Single Source for the Continuation of the Physiology of the Weight Reduced State (POWERS) Study (U01- Clinical Trials Required)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), has announced a forecasted opportunity for a cooperative agreement to continue the Physiology of the Weight Reduced State (POWERS) study. The funding opportunity, designated as RFA-DK-27-122, is part of NIH’s discretionary grant programs within the category of health research. The overarching aim of this continuation is to complete the clinical trial and conduct further analyses of the data and biospecimens collected during the initial phases of the POWERS study. This research focuses on understanding the physiological processes that contribute to individual variability in weight regain following weight loss. The POWERS study seeks to address a pressing public health issue: the high rates of weight regain after successful weight loss. By supporting the continuation of this research, NIDDK aims to generate evidence that could inform interventions and treatment strategies for obesity and related health conditions. The single-source designation of this award reflects NIDDK’s intent to fund the University of Pittsburgh, which has been the central site responsible for leading the POWERS study. Continuation funding ensures that the existing cohort, data, and biological samples can be analyzed and used effectively, maximizing the scientific value of this significant investment. The scope of this cooperative agreement includes clinical trial continuation and full analysis of collected biospecimens. The program aligns with NIDDK’s broader mission to support research that advances understanding, prevention, and treatment of diabetes, digestive diseases, and kidney disorders. Because the funding is through a cooperative agreement mechanism, NIH will maintain substantial involvement in the scientific and programmatic oversight of the project. The opportunity does not specify spending categories beyond the general purposes of supporting clinical research, trial continuation, and data analysis, but it follows NIH’s established guidelines for allowable and unallowable costs in cooperative research agreements. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to a single source: the University of Pittsburgh. This limitation is explicitly stated by NIDDK in recognition of the University’s unique role as the lead institution for the POWERS study. No other institutions or applicant types are eligible to apply for this continuation award. This makes the eligibility field highly restricted and not open to the broader pool of higher education institutions, nonprofits, or other organizations that are typically eligible under NIH funding opportunities. The anticipated timeline for this opportunity begins with an estimated post date of April 1, 2026, and an application due date of July 1, 2026. Following application submission, the estimated award date is April 1, 2027, which also marks the projected project start date. The fiscal year of funding is 2027. As of now, no pre-application deadlines such as letters of intent are listed in the forecast. The current status is forecasted, with applicants expected to prepare for a future competition limited to the identified single source institution. Contact for this opportunity is provided through Mary Evans, PhD, at NIDDK. She can be reached via telephone at 301-594-4578 or through email at NIDDK_Obesity@nih.gov. The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing Number 93.847, covering diabetes, digestive, and kidney diseases extramural research. At present, the forecast does not specify the total program funding, award ceiling, or award floor. These values remain unlisted in the forecast notice and will require verification once the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is released. Matching or cost-sharing is not required for this award.