Researchers developing clinical studies capable of improving arthritis prevention, diagnosis, treatment or patient outcomes should know about the FY2026 Arthritis Research Program Clinical Research Award.

The programme supports clinical research across different forms of arthritis and offers two funding levels.

Research Level 1 provides up to $1.3 million.

Research Level 2 provides up to $3.25 million.

Projects can run for up to four years.

However, the current October 22 deadline is not open to new entrants. The required preproposal deadline was July 22, and full applications are restricted to invited applicants.

What Types of Arthritis Can Be Studied?

The programme encourages research addressing different arthritis conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis;
• Post-traumatic arthritis;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Inflammatory arthritis;
• Juvenile arthritis;
• Other clinically relevant arthritis conditions.

The research should generate clinically useful evidence capable of informing patient care or health policy.

Two Research Levels

Applicants select the level matching their study.

Research Level 1

Level 1 supports:

• Clinical research;
• Early-phase clinical trials;
• Pilot clinical trials;
• Emerging studies that are not ready for a full randomised controlled trial.

Maximum total cost: $1.3 million

Research Level 2

Level 2 supports:

• Full-scale clinical trials.

Maximum total cost: $3.25 million

Both levels allow a maximum period of four years.

What Focus Areas Must Applications Address?

FY26 applications must address one of two main Focus Areas:

• Prevention and Early Diagnosis;
• Treatment and Mitigation of Disease Progression/Burden.

The proposal should clearly connect its research question with one of these areas.

Preliminary Data Are Required

Applicants must provide preliminary or published data.

This is not designed for completely untested clinical concepts.

The existing evidence should support the feasibility and scientific rationale of the proposed study.

Community Collaboration Matters

The programme encourages patient and community involvement.

For Research Level 2, a community collaborator is required.

This might include:

• A patient;
• Care partner;
• Patient advocate;
• Community organisation representative.

The collaborator should contribute meaningfully to study planning and implementation rather than simply appearing as a symbolic name on the application.

How Much Total Funding Is Expected?

CDMRP expects approximately $7.15 million for the mechanism.

The programme anticipates approximately:

• Three Research Level 1 awards;
• One Research Level 2 award.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible organisations can include qualifying domestic and international:

• Universities;
• Hospitals;
• Nonprofits;
• For-profit businesses;
• Public institutions;
• Private research entities;
• Department of War organisations.

Applicants should review investigator-level requirements in the full announcement.

Current Status

Preproposal deadline: July 22, 2026, closed.

Invitation date: August 27, 2026.

Full application deadline: October 22, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

New applicants: Cannot begin at the October full-application stage.

Apply Here: Arthritis Research Program eBRAP application portal

Researchers planning future arthritis studies should monitor the FY2027 Arthritis Research Program if Congress continues the programme and new opportunities are released.