Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Central Biochemistry Laboratory (U24) | RFA DK 17 034

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 034

The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Central Biochemistry Laboratory (U24) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-17-034) is a National Institutes of Health program from the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, which means the awardee is not operating in isolation the way a typical research grant might. Instead, the funded laboratory is expected to work in an active partnership with NIH and with the rest of the CKiD consortium to carry out shared scientific and operational goals.

At its core, the opportunity supports a single Central Biochemistry Laboratory (CBL) to serve the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) consortium. The CBL is meant to function as a centralized resource that performs biochemistry-related testing and associated laboratory services for consortium participants, creating consistent, standardized measurements across the study. Centralization matters in multi-site clinical research because it reduces variability that can come from different labs using different instruments, reagents, reference ranges, or handling practices. By having one designated lab performing core biochemistry work, the consortium can better compare results across participants and across time, which is especially important for a longitudinal pediatric kidney disease cohort.

The funded CBL is expected to collaborate closely with the existing Clinical Coordinating Centers (CCCs) and the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) as part of a broader consortium structure. Practically, that implies routine coordination on specimen collection and shipping procedures, assay selection and validation, data formatting and transfer, quality control and quality assurance processes, and timelines that align with clinic visits and study milestones. It also implies the laboratory will be part of a cooperative governance and decision-making environment typical of U24 awards, where responsibilities and priorities are shaped jointly with the consortium partners rather than being determined solely by the awardee.

A notable scientific feature of the announcement is that participant evaluations are being expanded in some domains, and the follow-up period will extend beyond the onset of end stage renal disease (ESRD). In plain terms, the consortium is planning to broaden what is measured or assessed for participants and to keep tracking individuals even after they reach ESRD, rather than stopping follow-up at that transition point. For a central lab, this usually means planning for a longer operational horizon, potentially additional assay types or higher sample volume, and robust processes for maintaining continuity of methods over time so measurements remain comparable from early stages of chronic kidney disease through later outcomes.

The opportunity is categorized under the NIH funding activity area of health (and also listed under food and nutrition, health) and is associated with CFDA number 93.847. Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations: state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including entities other than small businesses); small businesses; and other applicants as allowed by the announcement’s additional eligibility language.

From a funding standpoint, the posting lists an award ceiling of $250,000 and anticipates making one award. That signals NIDDK intended to select a single laboratory to serve as the consortium’s central biochemistry hub, rather than funding multiple competing labs. The opportunity was created on August 17, 2017, with an original closing date of November 3, 2017, indicating it was a time-limited competition for this specific consortium role.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a request for a highly capable laboratory operation that can deliver standardized biochemistry testing at consortium scale, integrate smoothly with clinical and data coordinating infrastructure, and support expanded measurements and extended longitudinal follow-up for children and adolescents living with chronic kidney disease, including continued tracking after progression to ESRD.

• 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 "Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Central Biochemistry Laboratory (U24)" 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 Aug 17, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 03, 2017. (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 $250,000.00 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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