Areas of interest (AOI) & competitive research grants
We are currently accepting concepts for the following therapeutic areas. BMS periodically opens RFP Cycles across different therapeutic areas and the pre-concept submission periods will be posted below when available. We strongly encourage all applicants to begin the online application process early to allow adequate time for completion. For a submission to qualify for review, all information including any required uploads must be submitted through the application form prior to the specified end dates for the RFP Cycle.
| Therapeutic Area and / or Compound | AOIs Posted on BMS.com | Pre-Concept Submission Period | |
| Start Date | End date | ||
| ACTioN RFP 2026 | 15-April-2026 | 15-April-2026 | 28-April-2026 |
| Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) RFP#1 - 2026 | 4-May-2026 | 8-June-2026 | 25-June-2026 |
| Admilparant (LPA1) RFP#1 - 2026 | 8-May-2026 | 25-May-2026 | 4-June-2026 |
Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) RFP#1 - 2026 - Areas of Interest:
In Scope
- Deucravacitinib Clinical Practice-Informing Studies in PsA, SLE and SjD
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Efficacy in patients with PsA exhibiting axial involvement
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Efficacy in SLE patients receiving early lines of therapy
- Efficacy in SLE patients affected by health disparities
- Sjögren's Disease (SjD)
- Efficacy in SjD patients with positive salivary gland ultrasound findings
- Efficacy in SjD patients presenting with high symptomatic burden, low systemic disease activity, and SSA seronegativity (anti-SSA/Ro antibody negative)
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Deucravacitinib Proof-of-Concept Studies (excluding PsA, SLE and SjD)
- Efficacy in patients with other rheumatic diseases where pathophysiology involves TYK2-mediated cytokine signaling (e.g., IL-12, IL-23, Type I IFN pathways)
- Non-Interventional Studies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's Disease (SjD)
- Evaluating the limitations, clinical characteristics, disease progression, clinical impact, and unmet medical need associated with existing treatment approaches
Out of Scope
- Pediatric studies
- Dermatology studies
- Systemic sclerosis, Giant cell and Takayasu arteritis studies
- Clinical studies evaluating progression of PsO to PsA
- Pre-clinical and other animal model studies
Admilparant (LPA1) RFP#1 – 2026 - Areas of Interest:
In Scope
- Elucidating and addressing unmet need in IPF/PPF:
- Identification of predictors associated with differential treatment response
- Evaluation within patient sub‑populations where response patterns warrant further investigation
- Exploration of the differentiated LPA1 mechanistic profile, particularly in early or pre‑disease settings, across key biological domains including fibrogenesis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling
- Unmet needs associated with IPF & PPF:
- Understand and address prevalence & unmet needs specific to patients with co-morbidities (GERD, weight loss, depression)
- Characterizing the impact of treatment of monotherapy versus combination-based approaches
- Identification of patient- and treatment‑related factors associated with adverse outcomes and treatment intolerance
- Elucidate Mechanism of Action:
- Proof of concept/mechanistic rationale in other pulmonary & fibrotic conditions
- Effects of LPA1 antagonism on epithelial repair
- Immuno-homeostasis and prevention of acute exacerbations
- Life Cycle Opportunities
- Pulmonary/cardio-pulmonary and fibrotic diseases
- Pulmonary/cardio-pulmonary and fibrotic diseases
- Applications of AI and/or machine learning in IPF/PPF assessment, diagnosis, prognosis
Out of Scope
- Pediatric Studies
Please note that during an open RFP submission window, clicking on a link to submit your research idea will take you to the FastTrack Investigator Portal and you will receive a message that you are leaving BMS.com. This is part of the normal process.
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