Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 16 032
Apply for RFA DK 16 032
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pediatric Centers of Excellence in Nephrology (P50)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 11, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 02, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Pediatric Centers of Excellence in Nephrology (PCEN) (P50) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-16-032) is a National Institutes of Health program run under the Department of Health and Human Services, with leadership from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It is designed to build and sustain specialized, center-based research programs focused on pediatric kidney disease, explicitly supporting both basic science and clinical research. The overall aim is to strengthen the field by creating well-coordinated hubs where investigators can collaborate across disciplines, generate new discoveries about pediatric kidney biology and disease, and translate those discoveries toward improved diagnostics, prevention strategies, and treatments for children.
A central emphasis of the program is talent and field expansion: the FOA seeks to keep drawing new scientific expertise into pediatric kidney research, including experts who may not traditionally work in pediatric nephrology but have relevant skills in areas like genetics, developmental biology, immunology, bioengineering, data science, pharmacology, or systems biology. Alongside that, the program stresses multidisciplinary collaboration as a deliberate strategy, encouraging teams that can connect mechanistic studies of kidney development and pathophysiology with patient-centered clinical investigation and model systems. In practical terms, the PCEN structure is meant to make it easier to tackle complex pediatric kidney disorders by integrating diverse methods and perspectives within a single coordinated center framework.
Another major priority is translational potential. The FOA explicitly encourages projects that explore new research directions with a clear line of sight to translation, meaning work that can move from fundamental biological insight toward clinically meaningful applications. This can include developing and validating biomarkers, identifying therapeutic targets, improving disease stratification, refining or creating relevant disease models, or designing approaches that ultimately influence clinical care for pediatric populations. The program is not limited to one disease type; it broadly supports research on pediatric kidney disease, which can encompass congenital anomalies, inherited nephropathies, glomerular disorders, tubular disorders, acute kidney injury in children, progression to chronic kidney disease, and other pediatric-specific kidney conditions.
A distinguishing feature of this center program is its strong push for Developmental Research (DR) and Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) studies. These are intended to fund early-stage, high-potential ideas that may be too preliminary for a full-scale R01 at the outset, but that could become competitive R01 applications after generating proof-of-concept data. In other words, PCEN centers are expected to function as engines for innovation by seeding new projects, helping investigators gather critical preliminary results, and then using those results to launch stand-alone, investigator-initiated R01 grant submissions. This emphasis aligns with an NIH-wide goal of using center mechanisms not only to produce publications, but also to create a pipeline of new independent research projects that can be sustained beyond the center award.
The FOA also clarifies how PCEN fits into the broader NIDDK center ecosystem. These Pediatric Centers of Excellence in Nephrology are positioned as complementary to the O’Brien Kidney and Urological Research Centers. That framing suggests PCEN is meant to strengthen pediatric-focused kidney research capacity and infrastructure in a way that aligns with, but does not duplicate, existing kidney and urology center resources supported by NIDDK. Applicants are implicitly expected to understand this landscape and to design their centers to add distinct value for pediatric kidney research, potentially through pediatric cohorts, child-focused clinical studies, developmental physiology expertise, and pediatric-relevant model systems.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH P50 center grant mechanism. The posted award ceiling is $750,000 (as listed in the source data), and the FOA anticipated making about 2 awards. The opportunity falls under the health-related funding activity category (the listing includes “Food and Nutrition, Healthâ€) and is associated with CFDA number 93.847. The FOA record shows it was created July 11, 2016, with an original application closing date of November 2, 2016, indicating this specific announcement was tied to that historical submission window.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations that commonly apply to NIH: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), as well as various governmental entities (state, county, city/township governments, special district governments), independent school districts, and eligible Native American tribal governments and organizations, plus public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also notes an “Others†category with additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement text, which typically means applicants should review the full FOA for any specific constraints or requirements that are not captured in the summary fields.
In short, the PCEN (P50) program is aimed at building pediatric nephrology research centers that combine basic and clinical science, deliberately recruit new expertise, promote multidisciplinary collaboration, and generate pilot results that mature into competitive R01-level projects. The program’s design reflects a long-term strategy: strengthen the pediatric kidney research community, accelerate translationally relevant discoveries, and create a steady pipeline of independently funded projects that improve understanding and care of kidney disease in children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Pediatric Centers of Excellence in Nephrology (PCEN) program?
The Pediatric Centers of Excellence in Nephrology (PCEN) is an NIH center-based research funding opportunity that supports specialized programs focused on pediatric kidney disease. It uses the P50 center grant mechanism and is intended to build and sustain coordinated, multidisciplinary research hubs that bring investigators together to advance discoveries and improve outcomes for children with kidney disease.
Which federal agency runs this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is RFA-DK-16-032.
What grant mechanism is used?
The program uses the NIH P50 center grant mechanism, which supports coordinated, center-based research programs.
What is the main purpose or overall goal of PCEN?
The overall goal is to strengthen the pediatric kidney disease research field by creating well-coordinated centers where basic and clinical researchers can collaborate, generate new discoveries about pediatric kidney biology and disease, and translate those discoveries toward improved diagnostics, prevention strategies, and treatments for children.
Does PCEN support basic science, clinical research, or both?
Both. The program explicitly supports basic science and clinical research and encourages linking mechanistic studies (such as kidney development and disease pathways) with patient-centered clinical investigation and relevant model systems.
What kinds of research topics are within scope?
The scope broadly covers pediatric kidney disease. Examples mentioned include congenital anomalies, inherited nephropathies, glomerular disorders, tubular disorders, acute kidney injury in children, progression to chronic kidney disease, and other pediatric-specific kidney conditions.
Is the program limited to one pediatric kidney disease area?
No. The opportunity is described as broadly supporting research on pediatric kidney disease rather than focusing on a single disease type.
What does the program mean by encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration?
The program encourages teams that can integrate diverse disciplines and methods within a single coordinated center. The aim is to make it easier to tackle complex pediatric kidney disorders by combining expertise and connecting basic mechanistic work with clinical investigation and model systems.
Does PCEN encourage bringing in investigators who are new to pediatric nephrology?
Yes. A central emphasis is talent and field expansion, including drawing in experts who may not traditionally work in pediatric nephrology but have relevant expertise.
What kinds of non-traditional but relevant expertise does the FOA highlight?
The opportunity explicitly cites areas such as genetics, developmental biology, immunology, bioengineering, data science, pharmacology, and systems biology as examples of expertise that could strengthen pediatric kidney research when integrated into a PCEN center.
How important is translational research in this program?
Translational potential is a major priority. The FOA encourages projects with a clear line of sight from fundamental biology toward clinically meaningful applications for pediatric populations.
What are examples of translational outputs the FOA encourages?
Examples described include developing and validating biomarkers, identifying therapeutic targets, improving disease stratification, refining or creating relevant disease models, and designing approaches that could ultimately influence clinical care for children.
What are Developmental Research (DR) studies in PCEN?
Developmental Research (DR) studies are a highlighted feature of PCEN and are intended to support early-stage, high-potential ideas that may be too preliminary for a full-scale R01 at the start but could become competitive after generating proof-of-concept data.
What are Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) studies in PCEN?
Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) studies are designed to seed innovative, early-stage projects within the center so investigators can gather key preliminary results that position them for future independent research funding.
How do DR and P and F studies relate to future R01 applications?
The FOA describes PCEN centers as engines for innovation that help generate proof-of-concept data and then use that foundation to launch stand-alone, investigator-initiated R01 submissions.
Is the program designed only to produce publications?
No. While research outputs are part of the mission, the FOA emphasizes building a pipeline of new independent projects that can be sustained beyond the center award, including progression to competitive R01-level grants.
How does PCEN relate to the O'Brien Kidney and Urological Research Centers?
PCEN is positioned as complementary to the O'Brien Kidney and Urological Research Centers supported by NIDDK. The description indicates PCEN is intended to strengthen pediatric-focused kidney research capacity and infrastructure in ways that align with, but do not duplicate, existing center resources.
What kind of "distinct value" is PCEN expected to add compared with other NIDDK centers?
The summary suggests distinct pediatric value could include pediatric cohorts, child-focused clinical studies, expertise in developmental physiology, and pediatric-relevant model systems.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The posted award ceiling in the provided information is $750,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The FOA anticipated making about 2 awards.
Is this described as a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The information provided describes it as a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH P50 center mechanism.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.847.
What funding activity category is listed?
The listing includes the health-related category described as "Food and Nutrition, Health."
When was this FOA record created?
The FOA record is shown as created on July 11, 2016.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is November 2, 2016, indicating this specific announcement corresponded to a historical submission window.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organization types commonly eligible for NIH funding, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and various governmental entities.
Are state and local government entities eligible?
Yes. The summary includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments among eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible Native American tribal governments and organizations are included in the eligibility list.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are explicitly listed as eligible.
Are public housing authorities included in eligibility?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible entities.
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The FOA notes an "Others" category with additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement text, which implies applicants should consult the full FOA for any additional constraints or requirements not captured in the summary fields.
What is the long-term strategy behind PCEN?
The program is designed to strengthen the pediatric kidney research community, accelerate translationally relevant discoveries, and create a steady pipeline of independently funded projects that improve understanding and care of kidney disease in children.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DK 16 032) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| George M. O'Brien Kidney Research Core Centers (P30) Apply for RFA DK 16 031 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 031 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Promoting Organ and Tissue Donation Among Diverse Populations (R01) Apply for RFA DK 16 022 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 022 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Limited Competition for Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) (U24) Apply for RFA DK 16 510 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 510 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,062,000 |
| NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) Genetic Research Centers (GRCs) (U01) Apply for RFA DK 16 029 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $293,000 |
| Coordinating Unit for the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Centers (U24) Apply for RFA DK 16 034 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 034 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,212,563 |
| Coordinating Unit for Diabetic Complications Consortium (U24) Apply for RFA DK 16 036 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 036 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $3,122,000 |
| APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network Scientific and Data Research Center (APOLLO SDRC) (Collaborative U01) Apply for RFA DK 16 024 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 024 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Limited Competition: Data Coordinating Center for Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet (UC4) Apply for RFA DK 16 505 Funding Number: RFA DK 16 505 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $45,000,000 |
| Limited Competition: Revision Application for the Human Islet Research Network Coordinating Center (U01) Apply for RFA DK 17 501 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 501 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $4,737,500 |
| Developmental Centers for Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (P20) Apply for RFA DK 17 002 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| George M. O'Brien Kidney Research Core Centers (P30) Apply for RFA DK 17 005 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 005 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Limited Competition: Follow-up on Subjects and Immunological Assessments in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes In The Young Study (TEDDY) (UC4) Apply for RFA DK 17 508 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 508 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $27,000,000 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (U24) Apply for RFA HL 17 028 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 028 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $3,245,000 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (UM2) Apply for RFA HL 17 031 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 031 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (UM1) Apply for RFA HL 17 026 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 026 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (U54) Apply for RFA HL 17 025 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 025 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (R01) Apply for RFA HL 17 029 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (P50) Apply for RFA HL 17 032 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 032 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (R24) Apply for RFA HL 17 030 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 030 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
| Revision Applications for Regenerative Medicine Innovation Projects (RMIP) (U01) Apply for RFA HL 17 034 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 034 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $324,500 |
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