Single Source Renewal for the Continuation of the Liver Cirrhosis Network: Scientific and Data Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, issued this funding opportunity to support the continuation of the Liver Cirrhosis Network Scientific and Data Coordination Center. This opportunity is structured as a single source cooperative agreement and is specifically intended to maintain and advance the coordination infrastructure supporting ongoing clinical and observational research related to liver cirrhosis. The initiative reflects the federal government’s broader commitment to addressing chronic liver disease, which remains a major public health burden in the United States, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the funding is to ensure the continued operation of the Scientific and Data Coordination Center, which plays a central role in managing, analyzing, and coordinating data across the Liver Cirrhosis Network. This includes supporting the completion of enrollment in the network’s cohort study and advancing a clinical trial evaluating rosuvastatin for cirrhosis patients. The program emphasizes improving understanding of cirrhosis progression, treatment outcomes, and risk factors, with the ultimate goal of enhancing clinical care and reducing complications associated with liver disease. Funding will support a wide range of coordination activities, including statistical analysis, data management, protocol development, and logistical support for multicenter studies. The awardee is expected to provide infrastructure for study coordination, oversee quality assurance, manage biospecimen tracking and repository submission, and support dissemination of research findings. The cooperative agreement mechanism indicates substantial involvement from NIH staff, who will collaborate with the recipient on study design, implementation, and oversight. Eligibility for this opportunity is highly restricted, as it is a single source renewal intended only for Northwestern University, specifically the institution previously funded under the earlier iteration of this program. The application must demonstrate continued capability to manage complex, multi-site clinical research and adhere to the governance structure established by the Liver Cirrhosis Network, including participation in steering committees and compliance with NIH policies. Applications were required to be submitted electronically through systems such as Grants.gov, ASSIST, or institutional system-to-system solutions, with tracking through eRA Commons. Applicants needed to follow the NIH Research Application Guide and include required components such as a Data Management and Sharing Plan, human subjects documentation if applicable, and detailed research plans. Compliance with all submission instructions was mandatory for review consideration. Applications underwent NIH peer review based on criteria including significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. Additional considerations included data management, study design, and the ability to coordinate complex research networks. The funding opportunity opened on January 9, 2026, with key submission deadlines in February 2026 and January 2027; however, the notice expired early on May 6, 2026. Awards were expected to begin in December following review cycles, with a maximum project period of five years.

Emphasize demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-center clinical research networks and strong data management infrastructure aligned with NIH review criteria