Limited Competition Renewal for the Continuation of the Liver Cirrhosis Network: Clinical Research Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Required)

Background
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is issuing a Limited Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to continue the Liver Cirrhosis Network (LCN). This initiative aims to enhance clinical research on cirrhosis, which is a significant public health burden in the United States, with rising prevalence and mortality rates.

The LCN was established to improve understanding of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, aiming to develop treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Grant Details
The grant will support Clinical Centers tasked with enhancing patient recruitment and retention for the LCN Cohort Study and the LCN RESCU Trial. Key objectives include:

- Completing enrollment in the Liver Cirrhosis Network Cohort;
- Conducting clinical studies on rosuvastatin efficacy and safety;
- Collecting biospecimens;
- Analyzing data to define factors improving long-term outcomes for patients with cirrhosis.

Applications must propose a distinct Scientific Exploratory Specific Aim utilizing LCN data and biospecimen collections, addressing issues such as biomarker assays, genomic analyses, or environmental factors affecting cirrhosis.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local governments, state governments, tribal governments, and other entities that were recipients of RFA-DK-20-003. Non-domestic entities are not eligible. Each institution can submit only one application.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 5 years. The earliest start date for awarded projects is anticipated in July 2026.

Grant Value
NIDDK intends to commit $3,300,000 in FY 2026 to fund up to ten awards. Application budgets are not limited but should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations for performance are not detailed in the document.