The NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) Genomic Research Centers

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (NIDDK) seeks to advance its mission by continuing the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC). The IBDGC has led collaborative efforts resulting in the identification of >300 genetic risk loci for different IBD subtypes across patient populations and characterization of underlying biological mechanisms. Despite advances in biological understanding and the development of a range of biologic therapies, IBD remains a chronic, severe and heterogenous disease with no cure requiring multiple interventions over the life course. Diagnostic biomarkers and accurate predictors of critical outcomes including disease remission, recurrence, and response to specific therapies are lacking. The IBDGC will leverage patient cohorts, biospecimens and advances in data science to characterize the interactions of genetic, clinical and environmental factors in disease development and progression, and to develop new predictors of disease outcomes, with the goal of improving medical management and advancing precision medicine for IBD patients. The IBDGC may include up to 7 Genomic Research Centers with varying research emphases, which will serve as sites for participant enrollment, molecular analysis of biospecimens and bioinformatics and computational analyses.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...