Engineering Improved Stem Cell-Derived Islet Cells for Replacement Therapies (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Closed Posted

Opportunity number
RFA-DK-26-306
Agency
Applications due
Award size
Up to $500,000

Opportunity facts

Funding instrument
Grant
Category
  • Health
Eligible applicants
  • Independent School Districts
  • Other
  • City/Township Governments
  • Higher Education Inst. (Public)
  • Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • State Governments
  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • Special District Governments
  • For Profit Organizations
  • Small Businesses
  • Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
  • Public or Indian Housing Auth.
  • County Governments
  • Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
  • Higher Education Inst. (Private)
Points of contact

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking research grant applications focused on engineering stem cell-derived islet cells for type 1 diabetes replacement therapies through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The funding opportunity aims to support preclinical research strategies that improve stem cell-derived islet cell transplantation outcomes, with specific research targets including developing immune evasion strategies, creating safety switches within manufactured cells, and improving cell composition and resilience. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal organizations. Application evaluation will be based on scientific merit, including assessments of experimental design, investigator competency, research innovation, and potential commercial application. The electronic application must be submitted through Grants.gov by February 6, 2026, with the earliest potential start date of March 6, 2026.

The grant opportunity will commit $3 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund 4-6 awards, with each award limited to $500,000 in direct costs per year and a maximum project period of 5 years. Potential award dates are scheduled for July, October, and December 2026. Research will be conducted at the recipient organization's facilities, with the primary goal of developing preclinical strategies to enhance stem cell-derived islet cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes treatment. The funding is part of the Special Diabetes Program and falls under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), supporting innovative approaches to understanding and addressing diabetes-related research.

Synopsis

This funding opportunity is designed to support research in understanding how to engineer intrinsic characteristics of stem cell-derived islet cell products that can result in improved cell replacement therapy outcomes. Unlike cadaveric human islets, stem cell-derived islet cell products are generated from well-defined and highly controlled cell bank sources. Their banking, manufacturing, and quality control processes can be used to instill optimized cell characteristics resulting in more resilient and durable graft viability and function. This funding opportunity aims to stimulate studies on targets and pathways amenable to such engineering approaches and to encourage preclinical testing and validation of such strategies.This NOFO is associated with the Special Diabetes Program (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-special-statutory-funding-program/about-special-diabetes-program) which funds research on the prevention, treatment, and cure of type 1 diabetes and its complications, including unique, innovative, and collaborative research consortia and clinical trials networks.

Files

File Type Posted
RFA-DK-26-306-Full-Announcement.html HTML file

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