Consortium on Targeting And Regeneration (CTAR) HIRN (UC4) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIH CTAR (HIRN) Funding Opportunity (RFA-DK-13-015)

What is the CTAR funding opportunity (RFA-DK-13-015)?

CTAR stands for the Consortium on Targeting and Regeneration. It was a discretionary grant solicitation issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DK-13-015. The program was designed to launch a coordinated research consortium focused on increasing functional human beta cell mass in vivo.

Which NIH effort was CTAR associated with?

CTAR was positioned as a component of the Human Islet Research Network (HIRN). This means awardees were expected to operate as part of a broader NIH-organized network focused on advancing human islet biology and improving understanding and treatment strategies for diabetes.

What was the core scientific goal of CTAR?

The central goal was to develop and test innovative approaches that could restore or expand insulin-producing capacity inside the body. The focus was on addressing a key challenge in diabetes: the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells.

Was the emphasis on in vivo outcomes or in vitro (lab dish) work?

The throughline across the FOA themes was functional improvement in vivo. The intent was not simply to generate cells in a dish, but to drive meaningful, controlled, and clinically relevant beta cell restoration within living systems.

What major research strategy areas did the FOA emphasize?

The FOA emphasized three major strategy areas: controlled manipulation of beta cell replication, islet plasticity, and reprogramming of adult non-beta cells into beta-like cells.

What does "controlled manipulation of beta cell replication" mean in this context?

It refers to identifying ways to safely encourage existing human beta cells to divide and increase in number, with an emphasis on controlled and functional outcomes in vivo.

What is meant by "islet plasticity" in the CTAR scope?

Islet plasticity reflects interest in how islet cells might adapt, shift identity, or recover function under certain conditions, and how those processes could potentially be guided therapeutically.

What does the FOA mean by reprogramming adult non-beta cells into beta-like cells?

This theme covered projects aimed at converting other mature (adult) cell types into cells capable of producing insulin and behaving like beta cells, with emphasis on functional relevance in vivo.

What funding mechanism did CTAR use?

CTAR used a Cooperative Agreement mechanism (UC4). This mechanism typically indicates substantial NIH involvement beyond standard grant oversight.

What does the UC4 cooperative agreement imply about NIH involvement?

Based on the description provided, applicants were expected to operate as consortium members with shared goals, coordination, and likely common policies for collaboration, data sharing, and alignment with HIRN priorities, reflecting substantial NIH involvement.

Were awardees expected to work independently or as part of a coordinated consortium?

Awardees were not expected to work in isolation. The opportunity was designed around a consortium model under HIRN, with coordination and shared goals across participating projects.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the initiative?

NIH estimated total funding of about $11,000,000 for the initiative.

What was the award ceiling for individual awards?

The award ceiling was $600,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was indicated.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 93.847, described as Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research.

What activity category was CTAR listed under?

The activity category was listed under Food and Nutrition / Health.

When was the opportunity posted and created?

It was posted and created on September 26, 2013.

What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date was February 27, 2014.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on March 30, 2014, indicating it is no longer open.

Why might CTAR still be useful to review if it is archived?

Even though it is no longer open, it remains a useful reference for understanding HIRN/CTAR priorities and the type of coordinated, translationally relevant beta cell regeneration work NIH sought to catalyze at that time.

What types of U.S. organizations were eligible to apply?

Eligibility included a wide range of domestic U.S. organizations and governments, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (with noted exception language), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts, and certain housing authorities).

Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly allowed applications from tribal governments and tribal organizations, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal entities.

Were foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA allowed non-domestic entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) to apply.

Could non-domestic components of U.S. organizations participate?

Yes. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations were eligible.

Were foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) allowed?

Yes. The FOA stated that foreign components, as defined by NIH policy, were allowed.

Did the eligibility list include institutions serving specific populations (for example HBCUs or HSIs)?

Yes. Additional eligible applicant categories included HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and other categories described in the opportunity summary.

Were faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations were included among eligible applicant categories.

Were U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions were included among eligible applicant categories.

Were regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations were listed among eligible applicant categories.

Were eligible federal agencies included as applicants?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies were included in the eligibility list.

Where could applicants find the full funding opportunity announcement details?

NIH provided an additional information link to the full FOA on the NIH grants website.

What contact was provided for technical or access issues with the announcement?

Contact information included NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster addresses for access or linking issues, indicating technical assistance was available for retrieving the announcement electronically.

In one sentence, what was CTAR designed to accelerate?

CTAR was structured to accelerate collaborative, translationally relevant science aimed at regenerating or replacing beta cell function through replication, plasticity, and reprogramming approaches under the coordinated umbrella of HIRN.