Single Source for Chronic Kidney Diseases of UnceRtain Etiology (CKDu) in Agricultural Communities (CURE) Research Consortium - Data Coordinating Center (DCC)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), is forecasting a funding opportunity under the title "Single Source for Chronic Kidney Diseases of UnceRtain Etiology (CKDu) in Agricultural Communities (CURE) Research Consortium - Data Coordinating Center (DCC)." This opportunity reflects NIH’s sustained commitment to addressing Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu), a condition that primarily affects agricultural workers in low- and middle-income countries and increasingly draws attention due to its unexplained prevalence and severe consequences. The CURE Consortium was established to investigate this emerging health concern and has been operating since 2021. The funding opportunity aims to support a renewal of the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) within the CURE Consortium, enabling continued data management, analytics, and cross-consortium coordination efforts. CKDu is a form of tubulointerstitial kidney disease that results in irreversible kidney failure, affecting predominantly young and middle-aged agricultural workers who have no traditional risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension. In addition to environmental exposures, researchers suspect a complex interplay of occupational, genetic, and geographical factors. This grant opportunity represents a strategic initiative to deepen scientific understanding of CKDu, including identifying its causes, studying its progression, and potentially informing effective public health interventions. Research carried out through the consortium is also expected to improve broader understanding of kidney diseases in the U.S. population by studying similarities in environmental risk factors. The DCC will serve as the central hub for data collection, management, harmonization, and analysis across the consortium’s components, which include multiple field epidemiology sites and a renal and environmental science core. It will also provide overall project management and facilitate cross-site collaboration to maximize scientific yield. This includes supporting shared protocols, quality assurance, data standardization, and collaborative analyses. The CURE Consortium also serves as a platform for ancillary studies, allowing integration of new research efforts into its infrastructure, further advancing the state of the science. This opportunity is designated as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial programmatic involvement by NIH staff. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based and non-domestic entities, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, small and large businesses, tribal organizations, and faith-based organizations. Applications are expected to be peer-reviewed and only meritorious proposals will be funded. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity. The estimated posting date is April 1, 2026, with a due date for applications set for July 1, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced by January 1, 2027, with project start dates expected on February 1, 2027. While this is a forecast and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has not yet been posted, the program anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement with total program funding estimated at $1,750,000. Specifics on allowable costs and reporting requirements will be detailed in the final NOFO. Questions about the funding opportunity may be directed to the Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases at the NIH via email at [email protected] or by phone at 301-594-6417. Interested applicants are advised to begin internal preparation ahead of the official NOFO release in order to meet the expected deadlines. This forecast underscores NIH’s long-term investment in addressing pressing global and domestic kidney health challenges through robust data infrastructure and international collaboration.