The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has announced the NIDDK Catalyst Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) to support scientists proposing bold, innovative, and transformational research in the areas of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolic diseases, digestive diseases, and nutrition. This funding opportunity focuses on pioneering approaches that address significant scientific challenges, advance fundamental understanding, and lead to groundbreaking results. Projects must be distinct from ongoing research in the investigator’s program and cannot simply be extensions or incremental progress of current work.

The Catalyst Award aims to stimulate high-risk, high-reward research by supporting creative scientists who propose unconventional hypotheses or radically novel approaches. It is specifically targeted at research that has the potential to revolutionize understanding and treatment of diseases central to NIDDK’s mission, particularly within the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DEMD) and the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (DDN). Research topics of interest include diabetes, metabolic disorders, endocrine biology, digestive system diseases, liver conditions, exocrine pancreatic disorders, obesity, nutrition, gut-brain interactions, microbiome-host dynamics, and the role of social determinants of health. Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact NIDDK staff to confirm alignment with the program’s goals prior to applying.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, local governments, and Tribal organizations. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. entities are not eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by individuals (single PD/PI only), and each investigator must commit a minimum of four person-months of effort annually to the proposed project. The maximum award budget is $500,000 per year in direct costs, with a total project period not exceeding five years. NIDDK expects to fund up to six awards, committing $4.8 million in Fiscal Year 2026.

Applications must be prepared and submitted via Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system and adhere to the guidelines provided in the NIH Application Guide. A letter of intent is encouraged but not required, and applications are due by July 18, 2025. The submission process requires several registrations, including SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. The required application format includes a five-page essay describing the proposed research challenge, innovativeness, how the work diverges from previous or ongoing projects, and its suitability for the Catalyst Award program. No detailed research plan, specific aims, or preliminary data are required, as the award supports evolving projects.

Review criteria emphasize the significance of the research challenge, the degree of innovation, and the transformative potential of the proposed work. Reviewers will assess the project’s high-risk, high-reward nature and whether it represents a new research direction for the applicant. Additional factors include the investigator’s creativity and qualifications, as well as the resources and environment supporting the research. Proposals will undergo peer review, and final funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, alignment with NIDDK priorities, and availability of funds.

Successful applicants must comply with NIH policies on data management, sharing, and resource dissemination. Tools, reagents, and protocols developed under the Catalyst Award are expected to be made publicly available with minimal restrictions to enable broader scientific progress. Awardees will be required to submit annual progress reports and fulfill post-award monitoring and reporting requirements, including adherence to NIH data-sharing policies. For questions or guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact NIDDK program officials listed in the announcement.