Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) Pancreas Knowledgebase Program (PanKbase) (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 22 018

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 22 018

The Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) Pancreas Knowledgebase Program (PanKbase) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-22-018) is an NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) cooperative agreement (U24) focused on sustaining and expanding the NIDDK Information Network, known as dkNET, through a dedicated dkNET Coordinating Unit (dkNET-CU). The central idea is to strengthen the data-science backbone for NIDDK-related research communities by operating and continuously improving an information portal that helps researchers find and use relevant biomedical resources. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose clinical trials as part of the work supported under this award.

At its core, dkNET is positioned as a connective hub rather than a single dataset or a single tool. The program emphasizes making it easier for researchers to discover and access data, software, analytical platforms, and other research resources that are scattered across many repositories and institutions. Beyond simple discovery, dkNET is expected to support data-driven hypothesis generation, which typically implies improving how resources are indexed, linked, and presented so scientists can identify patterns, gaps, and opportunities for new research questions. A major theme is enabling and encouraging FAIR practices (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). In practical terms, that points to work such as improving metadata quality, adopting or aligning with community standards, enhancing interoperability across databases and tools, and promoting reusable data and workflows.

The FOA also highlights rigor and reproducibility as a program priority. That generally means dkNET is expected to help the community not only locate resources, but also use them in ways that support transparent methods, well-described provenance, and repeatable analyses. The coordinating unit is expected to provide scientific direction, long-term vision, and administrative management to advance dkNET goals, which signals that this is not simply a maintenance contract. Instead, it is a coordinated, evolving program where the awardee will lead planning, prioritize enhancements, manage operations, and likely coordinate with NIDDK program staff and stakeholders under the cooperative agreement structure, where NIH typically has substantial programmatic involvement compared to standard grants.

Community engagement and workforce development are also called out as key components. This indicates that dkNET is expected to operate as a community-facing platform, not just a back-end infrastructure project. Typical activities aligned with this goal include outreach to researchers and trainees, training materials or workshops, user support, feedback loops to guide improvements, and initiatives that broaden adoption of data-sharing standards and best practices across the NIDDK research ecosystem. The emphasis on engagement suggests the coordinating unit will need to actively cultivate relationships with relevant scientific communities, resource providers, and other stakeholders to keep dkNET current and useful.

Eligibility is broad across public and private organizations. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible. The FOA additionally highlights categories such as Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.

Foreign eligibility is restricted in a way that is common for NIH infrastructure-focused opportunities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified international elements within the project under NIH rules, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.

From an administrative standpoint, the sponsoring agency is NIH, the assistance listing/CFDA number is 93.847, and the opportunity falls under the broad activity category of food and nutrition and health. The original closing date shown is 2023-03-31, and the FOA creation date is 2022-10-04. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source text, which often means applicants need to consult the full FOA or associated NIH documentation for budget and award expectations. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at supporting a coordinating unit that can lead dkNET forward as a modern, community-centered biomedical research portal, with strong emphasis on FAIR data practices, reproducible science, and sustained engagement with NIDDK-related research communities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) Pancreas Knowledgebase Program (PanKbase) (U24 - 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 2022-10-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-03-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 22 018

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