Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 18 027
The Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (RFA-DK-18-027) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help institutions build structured career development programs in urologic research. The central aim is to support a cohort-based, mentored training environment that prepares early-career investigators to launch and sustain independent research careers focused on urology, with particular relevance to benign urologic disease and other urologic research topics that align with the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In practical terms, the grant funds an institutional program (rather than individual fellowships) that appoints and supports "Scholars" while they receive protected time, mentorship, and tailored training to progress toward research independence.
The program is intended for institutions that can provide a strong multidisciplinary research ecosystem and a clear, organized plan for developing MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs into independent urologic researchers. The Scholars supported through the K12 mechanism are expected to gain the scientific, technical, and professional skills needed to compete successfully for subsequent independent NIH funding (for example, an R01 or comparable award), establish a research niche, and maintain long-term productivity in urology-related research. Because this is an institutional career development award, successful applications typically emphasize the quality of the mentoring team, the strength of the research environment, the rigor of the training curriculum, and the institution's ability to recruit, select, and support promising Scholars.
A notable feature of this FOA is that it is "Clinical Trial Optional." That means the program can appoint Scholars whose career development plans include leading an independent clinical trial as the primary investigator, conducting an ancillary clinical trial connected to a larger parent trial, or gaining experience by participating in a clinical trial led by another investigator. This flexibility is important for urology research, where clinical trials and translational studies are common pathways to meaningful patient-centered advances. The FOA explicitly allows clinical trial activities as long as they are integrated into the Scholar's research and training plan and are consistent with NIH expectations for oversight, ethics, and scientific rigor.
The eligible research scope must be clearly tied to NIDDK's urology mission area. While the FOA summary does not list specific disease topics, it indicates that supported projects should fall within the NIDDK urology scientific priorities (as referenced by the NIDDK urology program area). Applicants are expected to ensure that both the overall KURe program and the individual Scholar research experiences are aligned with NIDDK-relevant urologic conditions and scientific questions, rather than topics outside NIDDK's mandate.
Eligibility to apply is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights categories often emphasized for inclusivity and capacity building, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. U.S. territories or possessions are also included among the "other eligible applicants" categories.
At the same time, there are clear geographic and organizational limits related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" may be permitted under NIH policy when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition and are justified scientifically, which can matter for certain collaborations, specialized methods, or unique populations, provided the main applicant organization and core activities remain eligible and appropriately based.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by NIH, categorized under health-related funding (CFDA 93.847). The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $600,000, indicating the maximum anticipated funding level under the announcement (often interpreted as a per-year or total cap depending on the FOA's budget structure, though the listing itself only provides the ceiling figure). The original closing date shown is April 24, 2019, and the opportunity record was created January 31, 2019. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing, suggesting that the number of funded programs would depend on NIH priorities, available appropriations, and application quality.
Overall, this KURe K12 FOA is best understood as an institutional investment in building a reliable pipeline of urology researchers by funding a formal, mentored career development program. It supports structured training and research experiences that can include clinical trials, and it targets investigators at a stage where dedicated mentorship, protected time, and a strong institutional program can make the difference between short-term productivity and a sustainable, independent research career in NIDDK-relevant urologic science.Apply for RFA DK 18 027
- The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 2019-01-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-24. (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 $600,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (RFA-DK-18-027)
1) What is the KURe K12 program (RFA-DK-18-027)?
The Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports institutions in building a structured, mentored career development program in urologic research. It is designed to create a cohort-based training environment that helps early-career investigators develop into independent urology researchers, with projects aligned to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) mission.
2) Is this grant awarded to individual researchers or to institutions?
This is an institutional career development award. The grant funds the institution to run a formal program and to appoint and support participants (called "Scholars") within that program. It is not described as an individual fellowship mechanism in the information provided.
3) What is the main goal of the program?
The central aim is to help institutions develop a structured program that prepares early-career investigators to launch and sustain independent research careers in urology. The program emphasizes protected time, mentorship, and tailored training so Scholars can build a research niche and become competitive for later independent NIH funding (for example, an R01 or comparable award).
4) What kinds of research are expected to be supported?
Supported research should be clearly tied to NIDDK's urology mission area. The information provided notes relevance to benign urologic disease and other urologic research topics that align with NIDDK priorities. Applicants are expected to ensure both the overall KURe program and the individual Scholar research experiences stay within NIDDK-relevant urologic conditions and scientific questions (not topics outside NIDDK's mandate).
5) What does "cohort-based, mentored training environment" mean in this context?
Based on the description, the program is designed around a group (cohort) of Scholars supported within an organized institutional structure. The emphasis is on consistent mentorship, a defined training curriculum, protected time for career development, and a supportive multidisciplinary research environment that collectively moves Scholars toward independence.
6) Who are the "Scholars" in this program?
"Scholars" are the individuals appointed by the funded institutional program. They are described as early-career investigators who receive protected time, mentorship, and training through the K12 mechanism to help them progress toward independent research careers in urology.
7) What career stage is this program aiming to support?
The program targets early-career investigators at a stage where structured mentorship, protected time, and institutional support can help them transition from mentored development to research independence and long-term productivity in urology-related research.
8) What types of investigators can the institutional program develop?
The program is intended to develop MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs into independent urologic researchers, within a strong multidisciplinary research ecosystem.
9) What are Scholars expected to achieve by the end of the program?
Scholars are expected to build the scientific, technical, and professional skills needed to compete successfully for subsequent independent NIH funding (such as an R01 or comparable award), establish a research niche, and maintain long-term research productivity in urology-related areas that align with NIDDK priorities.
10) Is this funding opportunity "Clinical Trial Optional"?
Yes. The FOA is described as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning the program may appoint Scholars whose career development plans include clinical trial activities, provided they are properly integrated into the Scholar's research and training plan and consistent with NIH expectations for oversight, ethics, and scientific rigor.
11) What clinical trial roles are allowed for Scholars under this FOA?
The information provided indicates flexibility for clinical trial involvement, including: (1) leading an independent clinical trial as the primary investigator, (2) conducting an ancillary clinical trial connected to a larger parent trial, or (3) gaining experience by participating in a clinical trial led by another investigator. These activities must fit within the Scholar's training and research plan and meet NIH requirements.
12) What kinds of institutions are a good fit to apply?
The program is intended for institutions that can provide a strong multidisciplinary research ecosystem and a clear, organized plan for training and developing early-career urologic researchers. Strong applications typically emphasize the quality of the mentoring team, the strength of the research environment, the rigor of the training curriculum, and a clear strategy to recruit, select, and support promising Scholars.
13) What should a competitive institutional application emphasize?
Based on the description provided, competitive applications typically highlight: a strong mentoring team, a robust research environment, a rigorous and organized training curriculum, and an institutional plan to recruit, select, and support Scholars effectively, including providing protected time and tailored career development.
14) Who is eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
15) Are institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The listing highlights categories often emphasized for inclusivity and capacity building, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also references faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.
16) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among the "other eligible applicants" categories in the information provided.
17) Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
18) Are any foreign collaborations allowed?
Potentially yes, but with limits. The information provided states that "foreign components" may be permitted under NIH policy when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition and are scientifically justified. The main applicant organization and core activities still need to remain eligible and appropriately U.S.-based.
19) What agency and institute are associated with this opportunity?
This is an NIH funding opportunity aligned with the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), specifically within its urology mission area.
20) What is the type of grant mechanism described here?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity from NIH. It supports an institutional career development program that appoints Scholars and provides mentorship, training, and protected time as part of a structured program.
21) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The listing identifies the opportunity under CFDA 93.847.
22) How much funding is available?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $600,000, described as the maximum anticipated funding level under the announcement. The provided information notes that the ceiling figure is listed, but it does not clarify in that listing whether the cap is per year or total across the project period.
23) How many awards will be made?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information. The number of funded programs would depend on NIH priorities, available appropriations, and the quality of applications received.
24) What are the key dates mentioned in the opportunity record?
The opportunity record was created on January 31, 2019, and the original closing date shown is April 24, 2019.
25) What does it mean that this grant is an "institutional investment" in urology research?
It means the funding is intended to help an institution build and sustain a formal pipeline for training urology researchers. Rather than funding isolated individuals, the award supports an organized program with mentorship, training structure, and protected time so multiple Scholars can develop toward independent, long-term research careers in NIDDK-relevant urologic science.
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