Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP) Concept Award supports the exploration of highly innovative new concepts or untested theories that address an important problem relevant to reconstructive transplantation. The Concept Award does not support clinical trials.

Distinctive Features:

·        Innovation: Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative.

·        Relevance: Projects should address at least one of the FY26 RTRP Focus Areas.

·        Preliminary Data: Presentation of preliminary data is not allowed; however, applications should demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results. A rationale for the proposed work must be provided.

·        Early-Career Investigators: Early-career investigators are encouraged to apply. Investigators at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow are eligible to apply.