Human Islet Research Network - Consortium on Targeting and Regeneration (HIRN-CTAR) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 22 009

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 22 009

The Human Islet Research Network - Consortium on Targeting and Regeneration (HIRN-CTAR) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-22-009) is an NIH cooperative agreement (U01) focused on accelerating research strategies that can increase, restore, or preserve functional human beta cell mass for people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The central scientific goal is to tackle one of the core problems in T1D: the loss and ongoing vulnerability of insulin-producing beta cells. This FOA is designed to support a coordinated consortium effort, meaning NIH expects funded teams to collaborate closely with NIH program staff and with other network components rather than operate as isolated, single-lab projects. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, so the work is expected to stay in preclinical, translational, and mechanistic research spaces rather than testing interventions in human trial settings.

The research scope emphasizes innovative and controllable approaches to either expand beta cell numbers or protect remaining beta cells from immune-mediated destruction. The FOA highlights several main scientific paths: stimulating or controlling beta cell replication (encouraging existing beta cells to divide safely and effectively), leveraging islet cell plasticity (pushing endocrine cells within islets to shift identity or function in a beneficial way), and reprogramming pancreatic non-beta cells into beta-like cells (converting other pancreatic cell types into insulin-producing cells or cells that behave similarly). In parallel, the announcement explicitly includes strategies aimed at shielding residual beta cell mass from the autoimmune environment, reflecting the reality that even if beta cells can be regenerated, they may remain susceptible to the same immune attack that caused the disease in the first place. Overall, CTAR sits at the intersection of beta cell biology, regenerative medicine, islet biology, and immune protection strategies, with an emphasis on approaches that are mechanistically grounded and plausibly translatable to future therapies.

CTAR is part of the broader Human Islet Research Network (HIRN), which is an NIH-supported collaborative framework centered on human islet biology and diabetes. Being part of HIRN implies that CTAR projects are expected to contribute to shared consortium goals, potentially including coordinated data generation, use of common resources, harmonized methods, and active participation in network meetings and collaborative activities. Because this is a cooperative agreement mechanism, NIH typically plays an active role in shaping consortium coordination, milestone tracking, and integration across funded groups, with the intent of speeding progress through organized teamwork and shared infrastructure.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S. applicant organization types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and a wide range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special district governments, independent school districts, and federally recognized tribal governments). The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories 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 Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. U.S. territories or possessions are included as eligible. At the same time, the FOA draws clear lines around foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant can include certain well-justified international collaborations or activities as part of the project, subject to NIH rules and approval.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding, uses the cooperative agreement instrument (U01), and is associated with the National Institutes of Health. The activity category is listed under Food and Nutrition, Health, and the CFDA number provided is 93.847. The original closing date listed is 2022-10-26, the record creation date is 2022-07-13, and the award ceiling is stated as $600,000. The announcement also lists expected awards, although the number is not specified in the provided text.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Human Islet Research Network - Consortium on Targeting and Regeneration (HIRN-CTAR) (U01 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 2022-07-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-26. (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 $600,000.00 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 22 009

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