NIDDK Catalyst Award
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Maximum budget of $500,000 per year
Project duration of up to 5 years
To support pioneering and transformational studies in diabetes, endocrinology, and digestive diseases.
To promote extramural basic and clinical biomedical research that improves understanding of disease mechanisms.
Individual scientists proposing innovative research
Patients and communities affected by diabetes and digestive diseases
Eligible organization types include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local and state governments, and federal agencies.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply.
Applications must be from U.S.-based organizations.
Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Research must focus on diseases central to the mission of NIDDK's Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, or the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition.
Proposed research should reflect new and novel scientific directions.
Application budgets are limited to $500,000 direct costs per year.
No cost-sharing is required.
Application due date is July 18, 2025.
Earliest start date for funded projects is July 18, 2025.
Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each is scientifically distinct.
The NIH will not accept duplicate or overlapping applications under review at the same time.
Applications must follow the instructions in the Research Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide.
A letter of intent is encouraged but not required.
Applications will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, approach, and environment.
Applications will undergo scientific peer review and receive a written critique.
Applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit will be prioritized.
Research must not expand current funding but must represent a new insight or understanding.
Investigators must commit at least 4 person-months of research effort to the project.
Applicants are encouraged to contact NIDDK staff for guidance on the appropriateness of their research.
The award supports high-risk, high-reward research that may not fit traditional funding mechanisms.
Innovative and transformative research proposals that address significant scientific challenges.
Submitting applications that are extensions of ongoing research.
Engage with NIDDK staff early in the application process.
Highlight the uniqueness and potential impact of the proposed research.