George M. OBrien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a forecast notice for the George M. O’Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54 Clinical Trial Optional). This program is administered through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The initiative supports the continuation of the O’Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers, which are designed to foster impactful and multidisciplinary research in urology. The program encourages diverse collaborations both within the funded centers and externally across the broader research community, positioning itself as a national resource for advancing knowledge in the field. The purpose of the O’Brien Centers is to bring together research teams from various disciplines to conduct innovative studies on urologic conditions. By funding cooperative agreements, NIH aims to enhance the coordination of scientific efforts and expand opportunities for collaboration among investigators. The program is structured to support not only laboratory and clinical research but also the development of resources, data sharing, and training opportunities for the urology research community. The scope of funding under this program includes cooperative agreements that will provide resources to multi-institutional teams. Although the exact allowable costs and spending rules are not detailed in the forecast, the cooperative agreement mechanism indicates close collaboration with NIH program staff in shaping research directions. The program has an anticipated total of approximately $5.3 million in funding, with an estimated five awards to be made. Specific ceilings and floors for award amounts have not been set, meaning applicants should carefully review the full funding opportunity announcement once published to understand spending limitations and requirements. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state governments, local governments such as counties and municipalities, school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities, federally and non-federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations (both with and without IRS 501(c)(3) designation), private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations including small businesses, as well as faith-based organizations, regional organizations, and non-U.S. entities. Federal government agencies and U.S. territories are also eligible. This wide eligibility scope ensures that a diverse range of institutions can apply to contribute to advancing urology research. The forecasted timeline for this program begins with an estimated posting date of April 1, 2026. Applications are expected to be due by July 1, 2026, with award announcements anticipated on January 1, 2027. Successful projects would start by February 1, 2027. At this time, no pre-application deadlines, letters of intent, or other gating steps have been specified in the forecast. Because the notice is in a forecast stage, these details may be clarified when the full announcement is released. The program is forecasted and therefore not yet open for applications. Applicants should monitor Grants.gov and NIH notices for updates as the post date approaches. The official contact for this opportunity is Deepak Nihalani, who can be reached at 301-594-6417 or via email at deepak.nihalani@nih.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparing collaborative teams and resources now to be ready for the anticipated open date in 2026. This program represents a significant opportunity to contribute to national research efforts in urology and to participate in a networked structure designed to accelerate scientific progress.