Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) Linked Clinical Research Centers

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is offering a single source funding opportunity titled Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network Data Coordinating Center. This opportunity is issued under a cooperative agreement mechanism and is intended to support the continued operation and expansion of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, a long-standing international clinical research enterprise focused on advancing cardiac surgical science and improving patient outcomes. The program builds upon nearly two decades of collaborative research across the United States and internationally, supporting clinical trials that address major questions in cardiovascular surgery and related disciplines. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support a Data Coordinating Center responsible for managing and coordinating multiple randomized clinical trials within the network. The center will consist of two integrated components: a Data Management and Analytics Center and a Clinical Coordination Center. Together, these components will oversee trial design, data collection, statistical analysis, regulatory compliance, and dissemination of findings. The program also emphasizes collaboration among clinical sites, researchers, small businesses, and external partners to expand the reach and impact of cardiothoracic research. Funding under this opportunity is substantial, with a total anticipated commitment exceeding fifty million dollars over a seven-year project period. Annual funding is structured across both protocol and non-protocol costs, with specific limits on direct costs and allocations for clinical trial execution. Funds may be used for a wide range of activities including data infrastructure development, trial coordination, regulatory compliance, monitoring, training, and dissemination. The award also supports distribution of funds to participating clinical centers on a per-patient basis and includes provisions for long-term follow-up and centralized data management. Eligibility for this opportunity is highly restricted, as it is a single source funding announcement intended specifically for the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The eligible applicant must demonstrate the capacity to manage a large-scale, multi-site clinical research network and meet all NIH registration and compliance requirements. The program encourages a multi-principal investigator model, with designated leadership for each coordinating component. While foreign organizations are not eligible to apply directly, certain international collaborations without subawards may be permitted within the scope of the project. Applications must be submitted through approved federal systems such as Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST platform and must comply with all instructions outlined in the NIH application guide. The submission process requires detailed research plans, budget justifications, data management and sharing plans, and documentation of institutional support. Applications will undergo NIH peer review and must meet rigorous scientific and technical merit criteria, including significance, innovation, feasibility, and investigator expertise. The timeline for this opportunity includes an application open date in early June and a submission deadline in early July, with no late applications accepted. Review processes will occur in late 2026, followed by advisory council review and an anticipated project start in April 2027. The funding is non-recurring and supports a single award, with continued funding contingent on performance and federal appropriations. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to ensure compliance and allow time for corrections before the deadline.

Emphasize prior experience managing multi-center trials, demonstrate strong data coordination infrastructure, and highlight collaboration strategies across clinical sites and stakeholders