Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 17 011
The National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) (U2C) funding opportunity (RFA-RM-17-011) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to build and sustain a national-scale, public metabolomics data repository. The main purpose is to ensure that raw and processed metabolomics datasets produced across NIH-funded large programs, individual investigator awards, and broader biomedical research efforts can be deposited, preserved, and made widely accessible. In practical terms, this FOA is NIH's push to move metabolomics toward the kind of standardized, searchable, reusable data ecosystem that already exists in other "omics" fields, so that researchers can reproduce analyses, combine datasets, and generate new discoveries without having to recreate expensive experiments from scratch.
A core feature of the initiative is that the repository must operate in a cloud computing environment. The expectation is not just passive storage, but an integrated platform where data, metadata, and essential tools are co-located so users can find datasets, understand what they contain, and reanalyze them efficiently. This includes the infrastructure needed for data ingestion (submission pipelines), validation/quality checks, indexing for search, and providing access pathways that support both human users and computational workflows. The aim is to make metabolomics data FAIR in practice: findable through robust search, accessible with clear policies, interoperable through consistent metadata and formats, and reusable through documentation, provenance, and citation practices.
The FOA builds directly on prior NIH Common Fund work. In Stage I of the Common Fund Metabolomics Program, NIH established the Metabolomics Data Repository and Coordination Center (DRCC) to begin addressing the community need for shared data infrastructure. Under this NMDR announcement, applicants are expected to continue that momentum by maintaining and upgrading the existing repository capabilities while expanding scope and durability to serve as a national resource. That generally implies continuity of operations (so current datasets and users are not disrupted) alongside technical modernization, scaling, and improved user-facing and programmatic access.
Beyond the technical platform, NIH highlights governance as a major requirement. The funded awardee is expected to create a governance structure that meaningfully engages the broader metabolomics community, rather than leaving repository direction solely to the implementing organization. The intent is for community-informed decision-making that guides ongoing technical improvements and expansion, and also shapes the policies that determine how data are deposited, accessed, and cited. In other words, the NMDR is envisioned as a community resource with shared norms: clear rules for submitters, consistent expectations for metadata and documentation, transparent access terms, and standardized citation guidance so that data generators receive appropriate credit and users know how to reference datasets in publications.
As a cooperative agreement (U2C), the award mechanism signals that NIH anticipates substantial programmatic involvement during the project period compared with a typical grant. Cooperative agreements usually mean closer coordination between the recipient and NIH staff on milestones, priorities, and operational decisions, which fits the nature of a national repository that must align with NIH-wide data sharing goals, evolving standards, and the needs of multiple NIH programs and scientific communities.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Higher education institutions can apply (both public/state-controlled and private), as can nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign entities are treated in a nuanced way: non-U.S. organizations and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the main applicant, but non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant can include certain international activities or partners as part of the project.
From the opportunity metadata, this is categorized as a discretionary federal funding opportunity with a health activity focus, under CFDA number 93.310, and administered by NIH. The FOA was created on 2017-08-01 with an original closing date of 2017-10-20. Award ceiling and expected award counts are not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text or NIH funding details to understand the anticipated budget range, project period, and number of awards.
Overall, the NMDR (U2C) opportunity is aimed at establishing a durable national metabolomics data backbone: a cloud-based repository that can accept diverse metabolomics datasets, keep them well-described through strong metadata practices, provide tools and interfaces that make the data truly usable, and operate under a community-driven governance model that keeps standards, policies, and technical capabilities aligned with the field as it evolves.Apply for RFA RM 17 011
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) (U2C)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-08-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) (U2C) (RFA-RM-17-011)
What is the NMDR (U2C) funding opportunity (RFA-RM-17-011)?
The National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) (U2C) opportunity (RFA-RM-17-011) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to build and sustain a national-scale, public metabolomics data repository.
What is the main purpose of this NIH cooperative agreement?
The main purpose is to ensure that raw and processed metabolomics datasets produced across NIH-funded large programs, individual investigator awards, and broader biomedical research efforts can be deposited, preserved, and made widely accessible as a public resource.
What kinds of metabolomics data are expected to be supported by the repository?
The repository is expected to support both raw and processed metabolomics datasets, particularly those generated through NIH-funded programs and broader biomedical research efforts.
What does NIH mean by making metabolomics data more reusable and standardized?
The opportunity emphasizes moving metabolomics toward a standardized, searchable, reusable data ecosystem, similar to what exists in other omics fields. The intent is to help researchers reproduce analyses, combine datasets, and generate new discoveries without having to redo expensive experiments.
Is the repository required to run in the cloud?
Yes. A core feature of the initiative is that the repository must operate in a cloud computing environment, with expectations that data, metadata, and essential tools are co-located to enable efficient discovery and reanalysis.
Is the repository only meant to store data, or does it need to offer more functionality?
It is not intended to be passive storage only. The repository is expected to be an integrated platform supporting data ingestion (submission pipelines), validation and quality checks, indexing for search, and access pathways for both human users and computational workflows.
What access methods are expected for users of the repository?
The repository is expected to provide access pathways that support both human users and computational workflows, so that datasets can be found, understood, and reanalyzed efficiently.
What does FAIR mean in the context of this opportunity?
The FOA aims to make metabolomics data FAIR in practice: findable through robust search, accessible with clear policies, interoperable through consistent metadata and formats, and reusable through documentation, provenance, and citation practices.
How does this opportunity relate to prior NIH Common Fund work?
The FOA builds directly on prior NIH Common Fund work. In Stage I of the Common Fund Metabolomics Program, NIH established the Metabolomics Data Repository and Coordination Center (DRCC) to begin addressing the community need for shared data infrastructure.
Does the NMDR opportunity require continuing existing repository capabilities?
Yes. Applicants are expected to maintain and upgrade existing repository capabilities while expanding scope and durability to serve as a national resource, implying continuity of operations alongside modernization and scaling.
What does "continuity of operations" imply for this repository effort?
Based on the description provided, it implies that current datasets and users should not be disrupted while the repository is maintained, upgraded, modernized, and scaled.
What is the governance requirement for the NMDR?
Governance is highlighted as a major requirement. The funded awardee is expected to create a governance structure that meaningfully engages the broader metabolomics community, rather than leaving direction solely to the implementing organization.
Why is community engagement emphasized in the governance model?
The intent is for community-informed decision-making to guide ongoing technical improvements and expansion, and to shape the policies that determine how data are deposited, accessed, and cited.
What kinds of policies is the NMDR expected to establish or maintain?
The NMDR is envisioned as a community resource with shared norms, including clear rules for submitters, consistent expectations for metadata and documentation, transparent access terms, and standardized citation guidance.
How does this FOA address data citation and credit for data generators?
The FOA highlights standardized citation guidance so that data generators receive appropriate credit and users know how to reference datasets in publications.
What does the U2C mechanism mean for NIH involvement?
As a cooperative agreement (U2C), the award mechanism signals that NIH anticipates substantial programmatic involvement during the project period compared with a typical grant, including closer coordination on milestones, priorities, and operational decisions.
Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Higher education institutions can apply, including public/state-controlled institutions and private institutions. The opportunity also explicitly includes categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions listed in the provided description.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are included, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among the eligible categories in the information provided.
Are U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicants in the provided description.
Can a non-U.S. organization apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-U.S. organizations and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the main applicant based on the information provided.
Are any international components allowed as part of a U.S.-based application?
Yes. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH) are allowed. This means a U.S.-based applicant can include certain international activities or partners as part of the project.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This funding opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the CFDA number and general activity area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 93.310 and is categorized as a discretionary federal funding opportunity with a health activity focus.
When was the FOA created and what was the original closing date?
The FOA was created on 2017-08-01, with an original closing date of 2017-10-20.
Is the award ceiling or the expected number of awards specified in the provided information?
No. Award ceiling and expected award counts are not specified in the provided source data described here.
What is the overall goal NIH is trying to achieve through NMDR?
The overall goal is to establish a durable national metabolomics data backbone: a cloud-based repository that can accept diverse metabolomics datasets, keep them well-described through strong metadata practices, provide tools and interfaces that make the data truly usable, and operate under a community-driven governance model aligned with the field as it evolves.
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