DOD’s Melanoma Idea Award for Novel Research

The FY21 MRP Idea Award supports innovative, untested, exploratory, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or methods in melanoma research. The advancement of knowledge in melanoma research, patient care, and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries, and the American public.

The purpose of the Idea Award is to generate novel research avenues for investigation; therefore, novelty and innovation should be key aspects of the proposed research. Research supported by the Idea Award must introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. The proposed project can be exploratory, hypothesis-driven or hypothesis-generating research but must be based on a strong scientific rationale and a well-developed study design and plan of analysis.

The Idea Award is not intended to expand or extend previously published findings or continue an established line of research. Incremental advances, the next logical step, or switching the object or method of inquiry from one cancer to another cancer is not considered innovative.

Studies involving non-melanoma skin cancers are not allowed under the FY21 MRP.