The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) www.niddk.nih.gov within NIH issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on September 2, 2015 titled “Advanced Clinical Trials to Test Artificial Pancreas Device Systems in Type 1 Diabetes” (RFA-DK-16-008). NIDDK intends to commit up to $20 million in FY 2016 to fund 1-3 awards.
New portable wearable technologies to measure glucose levels and adjust delivery of insulin and other glucose regulating hormones through an automated closed loop-artificial pancreas system are now available. Initial clinical testing has shown promising results indicating improved maintenance of close to normal glucose levels with less variability when compared with non-automated open loop systems.
The goal for the FOA is to encourage investigative teams to expand testing of the artificial pancreas system in clinical and outpatient settings. The objective is to use trials designed to generate data that will addresses safety and efficacy requirements for the eventual approval of a user friendly and accessible multi-component product.
Organizations eligible to apply for the funding include:
- Institutions of Higher Learning
- Nonprofits
- For-profits including small businesses
- Governments
- Foreign institutions
- Independent school districts
- Regional organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Public housing authorities
- Indian/Native American tribal governments
Go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-16-008.html or to www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html for more information. The closing date for applications is March 9, 2016 with the start date scheduled to be December 2016.