Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Research Coordinating Center

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health, has forecasted the funding opportunity RFA-DK-27-136, titled "Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Research Coordinating Center." This initiative seeks to establish a Research Coordinating Center that will serve a consortium of clinical centers testing anti-obesity medication strategies in youth. The program aligns with the NIH’s mission to improve health and reduce disease burden by focusing on childhood and adolescent obesity, a pressing public health issue with long-term consequences. The primary purpose of the opportunity is to coordinate research aimed at determining safe and effective treatment strategies for youth prescribed anti-obesity medications. The scope includes assessing the optimal developmental stage for starting medications, weight loss targets, dosage levels, frequency and duration of administration, and how these interventions can be paired with lifestyle therapies. A key consideration is ensuring that treatment plans do not interfere with normal physical or psychological development and that they reduce the likelihood of long-term dependence on medication. Research is also expected to explore predictors of positive or negative responses to treatment. The consortium will work collaboratively, with the Research Coordinating Center providing central oversight and harmonization. Specific responsibilities include offering management and administrative support, coordinating use of a central laboratory, developing common measures and standardized procedures for data and biospecimen collection, and ensuring unified approaches to data management and analysis. The Coordinating Center will also lead manuscript development and facilitate collaboration among consortium members. This funding opportunity is forecasted with an estimated post date of April 1, 2026, and an application due date of December 1, 2026. Awards are expected to be issued on July 1, 2027, with projects beginning on the same date. The forecast notes that one award is anticipated under a cooperative agreement mechanism. However, no funding ceiling, floor, or total program amount has yet been provided. Matching or cost-sharing requirements are not applicable to this program. Eligibility is broad and encompasses a wide range of applicants including state, county, and city governments; public housing authorities; public and private higher education institutions; school districts; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; for-profit organizations; tribal governments and organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories and possessions; eligible agencies of the federal government; and foreign institutions. This extensive eligibility pool reflects the NIH’s intent to attract diverse applicants capable of advancing research in pediatric obesity treatments. Applications will be managed through Grants.gov, and applicants should carefully review program updates as the opportunity progresses from forecast to official posting. Interested applicants may seek further information or clarification by contacting the listed program officer, Dr. Stavroula K. Osganian, via phone at (301) 827-6939 or by email at voula.osganian@nih.gov. Given the early forecast status, applicants should monitor Grants.gov for finalized details regarding requirements, review criteria, and application instructions as the estimated post date approaches.