The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for the Central Coordinating Site (CCS) for the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Research Resource Consortium (RRC). This funding opportunity, issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), supports the development of a CCS to facilitate coordination and communication among PKD Core Centers and serve as a resource for the broader PKD research community. The CCS will focus on administrative support, data management, patient engagement, and overseeing a Pilot and Feasibility Award Program. This program aligns with the consortium's goals to advance PKD research by enhancing resource sharing and fostering a collaborative research community. The cooperative agreement under this opportunity will provide substantial support from NIH staff to guide project activities.

Applications must be submitted by a single institution, with each applicant institution permitted to submit only one proposal. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and various levels of government and tribal entities. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, but foreign components of U.S. institutions are allowed. The CCS Director, who should have expertise in administration and outreach, is not required to have a PKD background but should include a PKD-experienced co-investigator if necessary. The CCS will work in close collaboration with PKD Core Centers and the PKD RRC Steering Committee to achieve the program’s objectives.

The anticipated award budget is $350,000 per year in direct costs, with an additional $600,000 or more available annually for the Opportunity Pool, which will fund the Pilot and Feasibility Award Program. The project period is up to five years, with the award supporting necessary resources, personnel, outreach activities, and travel for an annual scientific symposium. A central aspect of the CCS's role is to enhance diverse perspectives within PKD research by developing a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which is a required component of the application.

The application process involves strict adherence to the NIH’s application guidelines, and proposals must be submitted electronically through one of three systems: NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution. The deadline for submitting the application is November 14, 2024, by 5:00 PM local time, with the earliest start date for awards anticipated in July 2025. An optional Letter of Intent is due October 14, 2024, to help NIH staff plan the review process. Compliance with NIH’s guidelines for data sharing, diversity plans, and resource sharing is required.

Review criteria for this funding opportunity will focus on the significance of the proposed CCS's contribution to PKD research, qualifications of the project team, innovation in management strategies, effectiveness of outreach and data-sharing plans, and institutional support. Specific review elements include the applicant’s plan to manage databases, coordinate resource sharing, and integrate patient perspectives, as well as strategies to foster diversity within the research consortium. Proposals will be scored based on these elements, and applications lacking a robust PEDP will be administratively withdrawn.

For successful applicants, NIH will issue a Notice of Award specifying terms and conditions, including cooperative responsibilities, compliance with data management policies, and reporting requirements. The NIH staff, including an NIDDK Project Scientist, will provide substantial input on project activities, such as resource sharing and communication strategies, as part of the cooperative agreement.