the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726.