Advancing Research on the Application of Digital Health Technology to the Management of Type 2 Diabetes (R01- Clinical Trail Required)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health and its National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, has announced a funding opportunity to support research on the use of digital health technologies for the management of type 2 diabetes. This initiative is motivated by the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, which currently affects over 11 percent of the U.S. population and is expected to grow to nearly 14 percent by 2030. Traditional health care systems face growing strain in addressing diabetes care, with many patients unable to meet key clinical targets, leading to increased complications and costs. The program seeks to encourage innovative research that evaluates how digital health technologies can expand access, improve patient engagement, and enhance treatment outcomes. The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to fund studies that evaluate digital health technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring, telemedicine, wearable devices, mobile applications, digital coaching, patient portals, and peer-support platforms. Applications must propose clinical trials designed to generate evidence on the efficacy of these tools in type 2 diabetes management. Projects developing new devices or algorithms, or those focused solely on type 1 diabetes technologies, will not be considered. The aim is to build a stronger evidence base that supports the adoption of effective digital strategies in clinical practice and informs future large-scale studies. Research areas of interest include combining multiple digital interventions, assessing continuous glucose monitoring in patients with or without insulin therapy, testing mobile applications for nutrition tracking, and studying telemedicine and peer-support integration into diabetes care. Additional focus is given to understanding patient engagement, digital literacy, equity of access, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of these tools. Projects are encouraged to incorporate meaningful engagement with patients, families, community partners, and clinicians to ensure relevance and practical application of research findings. Funding for this program is structured to support multiple grants over several years. In fiscal year 2026, direct costs are set at $1.5 million, followed by $3 million annually from 2027 through 2030, and $1.5 million in 2031. Up to three awards are anticipated across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Budgets are not capped but must align with project needs, and projects may extend for up to five years. All applications must be submitted electronically through NIH’s ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional submission systems. Applicants must ensure full compliance with NIH’s application guide, including requirements for data management and sharing plans. The opportunity opens for submissions on October 7, 2025, with the first application deadline on November 7, 2025. A second cycle will occur in October 2026, with peer review and council evaluations following in March and May of the subsequent years. The earliest start dates are projected for July 2026 and July 2027, respectively. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant institution, and late submissions will not be accepted. The notice expires on October 7, 2026. Eligibility is broad and includes higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, local governments, tribal governments, school districts, housing authorities, and faith-based or community organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, though U.S.-based organizations with foreign components may participate. All applicant institutions must be registered with SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov before applying. Principal investigators must hold eRA Commons accounts and demonstrate the expertise and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research. Applications will be reviewed based on scientific merit, significance, innovation, feasibility, and investigator expertise. Reviewers will assess whether projects address critical knowledge gaps and whether study designs are rigorous and reproducible. Additional considerations include protections for human subjects, data safety monitoring, budget justification, and alignment with program priorities. Funding decisions will consider review outcomes, program relevance, and available funds. For scientific inquiries, applicants may contact Dr. Henry Burch at henry.burch@nih.gov or 301-827-0827. Questions on grants management should be directed to Natasha Kimes at natasha.loveless@nih.gov or 301-594-8853. Technical assistance for application submissions is available through the eRA Service Desk and Grants.gov support. This program operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act and relevant federal regulations, with awards subject to NIH grants policy and reporting requirements.