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dkNET community events and announcements in May, 2026
Dear dkNET Community,
dkNET provides updates on activities of interest to the NIDDK-supported community. You could keep up to date on these activities through our Twitter feed @dkNET_info, through our Community Calendar, or through dkNET e-mail list. If you have an event or funding opportunities you'd like to advertise, please contact us info_at_dknet.org.
dkNET News
- dkNET Upcoming Webinar: "BioMCP: An AI-Powered MCP Resource for Biomedical Research", presented by Yijia Xiao from University of California Los Angeles on Friday, May 15, 2026, 11 am - 12 am PT. More information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar
- Visit the NIDDK Data Science Corner at ADA 2026 The dkNET will be hosting the NIDDK Data Science Corner at the 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions! Stop by the NIDDK Data Science Corner at the 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions to connect with NIDDK-supported programs and discover valuable data resources to advance your research! Visit us during the Network Reception (June 5, 6:30–8:30 PM CT) or Exhibition Hall hours at booths #2312, #2318, #2322, #2324, #2326, #2332, #2333, and #1048 (located near poster session). Learn more at our virtual booth: https://dknet.org/data-science-corner.
Events in May 2026
May. 02-05, 2026
Digestive Disease Week DDW 2026
Join your GI and hepatology colleagues in the vibrant city of Chicago or online at DDW 2026. Immerse yourself in a world of knowledge, in novation, and meaningful connections in your specialty and beyond.
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
More information: https://ddw.org/
May. 12, 2026
KidneyX Challenge Information Webinar
Are you ready to make a transformative impact on living kidney donation? Join us for an informational webinar on the KidneyX Empower: Living Link Prize Challenge Competition, a groundbreaking initiative offering a $4 million total prize purse for scalable, innovative solutions that accelerate living organ donation.
More information: https://kidneyxempowerchallenge.org/
May. 13, 2026
Diabetes Research Virtual Seminar Series “Digital Health Strategies for Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment”
Speaker: Courtney R. Lyles, PhD Director, UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; Professor, Department of Public Health Sc iences, UC Davis School of Medicine
More information: https://diabetes-virtual-seminar.org/
May. 13, 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: Kidney Week 2026
Call for abstracts is now open for Kidney Week. Bring research abstracts or clinical case reports to a global stage. Share discoveries, gain recognition, and be part of the work shaping the future of kidney health.
More information: https://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/2026/cfa.aspx
May. 13, 2026
NIH Replication Prize Virtual Awards Ceremony
NIH invites the scientific community and the public to join us in celebrating these remarkable achievements at the NIH Replication Prize Virtual Awards Ceremony. The event will feature a keynote address by a distinguished figure in research integrity, the official announcement of all winners, and a showcase of the innovative replication strategies developed by our Track 2 winners.
More information: https://commonfund.nih.gov/replication-initiative/news/announcing-winners-nih-replication-prize-shaping-future-rigorous
May. 15, 2026
dkNET Webinar "BioMCP: An AI-Powered MCP Resource for Biomedical Research"
Join dkNET Webinar on Friday, May 15, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm PT
Presenter: Yijia Xiao, PhD Student, Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, CA
Abstract
BioMCP is a web-accessible, Model Context Protocol (MCP)-enabled biomedical research assistant that helps users search scientific literature, genes, and proteins through natural language. It connects large language models with structured biomedical tools and public data sources, allowing researchers to ask domain questions in plain language while transparently seeing which tools were called and what results were returned. BioMCP currently supports literature, gene, and protein search through a browser-based interface and a deployable containerized service. We also plan to integrate additional capabilities such as deeper protein structure analysis, richer clinical interpretation, and broader biomedical knowledge sources.
The top 3 key questions that the Bio-MCP can answer:
1. What are the most relevant papers for a given gene, protein, or biomedical topic?
2. What gen es or proteins are associated with a biomedical question, and what related evidence can I retrieve?
3. What literature is available to help me investigate a specific gene or protein of interest?
More information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar
May. 18-19, 2026
Bio-IT FAIR Data Hackathon
The Bio-IT World Hackathon is a cornerstone of the Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, bringing together data scientists, software developers, and life science professionals to tackle real-world data challenges. Focused on Open Source and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles, this two-day event fosters innovation and collaboration to deliver practical solutions. The 2026 hackathon will continue to unite life science and technical professionals to address pressing data challenges using Open Source and FAIR Data approaches. Facilitated by leaders from the NIH Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE), this year’s event will focus on projects leveraging omics data and integrating CFDE tools, improving interoperability across datasets to accelerate discoveries. The CFDE ensures Common Fund data is accessible and reusable, providing researchers with a centralized online platform f or integrating multiple resources seamlessly while enabling new insights and scalable solutions. Application deadline: April 17, 2026.
Location: Boston, MA, USA
More information: https://www.bio-itworldexpo.com/fair-data-hackathon
May. 26-29, 2026
Microphysiological Systems World Summit
Microphysiological systems (MPS) comprise a number of bioengineering breakthroughs that reproduce organ architecture and function in vitro. Fueled by stem-cell technologies, a broad variety of especially human models and test systems have emerged, which make relevant experimental tools broadly available through international and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Our vision is to accelerate the use of MPS to improve health, welfare, and the environment. The vision is achieved through:
· Research (strengthen the society as the hub for MPS research and increase its impact)
· Education (empower current and future society members with the knowledge and resources needed in biomedical research)Community (cultivate a diverse, inclusive and engaged community by increasing access and opportunities for interaction)
· Increased awareness and understanding of the utility of MPS in biomedical research, its impact on health, environment and economy, and emphasize the need for funding.
Location: Washington, DC, USA
More information: https ://mpsworldsummit.org/#
Funding Opportunities Information and Deadlines in May 2026
HIRN Funding Opportunity Application Due: HIRN Emerging Leader Funding Initiative
HIRN is proud to announce the HIRN Emerging Leader funding initiative aimed to provide support and protected time for senior postdoctoral fellows seeking to pursue studies that will enhance their transition toward independent research careers. Applications are sought from experienced postdoctoral fellows with a minimum of two years of ongoing postdoctoral experience who intend to continue research careers in scientific areas supported by the HIRN. This opportunity is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial that is itself comprised of a clinical trial intervention.
More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2900
May. 01, 2026
Funding Opportunity Application Due: The HTORR Pilot Award Program
The HTORR Pilot Award Program supports all costs associated with obtaining up to ~10 human biospecimens to be used in a pilot study, including tissue preservation reagents and shipping costs. Preliminary data generated through the completed Pilot Award study is expected to be used in at least one subsequent grant application by the end of the 2-year project period to at least one of the NIH institutes supporting the Pilot Award Program (ORIP, NIAID, NHLBI, NEI, NIDDK, NIAMS). Open to ESIs or established investigators transitioning to using human biospecimens.
More information: https://ndriresource.org/pilot-award-program/
May. 19, 2026
Funding Opportunity Application Due: DOE Genesis Mission ($293M) for Transforming Science and Energy with AI
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a new funding opportunity focused on advancing AI applications in scientific discovery and energy systems. The RFA is open to teams from DOE National Laboratories\ , U.S. industry, and academia. Phase I awards will range from $500,000 to $750,000 for a nine-month project period, while Phase II awards will range from $6 million to $15 million over a three-year project period. Teams can apply directly to either phase in FY 2026, with successful Phase I teams eligible for larger Phase II awards in future cycles. Key dates: Phase I applications and Phase II letters of intent are due April 28, 2026; Phase II applications are due May 19, 2026.
More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2908
May. 25, 2026
NIH Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks to advance its mission by maintaining strong, productive, and secure international research collaborations in support of the NIH mission. The NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent Announcement) supports international rese arch collaborations. This opportunity specifically implements an award structure of prime domestic awards with independent foreign awards that are linked to the prime. This structure provides NIH with oversight capacity for international collaborations, and allows NIH to track international funding , as identified in NOT-OD-25-104. This funding opportunity is specifically designed for NIH to support funded international collaborations bet ween a domestic prime organization and foreign organizations. This NOFO should not be used for foreign consultants, purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors, foreign collaborations that do not involve NI H funding, or any other foreign component that would not result in a foreign subaward.
More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2892
May. 26, 2026
Request for Information (RFI) Submission Due: Inviting Comments and Suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031
This Notice is a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback on the Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-20 31 (FY27-FY31). The purpose of the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan is to communicate how NIH will advance its mission to support research in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems, and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.
More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-047.html
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The NIDDK Information Network (dkNET) serves the needs of basic and clinical investigators by providing seamless access to large pools of data and research resources relevant to the mission of The National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). dkNET is hosted at University of California San Diego, and is supported by NIH NIDDK grant U24DK097771.
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