DoW Epilepsy Leveraging Research Award

The FY26 Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Leveraging Research Award, Funding Opportunity Number HT942526ERPLRA, seeks to fund basic, translational, and/or clinical research that repurposes or expands existing research resources to accelerate the understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and associated comorbidities. Approximately $1.6M is available to fund two awards, each capped at $800,000, with a maximum performance period of 3 years. Key dates include a pre-application due date of August 3, 2026, and an application due date of August 17, 2026. Eligible applicants include extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War organizations, with independent investigators at any career level. The program encourages research aligned with ERP focus areas, such as Markers and Mechanisms of PTE, Epidemiological Characterization of PTE, Longitudinal Studies of PTE Progression, and Innovative Research Tools and Technologies. Applications must demonstrate leveraging an existing research effort where PTE was not a prior focus and provide strong scientific justification for the expansion. The two-step application process involves a pre-application through eBRAP and a full application via eBRAP (intramural DOW) or Grants.gov (extramural). Review criteria prioritize Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel, with additional unscored criteria for Research Sharing Plan, Transition Plan, Budget, and Environment.