Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Single Source for Continuation of the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (UC4)

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the continuation of the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP). This funding initiative will be issued as a single-source cooperative agreement to the Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, which currently administers the IIDP. The IIDP is a critical infrastructure for diabetes research, supporting the distribution of human islets to biomedical researchers across the country. These islets are essential for advancing the understanding of islet cell biology and developing new therapeutic approaches for diabetes. The IIDP manages partnerships with qualified islet isolation centers to ensure a reliable supply of human islets for research purposes. The program includes an established system to assess investigator eligibility, inform them of islet availability, manage cost recovery through user fees, and oversee both phenotypic and genotypic characterization of islets distributed. These services are critical to maintaining a standardized and accessible resource for the diabetes research community. This NOFO will employ the U24 Resource-Related Research Projects—Cooperative Agreements activity code. Although applications are not currently being solicited, the forecast serves as a pre-announcement to give interested parties adequate time to develop collaborative and responsive proposals. The program strongly encourages applications from investigators with expertise in live cell distribution, human islet biology, and coordinating center administration. Potential applicants should begin considering partnerships and project frameworks in preparation for the official announcement. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad, encompassing a range of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits (both with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, city, township, and county governments, independent school districts, and special district governments. The estimated total funding available for this opportunity is $3,300,000, with an award ceiling set at the same amount. Only one award is anticipated under this NOFO. No cost-sharing or matching is required. The forecasted timeline includes an estimated post date of June 25, 2025, an estimated application due date of September 25, 2025, and a projected award and project start date of July 1, 2026. For additional information, potential applicants may contact Thomas L. Eggerman, MD, PhD at 301-594-8814 or via email at [email protected]. This notice serves as a critical opportunity for researchers in relevant fields to prepare for a significant funding chance aimed at bolstering diabetes research through access to human islet resources.