Request for Information: Call for Innovative Ideas to Advance Prevention, Treatment and Cure of Type 1 Diabetes

RELEASE DATE:  August 31, 2004

NOTICE: NOT-DK-04-013

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 
 (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/)

PURPOSE

To invite ideas for opportunities that can accelerate research progress and 
overcome current research barriers to the prevention, treatment and cure of 
type 1 diabetes and its complications.   

BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads a Special Statutory Funding 
Program ($150 million/year) for Type 1 Diabetes Research, on behalf of the 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  The special 
program supports research to pursue compelling opportunities in type 1 
diabetes research (more information on the program can be found at: 
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/diabetesspecialfunds/).  The program is framed 
around six broad, scientific goals: 
Goal I: Identify the Genetic and Environmental Causes of Type 1 Diabetes 
Goal II: Prevent or Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
Goal III: Develop Cell Replacement Therapy
Goal IV: Prevent or Reduce Hypoglycemia
Goal V: Prevent or Reduce the Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
Goal VI: Attract New Talent and Apply New Technologies to Research on Type 
1 Diabetes 

INFORMATION REQUESTED

The NIDDK invites submission of innovative ideas and approaches toward 
accelerating progress and overcoming research barriers to the prevention, 
treatment and cure of type 1 diabetes and its complications.  There is 
significant flexibility in the use of the special funds; opportunities could 
be pursued through solicitations for traditional research grants or through 
mechanisms to support larger collaborative efforts.  Suggestions should focus 
on identifying the opportunity and approaches, technology and expertise 
useful for its development rather than on a funding instrument or 
solicitation design.  Suggestions that will involve creative scientists and 
scientific communities not currently working on type 1 diabetes, and with the 
potential to contribute to prevention, treatment and cure of type 1 diabetes, 
are particularly encouraged.   

RESPONSE AND PROCESS

Submissions in response to this RFI will be considered by NIH and CDC 
scientists and by an ad hoc evaluation panel to be convened by the NIDDK as 
part of the process guiding use of the Special Statutory Funding Program for 
Type 1 Diabetes Research. 

This Request for Information is for information and planning purposes only 
and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part 
of the NIDDK.  The NIDDK does not intend to award a grant or contract on the 
basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information 
submitted or the Government's use of such information.  Acknowledgment of 
receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of 
the Institute's evaluation of the information received.  Responses will not 
be held in a confidential manner.  Responses may be anonymous.  

Please describe your suggested opportunity or approach including: (1) how it 
could potentially have a major, positive impact on one or more of the six 
goals above, and/or (2) the current research barriers it could help overcome.  
You may submit more than one idea, but please limit the description of each 
to one page in length.  

For full consideration, submissions are due by Friday, October 22, 2004.  

For electronic submission, please visit the following website: 
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/forms/T1D-Opportunity.htm.  For hard-copy 
submission, please mail or FAX your submission(s) to: 

Mary C. Hanlon, Ph.D. 
NIH/NIDDK/OSPPA
9000 Rockville Pike
Building 31, Room 9A05
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
Phone: 301-496-6623
FAX: 301-480-6741

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