DoD Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes, Clinical Research Award | W81XWH 22 OPORP CRA

FAQs: DoD Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes, Clinical Research Award (FY22 OPORP CRA)

What is the FY22 OPORP Clinical Research Award (CRA)?

The FY22 OPORP CRA is a Department of Defense funding opportunity that supports clinical research evaluating orthoses and prostheses using patient-centered outcomes. The intent is to generate practical evidence that helps improve real-world patient outcomes and supports clinical decision-making (and, when relevant, broader policy or standards of care).

Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through USAMRAA (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is W81XWH 22 OPORP CRA.

What types of research does this program prioritize?

The program prioritizes clinical research that evaluates orthotic and prosthetic devices using outcomes that reflect patient experience and functional impact in daily life, rather than purely technical or laboratory-based performance.

Who is the primary population of interest for these studies?

The program is especially focused on people with limb loss or limb impairment, including Service Members and other military beneficiaries, Veterans, and related patient populations.

What does "patient-centered outcomes" mean in the context of this award?

Based on the description provided, patient-centered outcomes are outcomes that matter to real-world users of orthoses and prostheses and capture the patient experience and functional impact in daily living. The emphasis is on clinically meaningful results for patients, clinicians, and health systems.

Are purely technical or laboratory performance studies a fit for this award?

The opportunity places major emphasis on patient experience and functional impact rather than purely technical or lab-based performance. Proposals are expected to produce clinically useful evidence relevant to real-world users.

Does the program support research beyond direct device evaluation?

Yes. In addition to direct evaluation of orthoses and prostheses, the program is interested in multidisciplinary work that addresses strategies to reduce or prevent secondary injuries associated with limb loss or limb impairment.

What examples of secondary injuries are mentioned?

Examples listed include overuse injuries, compensatory movement problems, and other downstream musculoskeletal issues that can occur alongside limb loss or limb impairment.

Can a project include rehabilitation strategies?

Yes, but if a study includes rehabilitation strategies, the proposal must clearly explain how the rehabilitation approach is expected to improve orthotic or prosthetic device outcomes compared to the current standard of care. Rehabilitation should not be presented as a separate or loosely connected intervention.

How many funding levels are available under this opportunity?

There are two distinct funding levels: Funding Level 1 and Funding Level 2.

Can an applicant apply to both funding levels in a single application?

No. Applicants must choose only one funding level per application.

What is Funding Level 1 intended for?

Funding Level 1 is intended for pilot or early-stage clinical studies. These studies are typically explanatory, involve limited human exposure, and may use smaller sample sizes or represent more preliminary clinical investigations.

Is preliminary data required for Funding Level 1?

No. Preliminary data are encouraged for Level 1, but they are not required.

What is the purpose of Level 1 if preliminary data are not required?

Level 1 is designed to help teams test feasibility, refine methods, and generate early evidence with a clear pathway toward clinical translation, making it more accessible to newer lines of inquiry or early clinical validation efforts.

What is Funding Level 2 intended for?

Funding Level 2 is aimed at larger, more definitive clinical research projects that enroll robust, statistically meaningful numbers of participants and are designed to produce high-quality evidence suitable for informing evidence-based practice.

Is preliminary data required for Funding Level 2?

Yes. Preliminary data relevant to the proposed clinical study are required for Level 2.

What study designs does the program welcome at Level 2?

The program explicitly welcomes pragmatic studies and comparative effectiveness research, reflecting an interest in real-world performance and head-to-head comparisons that can directly shape clinical decision-making.

What kinds of impacts are expected from funded projects?

Projects are expected to generate evidence that is meaningful for clinicians, health systems, and patients who rely on orthotic and prosthetic devices in daily life, with potential to guide clinic-level decisions and, when relevant, influence broader policy or standards of care.

What award instruments may be used for this opportunity?

The award instruments include grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the activity category and CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development. The CFDA number is 12.420.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of organizations, subject to any additional eligibility notes that may appear in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on March 22, 2022. The original closing date listed is June 1, 2022.

How many awards did the program anticipate making?

The program anticipated making about five awards.

Is there an award ceiling for this opportunity?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that specific limits are defined elsewhere in the full funding announcement (for example, funding restrictions by level).

Where would an applicant find the specific funding limits by level?

Based on the listing, the specific limits would usually be described in the full funding announcement, such as in the section that outlines funding restrictions by level.