Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORCs) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Nutrition Obesity Research Centers program is administered by the National Institutes of Health through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This federal funding opportunity supports the establishment of specialized research centers that strengthen national efforts in nutrition and obesity science. The program aligns with broader federal priorities to improve understanding of chronic diseases such as diabetes, digestive disorders, and metabolic conditions by fostering interdisciplinary biomedical research. The initiative emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and translation of scientific findings into clinical and public health improvements. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support institutions in creating or maintaining integrated research centers that provide shared infrastructure and services for nutrition and obesity research. These centers are expected to enhance productivity and efficiency by offering core facilities, pilot and feasibility funding, and scientific collaboration programs. The funding is not intended to directly support individual research projects, but rather to provide centralized resources that enable multiple investigators to advance their work. Activities supported include biomedical research cores, administrative coordination, and programs that encourage innovation and collaboration across disciplines. Funding under this program is structured as a center core grant with annual direct cost limits of up to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars per year, for a maximum project period of five years. Within this funding, a portion may be allocated to pilot and feasibility studies to support early stage investigators or exploratory research. Allowable costs include personnel, equipment, supplies, program administration, and activities that enhance collaboration and training. Cost sharing is not required. The program also permits clinical research components and encourages integration of clinical and translational research services. Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic institutions such as public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and certain for profit organizations. However, foreign organizations and non domestic components are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate a strong existing research base in nutrition or obesity, supported by at least three million dollars in direct costs from peer reviewed funding, with at least half of that support coming from federal sources. Only one application per institution is permitted, and applicants must meet federal registration requirements prior to submission. The application process requires submission through federal systems such as Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST platform. Applications must follow detailed multi component instructions and include sections such as an overall research strategy, administrative core plan, biomedical research cores, and a pilot and feasibility program. Required documentation includes detailed descriptions of the research base, membership structure, and resource sharing plans. Applications are evaluated through NIH peer review based on criteria including significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and institutional environment. Key dates for this opportunity include an opening date for submissions in September and a final application deadline in October. Applications are reviewed in the following spring, with advisory council review shortly thereafter and earliest awards beginning in mid year. The opportunity is structured as a single cycle funding announcement with a defined expiration date. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for corrections, and late submissions are not accepted. The program includes ongoing expectations for funded centers, including participation in annual meetings, collaboration with national program resources, and continuous evaluation of program effectiveness. Centers are expected to foster training opportunities, support early career investigators, and promote dissemination of research findings. This funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in advancing nutrition and obesity research through coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts.

Ensure a strong and well funded research base with clear relevance to nutrition and obesity; emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and core utilization; align proposal with NIH review criteria including significance and innovation