Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Continuation of the NIDDK Hematology Central Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Key Dates

• October 21, 2019- NIDDK Hematology Central Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See NOFO RFA-DK-19-013.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

The NIDDK intends to renew an initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for a Hematology Coordinating Center (HCC) for the NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) Program. The HCC is expected to work collaboratively with up to 5 CCEHs as part of the NIDDK CCEH Program, which serves as a national resource for the larger nonmalignant hematology research community. The HCC will (1) provide central administrative support for the NIDDK CCEH Program, including monitoring the usage and progress of all CCEH sites, (2) develop and execute a communication and promotion plan to disseminate all CCEH resources, news, seminars, funding opportunities and activities to their intended audience(s), (3) develop and implement a multipronged education/enrichment plan for junior researchers and students interested in conducting hematology research to maximize national outreach and impact, (4) create and administer an Opportunity Pool of funds to support national and regional enrichment programs, a national Pilot and Feasibility Grant program, and other innovative programs to address gaps in the field and promote collaboration among the Centers. All activities within the Program are expected to address the overall goal of supporting the national multidisciplinary research effort to study normal hematopoiesis and to combat nonmalignant hematologic diseases.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP). 

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. 

The NOFO is expected to be published in December 2024 with an expected application due date in March 2025.

This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

Background

The NIDDK CCEH Program aims to increase access to critical research resources and enhance collaboration in the national multidisciplinary research effort to study normal hematopoiesis and combat non-malignant hematologic diseases. The Program aims to foster broad, highly meritorious basic and translational research on questions of critical importance; provide innovative, state-of-the-art technologies, knowledge, and expertise to support the larger hematology community; engage and attract new and established investigators to research on hematopoiesis and nonmalignant hematological disorders; and promote the development of junior scientists beginning their careers in the hematology field. The Program consists of up to five Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEHs) and a Hematology Coordinating Center (HCC). The synergy created through these interactions is expected to advance both the science and build the greater hematology community of investigators well beyond the capacity of any individual center.

The overall goal of the HCC is to 1) promote coordination and sharing of novel research strategies among the Centers; 2) enhance interaction and communication between the CCEH Program and the community, and 3) facilitate the activities of the greater NIDDK CCEH Program. All activities of the NIDDK CCEH Program, including the research projects awarded through the P&F Program, must be in line with the research mission of the NIDDK Hematology program (see https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/hematologic-diseases).

Research Objectives

In support of the broader mission of the CCEH Program and under the direction of the NIDDK CCEH Program Steering Committee (SC), the Hematology Coordinating Center (HCC) will: 

Administration:

• Provide central administrative support to the CCEH Program including convening monthly meetings.
• Develop and implement a rigorous Consortium-wide QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) management plan for all CCEH resources.
• Plan, organize and support at least one annual face-to-face meeting for the NIDDK CCEH Program, including Steering Committee (SC) members, core directors and users from each CCEH, investigators supported by the P&F Program, and others as appropriate.
• Coordinate evaluation of Hematology Center Core Resource activities, including collecting user and usage tables from each CCEH site twice yearly as well as monitoring and reporting program objectives/targets, outcomes (publications, etc.), challenges and proposed solutions. Findings from these evaluations should be used to promote the continuous improvement of current hematology resources, based on user engagement and in anticipation of future needs of hematology researchers, ensuring validation of new resources, or establishing a dynamic space that promotes innovative new resources.
• Develop and manage a user-friendly CCEH website for internal and external communication, including information on CCEH funding opportunities and a portal for accessing resources available at all CCEH cores, protocols, data, tools and other program deliverables.
• Identify and leverage communication channels (e.g., social media, professional conferences) that are most likely to engage the wider nonmalignant hematology research community.
• Schedule and facilitate virtual CCEH Program seminar series, scientific meetings, and office hours.
• Facilitate sharing of resources and data within the NIDDK CCEH Program and with the wider nonmalignant hematology research community.
• Design and implement enrichment program(s) for junior and early stage investigators to join and collaborate with the CCEH programs, including mentoring, virtual office hours, seminar series, virtual workshops, etc.
• Support short term sabbaticals for investigators to travel to U54 Centers to learn new methods that will enhance nonmalignant hematological research and the widespread usage of new technologies.
• Coordinate and support implementation of novel enrichment programs proposed by individual CCEHs, including scaling up existing successful CCEH enrichment activities nationally via the Opportunity Pool.

Communication:

• Develop and execute a strategic communication plan to both raise awareness of and enable access to the resources offered through the CCEH Program to the wider nonmalignant hematology research community.

Enrichment:

• Develop and implement a multipronged professional development program for junior researchers and students interested in conducting NIDDK mission-relevant hematology research including travel awards and educational opportunities.                                                                                                                                  

Opportunity Pool:

• Create, establish, and administer a national Opportunity Pool program to address gaps or form new partnerships including pilot and feasibility grants, enrichment programs, and emerging approaches and opportunities that may be unknown at the time of application. Applicants should outline a plan to adapt to evolving objectives and approaches that will address the changing needs of investigators in Hematology. The organization of the Opportunity Pool Program should be flexible as the size and use of the pool may change, but at a minimum, it should:
  • Develop and administer the Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) Program to encourage junior and early stage investigators in the nonmalignant hematology field and attract established investigators to bring in new concepts, technologies, and approaches. Basic and translational research projects are encouraged. The P&F Program is not intended to support or supplement ongoing research of an established nonmalignant hematology investigator. It is expected that P&F projects will generate preliminary data and collaborations to support future significant research grant applications, such as NIDDK investigator-initiated R01s.
  • Develop and/or support enrichment programs that promote innovative development activities at each CCEH while making them available to junior investigators and students nationwide.
  • Support the CCEH Program in its yearly assessment of infrastructure and resource needs. Promote and adapt emerging approaches and establishing strategic partnerships or opportunities that may address the changing needs of investigators in Hematology.
     

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Shilpa Hattangadi, MD
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-827-7442
Email: [email protected]