NIDDK Catalyst Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 26 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 26 006

The NIDDK Catalyst Award (DP1, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases aimed at backing individual investigators who want to pursue bold, high-risk, high-reward research ideas that could reshape thinking or practice in areas tied to NIDDKs Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and its Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition. The program is meant to complement, not replace, NIDDKs standard investigator-initiated mechanisms by creating room for unusually innovative projects that may not fit neatly into more traditional funding lanes. The central emphasis is on tackling major scientific challenges with a clear line of sight to unusually high impact on diseases and conditions that sit at the core of these two divisions missions, such as metabolic disease, diabetes and endocrine disorders, and digestive disease and nutrition-related conditions.

A key feature of this award is the expectation that the proposed work represents a genuinely new direction. To be considered responsive, an application needs to point to a new and novel scientific trajectory that is distinct from what the investigator is already doing in their current research program and also distinct from approaches already being widely pursued elsewhere in the field. In practical terms, the application should make a convincing case that the idea is pioneering and transformational rather than incremental, and that the strategy or conceptual framing breaks from established paths in a way that could unlock major advances if successful. As indicated in the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity, so proposed studies should be structured accordingly.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category as listed); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

There are also important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which means certain project elements may be conducted with foreign collaboration or performance sites if structured in a way NIH allows and justified within the policy framework, even though the primary applicant organization must be domestic.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed as RFA-DK-26-006, falls under the grant funding instrument type, and is categorized under Food and Nutrition and Health (CFDA 93.847). The posting indicates an award ceiling of $500,000. The original closing date is July 18, 2025, and the opportunity was created on December 18, 2024.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDDK Catalyst Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2024-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-18. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for RFA DK 26 006

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: