Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Liver Cirrhosis Network: Scientific and Data Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has issued a notice of intent to publish a funding opportunity for the Liver Cirrhosis Network: Scientific and Data Coordination Center. This future funding announcement, numbered RFA-DK-26-309, will utilize the U24 cooperative agreement mechanism and is associated with the broader efforts of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The purpose of this upcoming funding opportunity is to support the continuation and completion of two major ongoing studies: the Liver Cirrhosis Network Longitudinal Cohort Study and the Liver Cirrhosis Network Rosuvastatin Efficacy and Safety for Cirrhosis in the United States (RESCU) trial. The Liver Cirrhosis Network represents a collaborative research initiative focused on improving clinical outcomes for patients with liver cirrhosis. The studies under this network aim to provide critical insights into disease progression and evaluate potential treatments such as rosuvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering medication. The intended renewal of this limited competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), following RFA-DK-20-004, seeks to finalize participant enrollment in both the observational cohort study and the RESCU randomized clinical trial. These studies are central to understanding long-term disease trajectories and evaluating therapeutic efficacy and safety in a high-risk patient population. The Scientific and Data Coordination Center funded through this opportunity will be responsible for managing clinical study operations, providing biostatistical and data analysis support, and disseminating study findings. This center will also be expected to facilitate ancillary studies that expand the research value of the primary investigations. The cooperative agreement structure implies active involvement by NIH staff in project oversight and coordination. Applicants should be aware that this is a forecasted opportunity, with applications not yet being solicited. The estimated posting date is July 11, 2025, with an application deadline of August 15, 2025. The estimated award and project start date is July 1, 2026. This forecast allows interested applicants ample time to develop collaborative proposals that align with the objectives of the Liver Cirrhosis Network and the NIDDK’s strategic vision for liver disease research. Notably, the announcement encourages applications from investigators with demonstrated expertise in translational sciences relevant to liver disease. The opportunity anticipates awarding a single cooperative agreement with a total funding ceiling of $1,835,051. Cost-sharing or matching is not required. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based institutions such as public and private higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses including small businesses, as well as various levels of government and tribal entities. The assistance listing number for this opportunity is 93.847, associated with Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research. For additional information, interested parties are advised to contact Dr. Edward Doo at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases via email at [email protected] or phone at 301-451-4524. No application PDF link is currently available as this is a forecasted notice. The forecast stage offers an early engagement window for potential applicants to prepare proposals and partnerships well ahead of the formal solicitation date.