Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Clinical Centers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health, has released a forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity titled “Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Clinical Centers.” This program is designed to establish a clinical research consortium focused on evaluating treatment approaches that maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of using anti-obesity medications in young populations. The initiative is part of NIH’s broader efforts to advance scientific knowledge and improve clinical practices related to obesity and its long-term health consequences. The purpose of this opportunity is to support clinical centers that will participate in a consortium tasked with designing and conducting studies of anti-obesity medication strategies for youth. These studies are expected to investigate when and how anti-obesity medications should be introduced, the optimal dosage, class, and frequency of treatment, and how best to pair these medications with lifestyle interventions such as diet, physical activity, and mental health supports. The initiative also seeks to identify predictors of response or nonresponse to different treatment strategies, which will inform personalized care approaches. Research supported under this program must prioritize healthy growth and development, adequate nutrition, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life while minimizing risks of lifelong dependence on medication. Clinical centers selected under this opportunity will work collaboratively as part of a broader consortium. Each center may conduct its own trials or participate in multicenter studies. To ensure consistency and comparability across sites, the consortium will employ standardized data collection methods, a central laboratory for biospecimen analysis, and common measures and data elements. Centers are also expected to contribute to the development of shared research protocols, joint data analysis, and collaborative publication efforts. This cooperative framework is intended to maximize scientific rigor and enhance the generalizability of study findings. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, reflecting the close involvement of NIH staff in scientific and technical oversight. The opportunity is listed under the Assistance Listing Number 93.847, which covers Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research. At this time, estimated total program funding, award ceilings, and award floors have not been specified in the forecast. The expected number of awards is three, and cost sharing is not required for applicants. This indicates that while NIH will provide full financial support, detailed funding amounts will be specified in the official announcement expected in 2026. Eligibility is broad and includes county governments, state governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized), U.S. territories and possessions, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, public housing authorities, for-profit organizations (both small businesses and other for-profits), eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and non-domestic foreign entities. This wide eligibility ensures a diverse applicant pool, including both domestic and international research institutions with capacity to participate in large-scale clinical research. The forecast was issued on August 28, 2025. NIH anticipates formally posting the opportunity on April 1, 2026. The estimated due date for applications is December 1, 2026, with anticipated awards to be made by July 1, 2027. Selected projects are expected to start on July 1, 2027, with funding tied to the 2027 fiscal year. There are currently no pre-application requirements or deadlines indicated. As the program is listed as forecasted, applicants should monitor NIH announcements for finalized guidance. For questions, applicants may contact Stavroula K. Osganian, MD, ScD, MPH at the National Institutes of Health by phone at (301) 827-6939 or by email at voula.osganian@nih.gov.