Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Centers

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is soliciting applications for Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Centers (DDRCCs) under RFA-DK-27-119. The program aims to establish integrated centers that bring together basic and clinical investigators to enhance collaboration and effectiveness in research related to digestive and liver diseases. Each center must be organized around a central theme within the NIDDK mission and utilize shared resource cores to foster productivity and synergy. Eligible applicants must be an identifiable unit within a single university medical center or a consortium of cooperating institutions and demonstrate an existing program of excellence through peer-reviewed research funding and productivity. The maximum project period is five years, with application budgets limited to 750,000 dollars in direct costs per year. Funding is further allocated for a Pilot and Feasibility Program, capped at 150,000 dollars in direct costs per year, and support for Named Supported Investigators up to 90,000 dollars per year for three years. NIDDK intends to commit 4.8 million dollars in FY 2027 for four awards and 2.4 million dollars in FY 2028 for two awards. Applications are evaluated based on scientific and technical merit, availability of funds, and relevance to program priorities, with specific scoring for leadership, biomedical research cores, and the pilot program. Key personnel requirements include a minimum effort of 2.4 person months for the Center Director and 0.6 person months for the Scientific Catalyst Program and Core Directors. Applicants must maintain active registration in the System for Award Management and eRA Commons, and all principal investigators must have a valid ORCID ID. Required documentation includes a Table of DDRCC Research Base Investigators, a Data Management and Sharing Plan, and, for renewal applications, a progress report publication list and pilot project outcomes. Applications are due in two cycles: September 29, 2026, and February 10, 2027.