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Program History and Relevance to Military Health

The U.S. Congress established the Melanoma Research Program in fiscal year 2019 with a $10 million appropriation. The congressional language initiating the MRP specified “that melanoma diagnoses are increasing among active duty service members and that melanoma is the fifth most common cancer among veterans.” More recently, a Department of Defense study published in 2023 found an 87 percent higher rate of melanoma in military aircrew compared to a demographically similar general U.S. population. Prior to the MRP, the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program funded research for melanoma and other skin cancers from FY09 to FY18. The MRP received $220 million in congressional appropriations from FY19 to FY25 to invest in innovative and impactful melanoma research.

Strategic Priorities

Each fiscal year, the MRP assesses and refines the program’s strategic goals to address unmet needs and/or underfunded areas of the melanoma field. Considering the MRP’s mission and current research landscape, the MRP seeks applications addressing the following strategic priorities:

• Prevention and Interception - Research leading to improved detection and monitoring capabilities, particularly for individuals at highest risk. The program also encourages research into inhibition of melanoma initiation, early dissemination, emergence from tumor dormancy, and metastases—in other words, intercepting disease progression.
• Rare Melanomas - Research to improve understanding of the biology, etiology, prevention, diagnosis and detection of rare melanoma subtypes, as well as to improve prognosis, treatment and patients’ quality of life. Examples of rare melanoma subtypes include uveal, acral, and mucosal melanomas, which originate in the eyes, hands and feet, and mucus membranes, respectively.
• Survivorship - A broad range of innovative and impactful research to improve the health and well-being of all individuals impacted by a melanoma diagnosis. Survivorship spans the time from initial diagnosis through treatment and life post-treatment. In addition to survivors, a melanoma diagnosis also affects family members, friends, and caregivers.

Resources for Investigators:

• FY25 MRP Funding Overview
• FY25 MRP Funding Opportunity FAQ
• FY19 Melanoma Research Program Stakeholders Meeting Summary
• FY21 Melanoma Research Program Landscape