RFA-DK-27-109
Single Source Competition: Continuation of the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CaRe-T1D) - Resource Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
Briefing: CARE-T1D Consortium Resource Center Continuation
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) are continuing support for the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CARE-T1D), a biorepository and research consortium focused on understanding why people with type 1 diabetes face elevated cardiovascular mortality. The CARE-T1D resource center maintains a unique collection of cardiovascular tissues—hearts, aortas, carotid arteries, and kidneys—from organ donors stratified by type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and non-diabetic status. This funding supports the resource center's core functions: tissue collection and curation, multi-omics and molecular profiling of cardiac tissue, expansion of the data repository with consortium research results, and coordination of consortium research activities. The underlying science aims to elucidate the pathogenesis of cardiac disease in type 1 diabetes using hypothesis-driven approaches spanning computational biology, molecular biology, and clinical informatics, with the ultimate goal of identifying therapeutic targets.
Critical note: This is a single-source competition with invited applications only—not all organizations may apply. The 2024 consortium was newly formed; it remains unclear whether this continuation is restricted to existing consortium members or open to new applicants. Prospective applicants should confirm eligibility before investing effort.
- Who can apply: Eligible organization(s) by invitation only; eligibility criteria not fully detailed in this forecast.
- Funding & project length: Not stated.
- Award mechanism: Continuation grant / resource center support.
- Key dates: Not stated.
- Best fit for: Researchers in diabetes, cardiovascular pathology, and tissue-based multi-omics research with access to or affiliation with the CARE-T1D consortium.
Insights (6)
Single-source competition severely restricts applicant pool and access
This is explicitly a single-source, invitation-only competition—not an open RFA. Only pre-identified eligible organizations will be invited to apply, meaning unsolicited applications are unlikely to be accepted. This effectively closes the opportunity to researchers outside the designated consortium or partner institutions.
Existing CARE-T1D consortium membership is likely prerequisite or major advantage
The opportunity explicitly references continuation of a consortium formed in 2024 (RFA-DK-23-021) and the original biorepository established in 2020. While the text does not explicitly state whether new members can join, the 'continuation' language and single-source structure strongly suggest that current consortium members are the primary or exclusive eligible applicants. Researchers not already embedded in CARE-T1D should clarify eligibility before investing effort.
Multi-omics and molecular pathogenesis expertise directly aligns with consortium priorities
The opportunity explicitly prioritizes 'hypothesis-driven research on pathogenesis of cardiac disease in T1D using multi-omics and molecular approaches.' Applicants with established expertise in multi-omics profiling, cardiac molecular biology, or comparative T1D/T2D disease mechanisms will be most competitive. Preliminary data demonstrating novel insights from existing CARE-T1D tissue samples would strengthen positioning.
Resource center coordination role requires strong consortium management and data-sharing infrastructure
Beyond hypothesis-driven research, this opportunity funds the CARE-T1D resource center itself—tissue collection, curation, data repository maintenance, and consortium coordination. Success requires not only scientific rigor but also operational excellence in biorepository management, data governance, and multi-institutional collaboration. Teams should assess capacity for these administrative and logistical responsibilities.
Consortium leadership role favors established investigators with institutional support
The resource center coordination and consortium management components suggest this opportunity is designed for established research leaders with institutional backing and prior experience managing multi-site consortia. Early-stage investigators may be better positioned as contributing members within a consortium-led application rather than as primary applicants.
Limited award number and continuation structure suggest high selectivity
As a single-source continuation of an existing, successful consortium, the number of funded awards is likely very small (possibly one primary resource center award plus supporting research projects). Competition will be intense among eligible applicants, with emphasis on demonstrated productivity from prior CARE-T1D work and clear innovation in cardiac pathogenesis research.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Thu, December 18, 2025
Expected Awards
1
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (2)
This is explicitly a "Single Source competition" that will invite applications from eligible organization(s), implying that not all organizations may apply and that applications may be by invitation o
95%
Source Text
“This is a Forecast for a Single Source competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply.”
The funding opportunity is described as a "continuation" of an existing consortium (CARE-T1D) established through prior RFAs, with a new consortium formed in 2024. It is unclear whether this is restri
90%
Source Text
“The NIDDK and NHLBI seek to advance their mission by a continuation of the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CARE-T1D) consortium. The CARE-T1D biorepository was established in 2020 through RFA-DK-21-010 and has successfully collected, stored and analyzed cardiovascular tissue... A consortium was formed in 2024 through RFA-DK-23-021 to carry out research...”