Coordinating Unit for Diabetic Complications Consortium (U24) | RFA DK 16 036

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 16 036

The grant opportunity titled "Coordinating Unit for Diabetic Complications Consortium (U24)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DK-16-036) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It falls under the broad funding activity area of health (and related food and nutrition interests) and is cataloged under CFDA number 93.847. The opportunity was created on November 7, 2016, with an original application closing date of January 12, 2017. NIH anticipated making a single award under this announcement, with an award ceiling of $3,122,000, indicating a relatively large, centralized coordinating function rather than multiple smaller research project grants.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the Coordinating Unit for the NIDDK Diabetic Complications Consortium, commonly referred to as the DiaComp Coordinating Unit (DiaComp-CU). The central role of this Coordinating Unit is not to run a single laboratory research project, but to serve as the organizational and operational hub that enables the broader consortium to function efficiently and consistently. In practical terms, the award supports infrastructure and coordination activities that help unify researchers, resources, communications, and program management across the consortium, which is focused on diabetic complications.

A major responsibility emphasized in the description is the continued enhancement and maintenance of the DiaComp website. This implies an ongoing need for a stable, well-managed online platform that likely serves as the consortiums public face and internal coordination tool, supporting dissemination of resources, updates, and potentially shared tools or information relevant to diabetic complications research. The language about "continue to enhance and maintain" suggests the website already exists and is expected to be improved over time rather than built from scratch, including routine upkeep, content management, and upgrades to better serve the consortium community.

In addition to web-based support, the DiaComp-CU is expected to provide administrative oversight for consortium meetings and "opportunity pool programs." Administrative oversight of meetings generally includes planning, scheduling, logistics, coordination of agendas, tracking action items, facilitating communication among members, and ensuring consistent documentation and follow-through. The mention of opportunity pool programs points to a structured mechanism within the consortium for allocating or managing certain programmatic opportunities, which could involve coordinating application cycles, supporting review or selection processes, tracking awards or access, and maintaining records and communications related to those activities. While the provided text does not define the opportunity pool in detail, the intent is clear that the Coordinating Unit is responsible for organizing and administering these consortium-wide programs so they run smoothly and transparently.

Because this is a cooperative agreement (U24), it signals that NIH expects to have substantial involvement in the funded activities compared with a standard grant mechanism. Cooperative agreements typically involve active collaboration, shared decision-making, and ongoing interaction between the awardee and the NIH program staff. In this context, that aligns with a coordinating unit role where NIH and NIDDK would likely remain closely engaged to ensure the consortium infrastructure and administrative functions meet program goals and serve the broader research community effectively.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories as listed); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The inclusion of such a wide range of applicant types reflects that the work is largely coordination, administration, and resource management, which can be hosted by universities, research institutes, nonprofits, or other capable entities with the relevant operational capacity, technical expertise, and program management infrastructure.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as support for a single, central entity that keeps the Diabetic Complications Consortium connected and functional by maintaining key shared infrastructure (the DiaComp website) and managing consortium operations (meetings and opportunity pool programs). The scale of the award ceiling and the expectation of only one award reinforce that the objective is to fund one coordinating hub that can provide consistent leadership and administrative continuity for the consortium rather than funding multiple independent groups to do similar coordination work in parallel.

• 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 "Coordinating Unit for Diabetic Complications Consortium (U24)" 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 Nov 07, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 12, 2017. (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 $3,122,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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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