High-Resolution Exploration of the Human Islet Tissue Environment [HIRN Human Pancreas Analysis Consortium (HPAC)] (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 17 022

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 022

This NIH funding opportunity (RFA-DK-17-022) supports cooperative agreement (U01) projects aimed at mapping and explaining the human pancreatic islet tissue environment at much higher resolution than has typically been possible. The central goal is to improve understanding of how the islet and the tissue around it are physically organized and how that organization relates to function, dysfunction, and disease biology, especially in the context of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The emphasis is on human biology and human tissue structure and function rather than relying on rodent or other animal models, and the announcement explicitly states that it does not support clinical trials.

Scientifically, applicants are expected to focus on the composition and behavior of key elements of the islet and peri-islet architecture. That includes detailing which cell types and subtypes are present, what molecular signals they express, and what functional roles they play within the local pancreatic ecosystem. A major theme is understanding cell-to-cell relationships: how endocrine cells, immune cells, stromal and vascular components, and other resident or infiltrating populations interact; how they communicate through direct contact or secreted factors; and how these interactions influence beta cell health, stress, or loss. The FOA also encourages projects that look beyond the islet itself to examine how adjacent pancreatic compartments such as acinar tissue, ducts, and lymphatics shape islet function, as well as how neighboring tissues (including intestinal, mesenteric, and adipose tissues) may contribute to islet performance or dysfunction through regional signaling, immune trafficking, or metabolic cross-talk.

Programmatically, funded teams become part of the Human Pancreas Analysis Consortium (HPAC), which is designed to integrate closely with the Human Pancreas Analysis Program (HPAP). HPAP was launched earlier as a resource-generation effort to collect and distribute human pancreatic tissues and related datasets, and this FOA positions HPAC as an added layer that performs deeper, collaborative analyses to extract biological insight from those resources. HPAC is also described as the fifth consortium under the broader Human Islet Research Network (HIRN). In practical terms, this means awardees should anticipate a collaborative, networked structure typical of U01 mechanisms, where milestones, data sharing, coordination activities, and participation in consortium efforts are not optional add-ons but core expectations of the award.

The larger mission connection is directly tied to HIRN priorities: understanding how functional human beta cell mass is lost in T1D and identifying strategies to protect and replace beta cells. While the work supported here is not interventional clinical testing, the intended value is translational, meaning it should generate knowledge about human tissue organization, intercellular communication, and disease mechanisms that can later inform therapeutic concepts or guide future clinical research. Projects that meaningfully improve the field's ability to describe and interpret human islet microenvironments, particularly in ways that clarify pathways to beta cell failure or immune-mediated damage, are aligned with the announcement's purpose.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant categories including minority-serving institutions (such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations, indicating an intent to welcome diverse institutional participation.

Key administrative details in the source listing include: the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health; the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement (U01); the activity area is health (CFDA 93.847); the original closing date was May 10, 2018; and the listed award ceiling is $550,000. The listing does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided fields, but it makes clear that funded projects will operate as coordinated components of HPAC and will be expected to integrate with HPAP and the broader HIRN structure.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "High-Resolution Exploration of the Human Islet Tissue Environment [HIRN Human Pancreas Analysis Consortium (HPAC)] (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2018-02-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-05-10. (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 $550,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for RFA DK 17 022

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