Cystic Fibrosis Research and Translation Core Center (P30) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cystic Fibrosis Research and Translation Core Center (P30) funding opportunity?

It is an NIH funding opportunity (RFA-DK-13-007) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) that supports the creation or continuation of specialized “core center” hubs focused on cystic fibrosis (CF). It uses the NIH P30 center core grant mechanism to strengthen and accelerate both basic science and clinical CF research by concentrating expertise, infrastructure, and shared services at institutions with a strong CF research track record.

What is the primary goal of this P30 center program?

The goal is to improve the efficiency, quality, and speed of CF research and translation by funding shared core resources, administrative infrastructure, and pilot projects that multiple investigators can use. The program is designed to reduce duplication across labs, improve access to specialized capabilities, and help move discoveries toward potential CF therapies.

Is this grant intended to fund a single research project?

No. This P30 mechanism is not designed to fund one standalone research project. It is meant to build and maintain a center-style environment where multiple investigators can access centralized capabilities and shared services that enable and accelerate CF research.

What are the main required components of a CF Research and Translation Core Center?

Centers are designed around three integrated components: (1) Research Cores that provide shared scientific resources and technical services, (2) a Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) program that supports smaller early-stage or high-impact studies, and (3) an Administrative Core that manages governance and operations, paired with an enrichment program to strengthen the CF research community.

What kinds of services can be offered through the Research Cores?

The Research Cores are shared resources and technical services used by multiple CF investigators. Examples described include specialized assays, model systems, biostatistics support, clinical research support infrastructure, and other enabling capabilities that would be difficult or inefficient for individual laboratories to maintain independently.

What is the Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) program and what is it for?

The Pilot and Feasibility program sets aside funds for smaller, early-stage, or potentially high-impact studies. It is intended to help investigators generate preliminary data, explore innovative directions, and become better positioned to compete for larger independent research awards later.

What does the Administrative Core do?

The Administrative Core manages the center’s governance, tracking, communications, and overall operations. It supports coordination across center components and helps ensure the center functions effectively as a shared resource for CF investigators.

What is the enrichment program referenced in the opportunity?

The enrichment program is intended to build and connect the CF research community through activities such as seminars, invited speakers, workshops, trainee development, and other collaboration-focused efforts that keep investigators engaged with emerging science and clinical needs.

How does this opportunity emphasize translation to therapies?

Translation is a major theme. The centers are expected to help move promising ideas toward new CF treatments by supporting the development, refinement, and testing of potential therapies, and by strengthening the infrastructure and collaborations that speed translation from discovery to clinical impact.

What types of institutions is NIDDK aiming to fund through this FOA?

The FOA is oriented toward established environments with documented excellence in both basic and clinical CF research. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a substantial, active CF research portfolio and a community of investigators who will use and benefit from shared core services.

How many CF Research and Translation Centers does NIDDK already support?

NIDDK notes that it already supports five CF Research and Translation Centers at institutions with documented excellence in basic and clinical CF research.

Which agency and institute are sponsoring this announcement?

The sponsor is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

What is the funding mechanism used for this program?

This is a discretionary grant program using the NIH P30 “center core grant” structure.

What is the estimated total funding amount and the award ceiling?

The estimated total funding listed is $6,000,000, and the stated award ceiling is $750,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity.

When was the opportunity posted and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted January 14, 2014. The application closing date was June 18, 2014, and the archive date was July 19, 2014.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and governments, consistent with NIH’s approach to domestic applicants that can demonstrate strong research excellence and administrative capacity. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations, small businesses (also listed as eligible), and many governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities).

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included in eligibility?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations and U.S. territories or possessions, provided NIH requirements are met and the organization can carry out the center’s mission.

Can a foreign (non-U.S.) institution apply as the applicant organization?

No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization for this opportunity.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Are foreign components allowed at all under this FOA?

Yes. “Foreign components,” as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed when included by a U.S. applicant and when they are well-justified, integral to the science, and compliant with NIH policy, even though the applicant organization and primary award must be domestic.

What would a strong applicant institution generally be expected to demonstrate?

An applicant would be expected to show a substantial, active CF research portfolio and a community of investigators who will use and benefit from shared core services. The application should clearly explain how the proposed cores and pilot program fill critical gaps, enhance productivity, improve rigor and reproducibility, and accelerate progress toward meaningful clinical impact for people living with cystic fibrosis.

Where were the full application instructions and NIH requirements provided?

Additional details, including specific application instructions and NIH requirements, were provided in the full FOA available through the NIH Grants Guide (linked in the opportunity).

Who is listed as a contact for access or technical issues related to the FOA?

The opportunity includes NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) web support contact information for access or technical issues.