Description
The fiscal year 2026 Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports highly rigorous, multidisciplinary, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to Parkinson’s disease research. Research must address at least one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas. The award mechanism supports the full spectrum of research from basic science through clinical trials. Key elements for the IIRA include research strategy and feasibility, impact, principal investigator and research team, and partnering PI option. The maximum period of performance is 3 years, and the total costs budgeted for the entire period should not exceed $2M.
• The PRP seeks to support research that is relevant to the health care needs of Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, and/or Family readiness of Service Members.
• The application should demonstrate that the research team’s background is appropriate to successfully achieve the proposed specific aims and advance the PD field.
• The PRP IIRA requires that the Initiating PI dedicate at least 15% of their full-time professional effort to this award during the award period.
• Partnering PI Option: The IIRA includes an option for more than one PI. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission.
• Applications from investigators within the DOW and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the DOW, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged.