Mass Spectrometric Assays for the Reliable and Reproducible Detection of Proteins/Peptides of Importance in Type 1 Diabetes Research (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 17 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 019

The grant opportunity "Mass Spectrometric Assays for the Reliable and Reproducible Detection of Proteins/Peptides of Importance in Type 1 Diabetes Research" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DK-17-019) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement (U01) focused on strengthening measurement tools used across the type 1 diabetes (T1D) research community. The central goal is to support projects that build targeted mass spectrometry-based assays, such as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM), for accurately detecting and quantifying specific proteins and peptides that matter most in T1D research. Examples called out in the announcement include key pancreatic hormones and related peptides like insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and somatostatin.

A major emphasis of the FOA is on reliability and practical usability across different labs, not just technical novelty. Applicants are expected to develop assays that are highly reproducible and robust, meaning that results should be consistent across runs, operators, instruments, and sites. The assays should also be easy to transfer to other laboratories, which generally implies clear, standardized protocols and performance characteristics that hold up when methods are adopted elsewhere. Another highlighted requirement is multiplexing, or the ability to measure multiple targets in the same assay workflow, since T1D studies often need panels of biomarkers rather than a single analyte. Importantly, the assays must be validated in human plasma or serum, reflecting the intent to generate methods that can be used directly in real-world human sample research settings rather than only in model systems or non-clinical matrices. Despite the clinical relevance, the FOA explicitly indicates that clinical trials are not allowed under this funding mechanism.

The opportunity falls under the broader NIH activity areas of health and food and nutrition, with CFDA number 93.847. Because it is a cooperative agreement, awardees should expect substantial NIH programmatic involvement compared to a standard investigator-initiated grant. In practice, that typically means the funding agency may have an active role in shaping milestones, monitoring progress, or coordinating aspects of assay development intended for broader community use.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based applicants and organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly welcomes a range of mission- and community-focused institutions, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. On the foreign eligibility side, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may apply, and "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning certain parts of the work can be carried out internationally under a U.S. applicant organization when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of July 10, 2018, and an award ceiling of $350,000. The FOA record lists an expected awards field but does not provide a number in the source text. Overall, the funding is designed to fill a practical and widely felt need in T1D research: standardized, transferable, multiplexable mass spectrometric assays for high-priority peptides and proteins, validated in common clinical sample types so that different research groups can generate comparable, reproducible biomarker data across studies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mass Spectrometric Assays for the Reliable and Reproducible Detection of Proteins/Peptides of Importance in Type 1 Diabetes Research (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 2018-02-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-07-10. (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 $350,000.00 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.

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