DHA- Military Health System Research Program

The Department of Defense (DoD) through the Defense Health Agency (DHA) offers funding under the Military Health System Research Program (MHSRP), which is designed to support research that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery within the Military Health System (MHS). This grant program is aligned with the overarching goal of transforming the MHS into a learning health system that provides high-quality, evidence-based care across military and civilian settings. The research funded by MHSRP is expected to provide data-driven insights that inform strategic and operational policy decisions within the DoD and contribute to improved outcomes for military personnel and their families. The funding opportunity is open to both intramural and extramural applicants, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and local, state, or non-DoD federal agencies. Extramural organizations are encouraged to collaborate with DoD partners to ensure contextual relevance of their research. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by July 9, 2025, and only those invited will be eligible to submit a full proposal by October 17, 2025. The LOI should outline how the proposed research aligns with MHSRP’s priority topic areas and clinical priorities, and must include information such as project title, personnel details, research objectives, methods, and budget estimates. The total funding available for FY26 is expected to be $10 million, with a maximum award ceiling per project of $1 million and a performance period not exceeding three years. Proposals must address at least one of the MHSRP's priority areas—such as health system economics, quality, outcomes, variation, readiness, or systemic impact—and align with one of the clinical priority areas like women’s health, specialty care, surgical services, telehealth, or pharmacy. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and comply with specific formatting and submission requirements outlined in the NOFO. Evaluation of proposals involves a two-tier process: a scientific and technical merit review followed by a programmatic review. Criteria include alignment with MHSRP priorities, clarity and feasibility of research objectives, theoretical rationale, potential impact, qualifications of the research team, and quality of dissemination and succession planning. Applications that do not meet eligibility requirements or fail to adhere to submission guidelines will be rejected. Applicants must comply with all federal regulations, including SAM registration, submission of specific forms (e.g., SF-424, SF LLL), and certifications regarding lobbying and use of funds. The program emphasizes collaborative research involving DoD and non-DoD entities and encourages the use of DoD resources and data repositories such as the Military Data Repository and SPHERE database. Questions regarding the funding opportunity should be directed to the DHA MHSRP Mailbox at dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.hsr@health.mil or the Grants.gov contact center.

Follow formatting rules strictly; submit LOI before proposal; emphasize alignment with MHS priorities; partnerships with DoD entities are encouraged.