Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (U2C - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 26 115

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 26 115

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and its Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (KUH), is offering the "Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training" under the U2C cooperative agreement mechanism (PAR-26-115). This opportunity is focused on strengthening and sustaining the research workforce in non-malignant kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, covering both adult and pediatric conditions. The central aim is to help institutions recruit, train, and retain the next generation of researchers by providing structured training environments plus coordinated support, shared resources, mentoring, and professional networks that improve trainees' chances of long-term success and leadership in the field.

A key feature of this program is its networked structure. Funded programs are expected to operate not just as standalone training efforts, but as active nodes in a national coalition called the Kidney, Urology and Hematology Research-Training Network (KUHR-TN). In practice, this means awardees should plan for coordinated activities with other funded sites, such as community-building among trainees, shared career development programming, cross-institutional mentorship opportunities, and other network-based elements that create a more connected training ecosystem. The notice also emphasizes increased flexibility for institutional training programs, reflecting KUH's intent to accommodate diverse institutional strengths, training models, and local workforce needs.

Institutions are invited to submit a single, unified U2C-TL1 application to maximize integration and build a cohesive trainee community within the applicant organization(s). The program does not require that an applicant cover every kidney, urologic, and hematologic discipline; applicants can focus on areas that align with their expertise and the NIDDK KUH mission. If it makes sense for the training plan, applications may also involve multiple departments and, where feasible, multiple institutions, which can broaden mentorship options and research environments available to trainees while still being organized under one integrated application.

The award uses a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates a more substantial level of NIH program involvement than a standard grant. While the NOFO title explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," the emphasis is on research training rather than conducting clinical trials as part of the funded activities. Applicants should therefore shape proposed training experiences, mentoring structures, and research projects accordingly, keeping the program squarely within non-clinical-trial parameters as defined by NIH.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizational types and includes state, county, and local 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/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities as described in the NOFO. The opportunity is categorized under Health and is associated with CFDA 93.847.

There are important restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. At the same time, NIH policy effective May 1, 2025, prohibits NIH from issuing awards that include foreign subawards or subcontracts unless the application is submitted to a NOFO specifically designated for funded international collaborations. As a result, any application to this NOFO that includes foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding. This restriction does not bar unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, paying foreign consultants, or purchasing unique equipment/supplies from foreign vendors, but it does bar monetary collaborations structured as foreign subawards or subcontracts under this particular NOFO.

From a funding standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $2,100,000 and anticipates making about 8 awards. The original closing date is May 26, 2028, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted according to the NOFO's submission schedule. Overall, the program is designed to create well-supported, interconnected institutional training hubs that collectively build a stronger pipeline of investigators focused on kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases within NIDDK's non-malignant mission space.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (U2C - 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 2025-12-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-05-26.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 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.

Apply for PAR 26 115

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