The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and specifically the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), invites applications for the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Core Centers program under funding announcement RFA-DK-25-016. This program aims to advance the research infrastructure for PKD by developing and sharing essential resources that support innovative research across the PKD field. PKD Core Centers are required to collaborate with a designated Central Coordinating Site, functioning as part of a larger national PKD Research Resource Consortium (PKD RRC). The consortium is designed to support the PKD research community by offering shared research tools, services, and expertise that would be impractical for individual labs to maintain independently.

The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the national research effort in PKD by providing specialized resources that facilitate research and accelerate discovery. The resources made available by PKD Core Centers may include cell and animal models, reagents, data repositories, and other scientific tools, with an emphasis on accessibility for the wider research community. Additionally, the centers will support Pilot and Feasibility projects that promote early-stage, hypothesis-driven research in emerging scientific areas. These centers will work closely with the PKD RRC, fostering a collaborative environment where resources and expertise can be effectively shared. To ensure inclusivity and innovation, applicants must submit a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which will be a part of the application review process.

This funding opportunity is open to higher education institutions, eligible nonprofits, state and local governments, as well as some federally recognized and non-federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Each institution may submit only one application. The NIDDK anticipates funding approximately four PKD Core Centers in Fiscal Year 2025, with an expected award of up to $600,000 in direct costs per center annually over a project period of up to five years. Institutions with demonstrated experience in PKD research and the capacity to develop and distribute significant resources are encouraged to apply, particularly those with plans to engage investigators from diverse backgrounds and scientific disciplines.

Applications must include an Administrative Core and 1-3 Biomedical Resource Cores, which are the primary hubs for resource development within each PKD Core Center. An optional Resource Development Core may also be proposed to incubate novel research tools and methodologies. The Administrative Core will oversee the center’s management, ensure effective internal and external communication, and collaborate with the Central Coordinating Site. The Biomedical Resource Cores, on the other hand, will develop and provide resources such as experimental models, assays, and biological samples. The Centers must also establish access to resources and share them broadly with researchers in and outside the PKD RRC. A detailed plan for sharing these resources, including procedures for material transfer and data use agreements, is required.

The deadline for applications is November 14, 2024, with an anticipated start date for awarded projects in July 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to ensure timely review and to allow corrections if needed. Before applying, applicants must complete several registrations, including with the System for Award Management (SAM) and eRA Commons, as outlined in the NIH application guide. Institutions may use the NIH ASSIST system or an institutional system-to-system solution for submission.

The selection criteria will include the strength of the proposed Administrative and Biomedical Resource Cores, the viability of the PEDP, and the applicant’s potential to contribute resources that support PKD research on a national level. The project will be evaluated for its potential to expand the PKD research workforce and for its alignment with the goals of the PKD RRC, particularly around fostering diversity and including PKD patient perspectives in research efforts.