NIDDK Central Repositories Non-renewable Sample Access (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 19 319

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 319

The NIDDK Central Repositories Non-renewable Sample Access opportunity (PAR 19-319) is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism that lets investigators request access to limited, irreplaceable biological specimens and associated data stored in the NIDDK Central Repositories. These repositories contain samples collected through many large, well-known clinical studies funded or supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The core purpose of the program is to encourage new, high-value scientific analyses by making existing, carefully curated specimens available to qualified researchers, rather than requiring new sample collection. Because the samples are described as non-renewable, the emphasis is on responsible, well-justified use of finite materials that cannot be replaced once distributed and consumed.

Projects supported under this opportunity are focused on secondary research using repository materials rather than running new clinical trials, and the announcement explicitly indicates that clinical trials are not allowed. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose laboratory, translational, epidemiologic, or other analyses that can be conducted using archived biospecimens and the accompanying study datasets. The program directs applicants to review what is available through the NIDDK repository website (https://repository.niddk.nih.gov), which serves as the public-facing catalog and access point for understanding which studies, specimen types, and data elements may be requested.

A key application requirement is documentation of feasibility: applicants must include a report from the NIDDK Central Repositories confirming sample availability for the specific materials being requested. This requirement helps ensure that proposed aims match what the repository can actually provide and helps the program manage scarce specimens fairly. Since the samples are limited, strong applications typically need to show a clear scientific rationale for why those particular non-renewable samples are essential, how many aliquots or units are needed, and why the anticipated analyses are worth the use of those finite resources.

Eligibility is broad, reflecting NIH’s typical emphasis on supporting a wide research ecosystem. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized. It also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments, and a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). For-profit organizations other than small businesses and small businesses are also eligible, along with an “other” category that NIH commonly uses to capture additional eligible entity types.

The notice also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories to encourage broad participation across institution types and geographies. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations); and applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession. This inclusive list is meant to signal that the program is open to diverse research institutions and communities, not just traditional academic medical centers.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the activity falls within health-related research (CFDA number 93.847). The funding instrument type is listed as a grant, and the activity category is labeled under food and nutrition and health, consistent with NIDDK’s broad mission areas that span diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, digestive diseases, and kidney and urologic conditions. The original closing date shown in the source information is June 28, 2022, with a creation date of July 29, 2019; prospective applicants would typically need to verify the current status, active dates, and any reissued versions of the opportunity on NIH posting systems, since older announcements are sometimes superseded or closed.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a pathway to unlock additional scientific value from existing NIDDK-funded clinical study collections by supporting carefully designed, non-clinical-trial research that uses rare, limited biospecimens and linked data. The central practical takeaway for applicants is that they must begin by identifying relevant studies and specimens in the NIDDK repository catalog and obtain the required repository documentation confirming that the specific non-renewable samples needed for the proposed analyses are available.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDDK Central Repositories Non-renewable Sample Access (X01 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 2019-07-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-06-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 19 319

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