Kidney Precision Medicine Project Tissue Interrogation Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a forecasted opportunity under the Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP). This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), titled Kidney Precision Medicine Project Tissue Interrogation Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), seeks to fund Tissue Interrogation Sites (TIS) that will analyze human kidney tissue. The project’s central aim is to better understand acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) by creating a Kidney Tissue Atlas, defining disease subgroups, and identifying critical cells, interstitial components, pathways, and therapeutic targets. The TIS will collaborate closely with Recruitment Sites, the Kidney Tissue Atlas Coordinating Center, and the Central Hub. Together, these entities will work to collect, analyze, and interpret kidney biopsies. The scientific goal is to generate a comprehensive atlas of kidney tissue that captures disease-specific biological features, providing a foundation for improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies. By enabling a systems-level view of kidney disease, the initiative supports the development of precision medicine approaches tailored to patient subgroups. The opportunity will provide funding through cooperative agreements, which allow for substantial federal involvement in project activities. The estimated total program funding is six million dollars, with approximately seven awards expected. The specific award ceiling and floor have not been provided in the forecast, meaning applicants should anticipate variation in award amounts depending on project scope and scientific merit. Cost sharing or matching requirements are not required for this opportunity. Eligibility for this program is broad, encompassing a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible entities include private and public institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, Native American tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, and faith-based or community-based organizations. In addition, U.S. territories, regional organizations, and non-domestic foreign institutions are eligible to apply. Federal agencies are also listed as eligible, expanding the scope of potential applicants. The forecast estimates a posting date of July 5, 2026, with full applications due by October 5, 2026. The award date is projected for June 1, 2027, with projects starting on July 1, 2027. The notice indicates that applications will not involve clinical trials, aligning with the cooperative agreement model of research collaboration. No pre-application deadlines, such as letters of intent, are indicated in the forecast at this time. Applications will be accepted through the standard NIH submission process via Grants.gov. For questions, applicants may contact the designated program official, Debbie S. Gipson, MS, MD, at 301-480-2268 or via email at Debbie.Gipson@nih.gov. As this is a forecasted opportunity, details may be updated when the official announcement is released. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov and NIH announcements to remain informed of changes to eligibility requirements, deadlines, or funding structures.