The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is announcing the Continuation of the NIDDK Hematology Central Coordinating Center (HCC) funding opportunity under RFA-DK-25-023. This opportunity is designed to support a single HCC that will coordinate activities for the NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) Program. The HCC will serve as a national resource, providing administrative, communication, and enrichment support for up to five CCEHs while addressing gaps in nonmalignant hematology research, fostering collaboration, and advancing educational and professional development opportunities for researchers.

The primary responsibilities of the HCC include central administration of the CCEH Program, tracking usage and progress at all participating CCEH sites, and maintaining a rigorous quality assurance and control (QA/QC) plan. The HCC will also develop and manage a public-facing website to disseminate resources, protocols, tools, and funding opportunities to the wider hematology research community. Additionally, the HCC will oversee communication efforts through seminars, workshops, social media, and scientific meetings to raise awareness of the Program’s resources and foster nationwide engagement.

A significant component of the HCC’s role involves implementing a multipronged professional development and enrichment program for junior and early-stage investigators. This includes funding short-term sabbaticals, supporting travel awards, organizing educational activities, and scaling up successful enrichment programs nationally. The HCC will also establish an Opportunity Pool, a flexible funding mechanism to support pilot and feasibility (P&F) projects, enrichment activities, and innovative programs. The Opportunity Pool will prioritize the development of junior investigators and new collaborations in nonmalignant hematology.

Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, small businesses, and local governments. Non-domestic (foreign) entities are not eligible. Each application must include a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) to outline actionable strategies for promoting inclusivity, collaboration, and workforce diversity within the proposed project. Applications must also provide a comprehensive budget, with $700,000 annually allocated to the Opportunity Pool, including $500,000 specifically for P&F projects, and approximately $200,000 to support HCC operations.

Applications are due March 18, 2025, with an anticipated start date in December 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of intent by February 18, 2025. The maximum project period is five years, with total funding expected to be approximately $1,000,000 annually. Applications will be reviewed for scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and the effectiveness of their proposed strategies to enhance collaboration, communication, and resource sharing across the national hematology research community.

The successful applicant will be required to work collaboratively with NIDDK and the CCEH Program Steering Committee, participate in monthly meetings and annual face-to-face consortium gatherings, and ensure the dissemination of program outcomes and resources. The HCC must demonstrate the ability to manage complex, multi-institutional programs and promote continuous improvement of hematology research resources based on user engagement and emerging scientific needs.