DoD Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes, Clinical Research Award | W81XWH 18 OPORP CRA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the DoD Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes, Clinical Research Award (FY18 OPORP CRA)?

The FY18 OPORP CRA (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH 18 OPORP CRA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity administered through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). It supports clinical research designed to improve real-world outcomes for people with limb loss and/or limb impairment by generating evidence that clinicians can use to make better orthotic and prosthetic care decisions.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central goal is to produce clear, outcomes-focused, evidence-based clinical findings about which orthotic and prosthetic device options (and which specific device characteristics) are associated with the best patient outcomes. The emphasis is on practical results that can improve function, health, and quality of life, especially for Service members and Veterans, while still translating to broader civilian benefit.

Who administers the award?

The opportunity is administered by USAMRAA (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity) on behalf of the Department of Defense.

What types of research does this award support?

This mechanism supports patient-centric clinical outcomes research in orthotics and prosthetics. It is intended to evaluate and compare existing devices and device features, using outcomes that patients actually experience, to strengthen evidence-based practice and guide real-world clinical decision-making.

What does "outcomes-focused" mean in the context of this program?

Outcomes-focused means the research is centered on measurable, clinically meaningful results that matter in real life for patients, clinicians, and health systems. The program is designed to move the field beyond tradition, anecdote, or small isolated studies and toward stronger clinical evidence that supports best practices in orthotic and prosthetic care.

What patient populations are the focus of the research?

The target population is tied to military relevance. The findings should matter for Service members and Veterans with limb loss and/or limb impairment. At the same time, the program expects that results will be clinically meaningful and broadly applicable, with benefits that can translate to civilian populations as well.

Is this opportunity intended for developing new orthotic or prosthetic devices?

No. The award is not positioned as an engineering or product development mechanism. It is not meant for inventing a new device, building a new technology platform, or redesigning/improving an existing technology through product development. The focus is on studying devices that already exist and are already in use or commercially available.

What kinds of device-related questions is the program trying to answer?

The program is designed to push the field toward evidence-based answers about which available orthotic and prosthetic device options work best for patients, and which specific characteristics or features of those devices are linked to better outcomes. The intent is to inform device selection, fitting decisions, and care pathways using rigorous clinical evidence.

Does the program encourage comparative studies between device options?

Yes. The opportunity is specifically intended to evaluate and compare existing orthotic and prosthetic devices and their features to understand how different options affect patient-relevant outcomes.

How is this award different from traditional orthotics and prosthetics research approaches?

The award places a strong emphasis on clinically useful evidence that can directly support evidence-based practice. Rather than relying on tradition or anecdotal experience, it seeks stronger clinical outcomes data that can guide providers toward best practices and improve decision-making for patient care.

Why is military relevance emphasized?

Because the program is a DoD funding mechanism, it expects the research to address the needs and realities of Service members and Veterans. The results should be meaningful for military and Veteran clinical contexts, while also being applicable to broader civilian care.

Are multidisciplinary collaborations encouraged?

Yes. Multidisciplinary collaboration is described as highly encouraged, reflecting that orthotics and prosthetics outcomes can depend on multiple disciplines and stakeholders.

What types of partners are encouraged to collaborate on projects?

The program highlights collaboration among academia, industry partners, the military Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal agencies as highly encouraged. This suggests a preference for teams that can combine clinical research expertise, access to relevant patient populations and settings, and practical pathways for translating findings into practice.

What is the CFDA number and what category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary research funding under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development area, with CFDA 12.420.

What funding instruments are used for this opportunity?

The funding instruments include both grants and cooperative agreements. This indicates awards may vary in the degree of government involvement or coordination depending on project needs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant organization types may apply, subject to any specific eligibility clarifications that may be included in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was posted on June 15, 2018. The original application deadline was October 25, 2018.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated making about four awards.

Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The source data lists the award ceiling as 0, which typically indicates that the maximum amount is not specified in that field. The specific ceiling would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or associated budget guidance.

What is the practical takeaway for applicants considering this opportunity?

This program is best understood as a clinical outcomes research initiative for orthotics and prosthetics. It funds studies that evaluate and compare currently available device choices and features using patient-relevant endpoints, with the intent of generating evidence clinicians can use to optimize device selection and care decisions for Service members, Veterans, and broader patient populations.

What is the ultimate impact the DoD is seeking from this research?

The desired impact is clinically useful evidence that improves evidence-based practice and measurably enhances patient outcomes, supporting better decision-making in orthotic and prosthetic care and ultimately improving function, health, and quality of life.