Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 013
The George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity from the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It is designed to support a small number of coordinated, highly collaborative research centers focused on benign urologic diseases and disorders. The central idea is to create an organized platform where basic scientists and clinical researchers work closely together to better understand how these non-cancer urologic conditions start, progress, and affect patients, and then use that knowledge to improve how the field diagnoses, treats, and prevents them. A key expectation is that these centers will not operate in isolation; they are meant to actively connect investigators, share expertise and resources, and raise the overall quality and speed of discovery across benign urology.
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U54), which means the funded center(s) would work in a more hands-on partnership with NIDDK compared with a standard research grant. The FOA emphasizes willingness to cooperate with NIDDK and to participate in coordinated program activities that strengthen collaboration within a center, across other centers in the program, and with the broader urologic research community. In practice, that typically implies structured interactions such as shared planning, joint research initiatives, common data or resource approaches when appropriate, and regular communication intended to keep projects aligned with program goals. The clinical trial optional designation signals that a center may propose clinical trials if they are scientifically justified, but clinical trials are not required for an application to fit the program.
Beyond conducting strong research, the program is also intended to function as a national resource. That includes creating a collaborative venue that other researchers can engage with, whether through shared tools, specialized expertise, or other center-based capabilities that help the larger community move forward. The FOA also highlights an educational enrichment role: centers are expected to contribute to training and professional development for scientists who want to build careers in benign urology research. The overarching outcome NIDDK is aiming for is improved treatment of urologic disorders driven by better communication, coordinated research efforts, and sustained research excellence.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity (CFDA 93.847) in the health area. The funding opportunity number is RFA-DK-17-013, and it was created on November 1, 2017, with an original closing date of February 13, 2018. The award ceiling listed is $1,000,000, and the FOA indicates an expectation of 1 award, suggesting a highly competitive process aimed at supporting a single major center (or a single center award) under this announcement.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types that can carry out the kind of multidisciplinary, collaborative work the program requires. Eligible applicants include 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 certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as described in the FOA's additional eligibility language. Overall, the program is aimed at organizations capable of hosting a robust, center-level research infrastructure and sustaining active collaboration among diverse investigators focused on benign urologic conditions within NIDDK's mission.Apply for RFA DK 17 013
- 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 "George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54-Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 01, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 13, 2018. (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 $1,000,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional).
Which federal agency and institute are offering this funding?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-DK-17-013.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA (assistance listing) number provided is 93.847.
What is the main purpose of the O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program?
The program is designed to support a small number of coordinated, highly collaborative research centers focused on benign (non-cancer) urologic diseases and disorders. The goal is to create an organized platform where basic scientists and clinical researchers work closely together to understand how these conditions begin, progress, and affect patients, and to translate that knowledge into better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What types of urologic conditions are in scope?
The focus is on benign urologic diseases and disorders (non-cancer urologic conditions) within the mission area of NIDDK.
How is this program different from a standard research grant?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U54). A U54 is described as a more hands-on partnership with NIDDK compared with a standard research grant, with an emphasis on willingness to cooperate with NIDDK and participate in coordinated program activities.
What does "U54 cooperative agreement" imply for awardees?
Based on the announcement, funded centers are expected to work collaboratively with NIDDK and to participate in coordinated activities that strengthen collaboration within a center, across other centers in the program, and with the broader urologic research community. This typically implies structured interactions such as shared planning, joint research initiatives, common approaches to data or resources when appropriate, and regular communication to keep projects aligned with program goals.
Are clinical trials required under this funding opportunity?
No. The program is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a center may propose clinical trials if they are scientifically justified, but clinical trials are not required for an application to fit the program.
How many awards does the FOA expect to make?
The FOA indicates an expectation of 1 award, suggesting a highly competitive process aimed at supporting a single major center award under this announcement.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $1,000,000.
When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?
The announcement was created on November 1, 2017, with an original closing date of February 13, 2018.
What does the FOA mean by "coordinated" and "highly collaborative" research centers?
The program’s central idea is that centers should not operate in isolation. They are intended to connect investigators, share expertise and resources, and raise the overall quality and speed of discovery across benign urology through active, organized collaboration.
Is the program intended to support isolated projects, or a broader center platform?
It is intended to support center-level platforms where multiple investigators work together. The FOA emphasizes an organized platform for basic and clinical researchers to collaborate closely and to engage in coordinated program activities.
What is NIDDK hoping to achieve with this program?
The overarching outcome described is improved treatment of urologic disorders driven by better communication, coordinated research efforts, and sustained research excellence in benign urology.
Does the program have a role beyond the funded center's own research?
Yes. The FOA states the program is also intended to function as a national resource, providing a collaborative venue that other researchers can engage with through shared tools, specialized expertise, or other center-based capabilities.
Is education and training part of the expectations for funded centers?
Yes. The FOA highlights an educational enrichment role, stating that centers are expected to contribute to training and professional development for scientists interested in building careers in benign urology research.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types capable of carrying out multidisciplinary, collaborative center-level work. Eligible applicants include:
- 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 certain tribal organizations
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (where applicable)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (where applicable)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Other entities as described in the FOA's additional eligibility language
Is this opportunity limited to universities?
No. While public and private institutions of higher education are eligible, the FOA also lists government entities, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other eligible entities described in the FOA.
What kind of organizational capacity does the program appear to expect from applicants?
The description indicates the program is aimed at organizations capable of hosting robust, center-level research infrastructure and sustaining active collaboration among diverse investigators focused on benign urologic conditions within NIDDK's mission.
What is meant by "discretionary" in this funding opportunity context?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary funding opportunity in the health area, with CFDA 93.847.
Do funded centers need to collaborate with other centers and the broader research community?
Yes. A key expectation is participation in coordinated program activities that strengthen collaboration within a center, across other centers in the program, and with the broader urologic research community.
What kinds of collaboration activities are implied by the FOA?
The FOA points to structured interactions such as shared planning, joint research initiatives, common data or resource approaches when appropriate, and regular communication to keep projects aligned with program goals.
Is this program focused on cancer-related urologic diseases?
No. The program is focused on benign urologic diseases and disorders (non-cancer urologic conditions).
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