DoD Melanoma, Melanoma Academy Scholar Award | W81XWH 22 MRP MASA

FAQs: DoD Melanoma, Melanoma Academy Scholar Award (W81XWH 22 MRP MASA)

What is the DoD Melanoma, Melanoma Academy Scholar Award?

The DoD Melanoma, Melanoma Academy Scholar Award (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH 22 MRP MASA) is a Department of Defense Medical Research Program opportunity administered through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). It is designed to support early-career melanoma investigators by placing them into a structured, multi-institutional, virtual career and research development academy rather than operating only as a traditional research grant.

Who runs and administers this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is part of a Department of Defense medical research program and is run through USAMRAA (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity).

Is this award only a research grant?

No. While it supports melanoma research, it is explicitly built around an interactive training and mentoring model. The award emphasizes structured career development, mentoring, networking, collaboration, and ongoing monitoring intended to accelerate Scholars toward research independence and sustained productivity.

What is the Melanoma Academy (MA)?

The Melanoma Academy is described as a virtual platform that combines intensive monitoring, national networking, collaboration opportunities, and a peer cohort experience for early-career faculty. The intent is to build a connected, multi-institutional community of investigators who develop complementary expertise and collaborative relationships rather than working in isolation.

Who is the Scholar in this program?

The Scholar is the Principal Investigator (PI) named on the application. The Scholar is expected to actively participate in academy-driven training and development activities and to engage consistently with mentors and the academy community.

What is a Career Guide?

The Career Guide serves as the Scholar's primary mentor within the academy structure. The Scholar and Career Guide are expected to interact regularly and to communicate and collaborate with other academy participants.

Who provides oversight for the Melanoma Academy?

Oversight and coordination are provided by the Academy Director and Deputy Director, referred to collectively as the MA Leadership. They manage the academy environment and support engagement, accountability, and connections to broader scientific and advocacy communities.

What kinds of activities are Scholars expected to participate in?

The program expects active, ongoing participation in academy-driven development and training, including regular engagement such as monthly webinars and one-on-one mentoring sessions. The structure emphasizes hands-on, continuous career development rather than occasional check-ins.

Are Scholars expected to collaborate with others in the academy?

Yes. The Scholar and the Career Guide are expected to communicate and collaborate with other Scholars, other Career Guides, and the MA Leadership. A core goal of the academy model is to create multi-institutional connections and collaborative research relationships.

Does the program encourage engagement with patients and advocacy groups?

Yes. A notable feature of the opportunity is explicit encouragement to build relationships within the melanoma patient and advocacy community. This signals the program values patient-centered perspectives, community engagement, and awareness of real-world needs alongside scientific excellence.

How does MA Leadership support Scholars during the award period?

MA Leadership plays an active supporting role by assessing Scholar progress and serving as a facilitation hub for communication and collaboration. They help connect Scholars and mentors with one another and with national research and advocacy communities.

What is the overall goal of the academy model?

The overarching goal is to accelerate a Scholar's growth into an independent, highly productive melanoma researcher with a strong national network and a clear pathway to sustained funding and leadership in the field. The academy aims to develop a connected community of investigators building complementary expertise across institutions.

What skills does the program aim to develop beyond scientific research?

Beyond scientific development, the academy is designed to strengthen professional and leadership skills, including practical competencies needed to successfully fund, build, and manage a productive laboratory. The intent is to help early-career investigators develop the full toolkit required for independence.

What are the funding instrument types for this opportunity?

The listing indicates the funding instrument types include both cooperative agreements and grants. This typically aligns with a model that allows meaningful involvement and coordination from the funding program side, consistent with structured academy activities and active monitoring.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.420.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls within the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the summary information, meaning it is open to any type of entity unless additional limits are specified elsewhere in the full funding announcement.

When was the opportunity originally posted and when did it close?

The original posting date was June 1, 2022, and the original closing date was October 5, 2022.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making about four awards.

What is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount)?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. This commonly indicates the maximum funding level is not specified in the summary record and would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or associated program guidelines.