NIDDK Centers for Diabetes Translation Research (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced the *NIDDK Centers for Diabetes Translation Research (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)* funding opportunity (RFA-DK-26-001). This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks applications for the establishment of Centers for Diabetes Translation Research (CDTRs). The aim is to promote research across the translational science spectrum—bridging the gap from evidence to real-world practice and community settings. The primary goal is to accelerate diabetes prevention and treatment innovation while addressing health disparities, health equity, and population health. Centers will provide shared research resources, expertise, and core services to foster collaboration, develop novel methods, and implement community- and person-centered solutions for diabetes-related issues. CDTRs are expected to serve as hubs for multidisciplinary research and to support early-stage investigators, while also attracting senior researchers to diabetes translational science. Centers must demonstrate a strong, pre-existing research base of at least $3,000,000 annually in peer-reviewed funding and include partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare systems, community organizations, or social services to address key translational gaps. The focus should be on health equity and interventions to reduce diabetes-related health disparities in high-burden populations, particularly those influenced by adverse social determinants of health. Applicants are required to include an Administrative Core, at least two Translational Research Cores, a Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) Program, and an Enrichment Program. The Administrative Core will oversee Center operations, evaluate core usage and productivity, and manage an enrichment program to promote scientific exchange and training. The Translational Research Cores must provide services supporting novel methods, health equity approaches, and dissemination and implementation research to overcome barriers in clinical and community settings. The Pilot and Feasibility Program will fund innovative, small-scale projects, particularly for early-stage investigators or researchers new to diabetes translational science. Optional components include a National/Regional Resource Core to extend resources to diabetes researchers nationwide and a National Enrichment Program to organize symposia, advance scientific understanding, and foster career development. Both options allow for additional funding beyond the base award. Centers must maintain a website, collaborate with other NIDDK-funded programs, and address the NIH Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which encourages inclusivity in research teams, settings, and subjects. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, local governments, and tribal organizations. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components are not eligible. Application budgets are limited to $400,000 per year in direct costs, with potential additional funds for optional programs. Awards will last up to five years. NIDDK anticipates funding up to eight awards, contingent on the availability of funds and the quality of submissions. Key dates include a Letter of Intent due on May 12, 2025, the application deadline of June 10, 2025, peer review in November 2025, and an earliest project start date of April 2026. Applicants must adhere to NIH guidelines, including submission through the ASSIST system or an approved institutional system-to-system solution. Proposals must follow the multi-component structure, with specific page limits for each section. The applications will undergo scientific merit review based on the overall research strategy, innovation, the strength of the cores, the feasibility of the P&F Program, and the potential for advancing health equity and translational science.