Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 012
The Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity from the Department of Health and Human Services, administered through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It is designed to fund institutional, team-based career development programs that train and mentor early-stage investigators who want to build long-term, independent research careers in urology. The core goal is to help clinicians and scientists develop the practical research skills, mentorship support, and protected time needed to transition into independent urologic researchers, with a particular emphasis on benign urologic disease and other urology topics aligned with the NIDDK mission.
This opportunity uses the K12 mechanism, which means the award is made to an institution rather than directly to an individual trainee. The institution then appoints and supports a cohort of mentored “Scholars” under the umbrella of the program. The intended Scholar pool includes MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs who are committed to urologic research and need structured career development to reach research independence. A key theme of KURe is multidisciplinary training, so applicant institutions are generally expected to bring together a broad mentoring environment that can span clinical urology, epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical trials, translational science, behavioral science, outcomes research, and other relevant disciplines that strengthen a Scholar’s ability to compete for independent funding later on.
The scientific scope must fit within NIDDK’s urology research priorities. In practical terms, that means the supported research and training should clearly connect to areas within NIDDK’s urology mission space, rather than unrelated urologic oncology or topics outside NIDDK’s portfolio. The FOA’s emphasis on benign urologic disease signals interest in conditions such as lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, benign prostatic hyperplasia, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, pelvic floor disorders, stone disease, and other non-malignant urologic conditions, as long as the proposed research and training approach can be justified as aligned with NIDDK’s stated scientific areas.
A notable feature of this announcement is the “Clinical Trial Optional” structure. That designation means the career development program is permitted to appoint Scholars whose projects involve clinical trials, but it does not require all Scholars to run trials. The FOA explicitly allows several clinical-trial-related paths for Scholars: serving as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, proposing an ancillary study connected to an existing clinical trial, or gaining meaningful research experience by participating in a clinical trial led by another investigator. This flexibility matters because it allows institutions to train Scholars in rigorous clinical research and trial methodology while matching the level of responsibility to a Scholar’s readiness and mentorship support.
From an applicant eligibility standpoint, the FOA is open to a range of organizations capable of running an institutional training program. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), and eligible Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, with an “others” category that depends on the additional eligibility text in the full announcement. Because this is an institutional K12, the applying organization typically needs to demonstrate it has the faculty mentors, research infrastructure, administrative capacity, and training environment required to recruit, select, and support Scholars in a structured and sustainable way.
In terms of funding and scale, the opportunity is a discretionary grant with an award ceiling of $600,000, and the agency anticipated making about four awards under this specific announcement. The original posting date was October 30, 2017, with an original closing date of February 13, 2018. While those dates reflect the lifecycle of this specific FOA (RFA-DK-17-012), the program description captures the essential intent: to build institutional pipelines that develop the next generation of independent urologic researchers through mentored career development, with optional integration of clinical trials as part of the Scholars’ research training.Apply for RFA DK 17 012
- 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 "Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (K12 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 Oct 30, 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 $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)?
The Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity intended to support institutional, team-based career development programs in urology. It focuses on training and mentoring early-stage investigators so they can build long-term, independent research careers in urology, with particular emphasis on benign urologic disease and other topics aligned with the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Which federal agency and NIH institute administer this opportunity?
This is a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opportunity administered through the NIH, specifically the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The core purpose is to fund institutional programs that provide practical research skill development, strong mentorship support, and protected time for early-stage clinicians and scientists to transition into independent urologic researchers. The program is structured to create a pipeline of well-trained investigators positioned to compete successfully for independent research funding.
What does it mean that this is a K12 mechanism?
The K12 mechanism is an institutional career development award. That means the award is made to an institution (not directly to an individual trainee). The funded institution then appoints and supports a cohort of mentored participants, referred to as "Scholars," within the career development program.
Who are the intended participants (Scholars) in a KURe K12 program?
The intended Scholar pool includes MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs who are committed to urologic research and who need structured career development and mentorship to progress toward research independence.
Is this opportunity focused on individual fellowships or institutional programs?
It is focused on institutional programs. The applicant is the institution that proposes and runs the structured training and mentoring environment and then appoints Scholars under that program.
What does "multidisciplinary" mean in the context of KURe?
Multidisciplinary training is a central theme of KURe. Applicant institutions are generally expected to provide a broad mentoring and training environment that can span areas such as clinical urology, epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical trials, translational science, behavioral science, and outcomes research. The goal is to equip Scholars with a well-rounded skill set and mentorship network that strengthens their ability to become independently funded urologic researchers.
What research areas are considered within scope for this program?
The scientific scope must align with NIDDK's urology research priorities. The FOA highlights benign urologic disease as a particular emphasis and indicates interest in non-malignant urologic conditions such as lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, benign prostatic hyperplasia, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, pelvic floor disorders, stone disease, and other non-malignant urologic conditions, as long as the proposed research and training clearly connect to NIDDK's mission space.
Are urologic oncology projects supported under this opportunity?
The program scope is described as needing to fit within NIDDK's urology mission space rather than unrelated urologic oncology or topics outside NIDDK's portfolio. Supported research and training are expected to clearly align with NIDDK priorities.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean for this K12 program?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means the institutional career development program may appoint Scholars whose projects involve clinical trials, but it does not require that all Scholars conduct clinical trials. The structure allows flexibility so that clinical trial involvement can be included when appropriate for the Scholar's development and mentorship context.
What kinds of clinical-trial-related activities are allowed for Scholars?
The FOA explicitly allows multiple paths for clinical trial engagement, including: serving as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, proposing an ancillary study connected to an existing clinical trial, or gaining meaningful research experience by participating in a clinical trial led by another investigator.
Why does the clinical trial flexibility matter for the career development program?
The flexibility allows institutions to train Scholars in rigorous clinical research and trial methodology while matching the level of responsibility to a Scholar's readiness and available mentorship support. Scholars can build appropriate clinical trial experience without the program requiring every Scholar to run a trial.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), and eligible Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations. The opportunity also references an "others" category that depends on additional eligibility text in the full announcement.
What capabilities should an applying institution typically demonstrate?
Because this is an institutional K12 program, the applying organization typically needs to demonstrate that it has the faculty mentors, research infrastructure, administrative capacity, and training environment needed to recruit, select, and support Scholars in a structured and sustainable way.
What is the funding type for this opportunity?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is $600,000.
How many awards were anticipated under this announcement?
The agency anticipated making about four awards under this specific announcement.
What are the key dates associated with this FOA?
The original posting date was October 30, 2017, and the original closing date was February 13, 2018. These dates reflect the lifecycle of this specific funding opportunity announcement (RFA-DK-17-012).
What is the FOA identifier for this opportunity?
The funding opportunity announcement is identified as RFA-DK-17-012.
What is the long-term goal of KURe-supported programs?
The long-term goal is to build institutional pipelines that develop the next generation of independent urologic researchers through mentored career development, with optional integration of clinical trials as part of research training where appropriate.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54-Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 17 013 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 18 001 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Funding For Collaborative Clinical Research In Type 1 Diabetes: Living Biobank (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 17 032 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 032 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Elucidating the Effect of Glycemic Excursions on Patient Well-being and Cognitive Status in People with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 18 003 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 003 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Undergraduate Summer Research Education in Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 006 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Human Islet Research Enhancement Center for the Human Islet Research Network (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 012 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 012 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Ancillary Studies to the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 18 017 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Lymphatics in Health and Disease in the Digestive System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 021 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 021 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Data Coordinating Center for the Diabetic Foot Consortium (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 010 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 010 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients: The Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium - Scientific and Data Research Center (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DK 18 031 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 031 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Limited Competition for the Continuation of the Coordinating Center for Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DK 18 509 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 509 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Clinical Network Hub (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 008 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 008 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Kidney Technology Development Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 19 006 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $130,000 |
| Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORCs) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 19 002 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 19 004 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 004 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Limited Competition: Follow-up on Subjects, Integrative Data Analysis and Measurement of Viral Antibodies in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in The Young Study (TEDDY) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 18 512 Funding Number: RFA DK 18 512 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $9,000,000 |
| (Re)Building a Kidney (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 19 007 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 007 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Catalyst Award In Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 19 014 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 014 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project (RMIP) Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA HL 20 030 Funding Number: RFA HL 20 030 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Centers for Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 19 033 Funding Number: RFA DK 19 033 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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