Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Clinical Centers

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (RFA-DK-27-121) for a U01 cooperative agreement. This initiative seeks clinical centers to form a consortium dedicated to testing anti-obesity medication (AOM) treatment strategies for children and adolescents. The primary objective is to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of AOM use while promoting healthy growth, nutritional status, and mental well-being. Priority research areas include determining the optimal developmental stage for AOM initiation, evaluating medication class, dose, frequency, and duration, and testing the intensity of adjunct lifestyle therapies. The consortium will collaborate on study protocols, common data measures, and the use of a central laboratory for biospecimen collection and data analysis. The maximum project period is five years, which may include a one-year planning phase, with annual direct cost budgets limited to 1,000,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, provided they maintain active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity Identifier. Applications are due by October 9, 2026, and will be evaluated via the NIH peer review system based on the importance of the research, rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the expertise of the investigators and their environment. Key requirements include a Consortium Assurance letter, a Data Management and Sharing Plan, and adherence to cybersecurity guidelines and human subject protections under 45 CFR Part 46.