DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Fellowship Award | W81XWH 18 BCRP BFA

DoD BCRP Breakthrough Fellowship Award (BFA) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the DoD Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Breakthrough Fellowship Award?

The Breakthrough Fellowship Award (BFA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program mechanism intended to launch exceptionally promising recent PhD or MD graduates into independent careers focused on breast cancer. It supports postdoctoral fellows who want to pursue bold, high-impact research ideas during their fellowship years and build the training, experience, and momentum needed to become independent breast cancer investigators.

2) Who is this award designed for?

This award is designed for recent PhD or MD graduates at the postdoctoral stage who are positioned to take intellectual ownership of an innovative breast cancer research project and a structured researcher development plan. The program emphasizes identifying standout early-career researchers and accelerating their transition toward independence.

3) What is the main purpose of the award?

The central goal is to develop an exceptionally promising postdoctoral fellow into an independent breast cancer researcher. The program is not intended to fund incremental or minor refinements; it prioritizes high-impact work and a training pathway that meaningfully advances the fellow toward research independence in breast cancer.

4) What does the program mean by "impact"?

"Impact" is a core expectation. The proposed research must present a credible path to major advances that accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer. The DoD expects innovation that could enable a fundamentally better approach than what is currently approved or already in clinical development, rather than small improvements to existing approaches.

5) Does the project need to identify who benefits from the research?

Yes. Applicants are expected to clearly define who would ultimately benefit from the research, such as particular breast cancer patient populations or individuals at elevated risk, and connect the work to real-world needs rather than leaving it purely theoretical.

6) Who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on this award?

The postdoctoral fellow is the Principal Investigator (PI) for this mechanism. The fellow is expected to take intellectual ownership of the work and write major parts of the application, including the project narrative and the researcher development plan, with appropriate guidance from the mentor.

7) Is prior breast cancer research experience required for the fellow/PI?

Prior breast cancer experience is not strictly required for the PI. However, the proposed project and the fellow's training trajectory must be clearly centered on breast cancer, and reviewers will assess evidence that the fellow has strong potential to become an independent breast cancer researcher.

8) What candidate qualifications are reviewers likely to emphasize?

Reviewers are expected to look closely at the candidate's qualifications and productivity, with special weight on first-author publications. Strong letters of recommendation are also important, particularly those that speak to the fellow's originality, drive, and readiness to become independent.

9) How important is mentorship for this award?

Mentorship is treated as a make-or-break component. The mentor (or co-mentor) must demonstrate relevant expertise and a clear commitment to developing the fellow, including practical support for innovative work and career development.

10) What expertise must the mentor (or co-mentor) bring?

The mentor (or co-mentor) is expected to have relevant expertise in breast cancer research and/or patient care. This should be supported by recent publications and active peer-reviewed breast cancer funding. The application should also describe how the mentor will support the fellow's innovative research direction and growth toward independence.

11) What if the primary mentor is not established in breast cancer research?

If the primary mentor does not have an established track record in breast cancer, the application must include a formal co-mentor who is an established breast cancer researcher.

12) Does the mentor need a long record of training other researchers?

An extensive mentoring history is helpful, but a mentor with a lighter record of training pre- or postdoctoral researchers may still be acceptable if the overall researcher development plan is especially strong and well-supported by the research environment.

13) What is the researcher development plan, and how is it used in review?

The researcher development plan is a central focus of review and is not treated as a formality. Applicants must explain why the proposed research and training plan fit the award's purpose of building an independent, innovative breast cancer researcher, and how the plan will develop the fellow's capabilities and career trajectory in breast cancer.

14) Does the application need preliminary data?

Preliminary data can be included but are not required. This allows applicants to propose genuinely new directions, as long as the scientific rationale, feasibility, and logic of the approach are strong and clearly explained.

15) What level of scientific grounding is expected for the proposed research?

The research should be grounded in a solid scientific rationale and/or a thorough review of existing literature. Even for bold ideas, the application should clearly articulate why the approach is credible and how it can reasonably lead to meaningful progress in breast cancer.

16) What should be included about the research environment?

The application should describe the research environment in detail, including available resources, collaborations, training opportunities, and how the setting will help the fellow build breast cancer-specific expertise and move toward independence.

17) Are multidisciplinary projects encouraged?

Yes. Multidisciplinary approaches are encouraged. If the project draws on multiple fields (for example, oncology combined with immunology, engineering, data science, or behavioral science), the application should clearly spell out those elements and how they integrate to advance breast cancer impact.

18) Are human subjects or human anatomical substance studies allowed?

Yes. Studies involving human subjects and human anatomical substances are allowed under this opportunity.

19) Are clinical trials allowed under this announcement?

No. Clinical trials are not permitted under this announcement.

20) Does the research need to align with Department of Defense priorities?

Yes. The work must be relevant to DoD priorities and should connect to the needs of active duty Service members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the broader American public. Even basic or mechanistic studies should be framed with a clear line of sight to breast cancer impact that matters to these populations.

21) Which federal agencies are associated with administering this opportunity?

This is a discretionary DoD funding opportunity administered through the Department of Defense, Department of the Army (USAMRAA).

22) What funding instruments are expected for this program?

The opportunity is offered as grants and/or cooperative agreements.

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The summary information lists CFDA 12.420.

24) Is eligibility restricted to certain organization types?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

25) What is the opportunity identification and when was it posted?

The referenced opportunity is W81XWH-18-BCRP-BFA. It was posted in March 2018.

26) What was the original closing date and how many awards were anticipated?

The original closing date was May 30, 2018, and the opportunity anticipated making about 10 awards.

27) What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The summary data shows an award ceiling of 0. This typically indicates that applicants should consult the full program announcement for the actual budget limits, allowable costs, and cost guidance.