National K12 Program for the Career Development of Clinician-Scientists in Diabetes Research (Diabetes-DOCS)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting a grant opportunity titled "National K12 Program for the Career Development of Clinician-Scientists in Diabetes Research (Diabetes-DOCS)." This initiative is managed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and its primary objective is to expand the pipeline of physician-scientists specializing in diabetes, with an emphasis on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). This effort addresses a critical national shortage of pediatric endocrinologists and physicians from diverse medical specialties engaging in cutting-edge diabetes research. The Diabetes-DOCS program seeks to support physicians who are committed to establishing independent research careers focused on diabetes. Through this funding mechanism, a single national administrative center will be awarded, but appointed scholars will conduct research and receive career development support at their respective home institutions across the United States. This structural approach is designed to foster nationwide impact while maintaining local academic and clinical affiliations. Funding is sourced significantly from the Statutory Special Diabetes Program, with provisions to include support for Type 2 Diabetes research in subsequent years, contingent upon the availability of additional funding. A key requirement of this program is that scholars may not act as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial. However, they are encouraged to participate in clinical trials under the mentorship of seasoned researchers. Acceptable involvement includes designing and executing ancillary studies to existing trials or initiating new studies under the direction of a qualified mentor or collaborator. This ensures a guided developmental path that supports ethical, sound, and impactful clinical research. Eligibility for this grant is broad and inclusive. Applicants may include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, and even non-domestic entities. This diverse eligibility scope supports the goal of drawing from a wide and varied talent pool of physician-scientists. Specific categories such as faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories are also included, reinforcing the program’s national reach. Applications for this forecasted opportunity are expected to open on April 1, 2026, and close on July 1, 2026. The anticipated award notification date is April 1, 2027, which also marks the projected start date of the funded projects. This timeline affords applicants adequate preparation time for proposal development, institutional approvals, and the identification of appropriate mentors and collaborators. Administrative authority for this program is derived from Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and supported by the recent passage of P.L. 118-158, the American Relief Act of 2025, which extends funding under the special diabetes programs. Interested parties can obtain more information or direct inquiries to Dr. Lisa M. Spain at the NIH via email at [email protected] or by calling 301-451-9871. The official funding announcement and application package are expected to be posted on Grants.gov in early 2026.