dkNET community events and announcements in February, 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 "The Mammalian Adipose Tissue Knowledge Portal (MATKP): An open community portal for multi-species adipose biology", presented by Dr. Julie Jurgens, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard on Friday, February 27, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm PT. More information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar.

• dkNET was recently featured in Endocrine News in a new article highlighting how dkNET connects endocrine researchers to data, tools, and resources across disciplines—helping accelerate discovery and support reproducible research. Check out the article "New Research Connections: How dkNET Allows Access to the Research Information Superhighway" here: https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/new-research-connections-how-dknet-allows-access-to-the-research-information-superhighway/

• NIH announced new funding opportunity "NIH Collaborative International Research Project" supports international research collaborations. Application due date: May 25, 2026. More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2892
  

• NIH announces an automatic short-term extension of Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) eligibility in response to disruptions caused by the recent lapse in federal appropriations. More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2894
  

• Forecasted NIDDK funding opportunity announced via grants.gov "Rigor and Reproducibility for Biomarkers in Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research". Estimated post date: April 1, 2026. Estimate application due date: June 25, 2026. More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2895
  

Events in February 2026

Feb. 05-06, 2026

NIDDK New PI Workshop

The purpose of the NIDDK New PI Workshop is to provide first-time NIDDK R01 principal investigators with the information they will need to be successful in securing continued support for their research programs at this critical juncture in their career. The meeting also will provide a networking forum for the new investigators to interact with NIDDK Program staff, with mid-career NIDDK-funded investigators, and with each other (peer-to-peer).

Location:  Rockville, MD, USA

More information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/ news/meetings-workshops/2026/new-pi-workshop-2026

Feb. 07, 2026

Conference Application Deadline: The 13th Annual Endocrine Fellows Conference: Type 1 Diabetes Care and Management

The 13th Annual Endocrine Fellows Conference: Type 1 Diabetes Care are and Management provides advanced support to endocrine fellows as they begin their careers as practicing clinicians and diabetes experts. The in-person and online resources include engaging and comprehensive education as w ell as career development opportunities for building knowledge, practical skills, and a lasting network of colleagues.

More information: https://www.endocrine.org/education-and-training/type-1-diabetes-fellows-series

Feb. 09-10, 2026

NIDDK Workshop: Glucagon Physiology for the 21st Century

To bring together experts and emerging investigators in the field of glucagon physiology to foster discussion and identify gaps and research opportunities. This glucagon workshop aims to bring together leading investigators to discuss the latest advances in glucagon physiology and its implications for the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases. Registration deadline: Feb. 1, 2026.

Location:  Bethesda, MD, USA

More information:https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2026/glucagon-physiology-21st-century

Feb. 10, 2026

Coaches Application Deadline: The 2025–2026 AIM-AHEAD FHIR Collaborative Training Program

The purpose of the AIM-AHEAD FHIR Collaborative Training Program is to train, accelerate, and sustain workforce development in FHIR and related technologies in various disciplines from academia, industry, and community-based organizations. We aim to expand and empower a skilled workforce, including researchers, practicing clinicians, healthcare providers, developers, informaticists, and graduate students, that is proficient in the FHIR standard, its practical applications, and its implementation, with a focus on research, innovation, and quality improvement. The AIM -AHEAD FHIR Collaborative Training Program will not only equip trainees with FHIR skills but also foster a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration, laying the groundwork for a more seamless integration of FHIR within basic, clinical, social, and behavioral sciences. Trainees will be matched with an experienced, skilled coach from the AIM-AHEAD Consortium to provide support and guidance through program milestones, including preparing a research project. Only AIM-AHEAD FHIR Track 3 trainees will be paired with a coach.

More information: https://www.aim-ahead.net/latest-news/2025-2026-aim-ahead-fhir-program-call-for-coaches/

Feb. 12, 2026

PanKbase Quarterly Webinar

Curious about PanKbase? Already using it and have thoughts to share?
Wondering how the Inte grated Cell Browser can work better for you?

Join us at the inaugural PanKbase Quarterly Webinar where we’r e listening, demoing, and answering your questions.

Date/Time: Feb 12, 2026 | 12–1 PM ET

Details on joining: https://pankbase.org/news.ht ml?id=860
The Zoom link: https://br oadinstitute.zoom.us/j/95039888063?pwd=wz3HFcER6Lwc2NhTRPV8t77nAuvQrM.1
passcode: 363662

More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2893

Feb. 13, 2026

dkNET Webinar: Proto-OKN (Prototype Open Knowledge Network)

*This webinar is rescheduled to April 10, 2026.

Join dkNET Webinar on Friday, February 13, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm PT

Presenter: Aidong Zhang, PhD, Thomas M. Linville Professor, Computer Sci ence, Biomedical Engineering, and Data Science, University of Virginia

Abstract: TBA

More information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar

Feb. 24, 2026

Keystone Symposia Poster Abstract Due: Gut-Brain Axis

The meeting will unite experts from neuroscience, gut biology, metabolism, nutrition, and pharmacology, from across academia and industry, to explore the physiological and therapeutic relevance of gut-brain communication. Held jointly with the Keystone Symposia conference on Islet Biology and Diabetes: Beta Cell Compensation, Failure and Recovery, the e vent will also examine how these signaling pathways intersect with metabolic regulation and diabetes. Shared sessions and networking opportunities will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation towards novel discoveries with clinical impacts.  Meeting Dates: March 16-19, 2026.

More information: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/conference-listing/meeting/L62026

Location:  Breckenridge, CO 80424, USA

Feb. 27, 2026

dkNET Webinar "The Mammalian Adipose Tissue Knowledge Portal (MATKP): An open community portal for multi-species adipose biology"

Join dkNET Webinar on Friday, February 27, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm PT

Presenter: Julie Jurgens, PhD, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Abstract:

The Mammalian Adipose Tissue Knowledge Portal (MATKP; https://matkp.org/) is an open-access, community-driven resource designed to accelerate discovery in mammalian adipose biology. MATKP integrates multi-species datasets across a range of adipose tissue depots and cell types, with an initial focus on human and mouse transcriptomic datasets. The portal currently provides bulk, pseudobulk, single-cell, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing data alongside interactive visualization tools, including a Single Cell Browser and Differential Gene Expression Browser. MATKP harmonizes datasets using standardized ontologies to enable cross-study interoperability and integrates genetic association results, functional annotations, and pathway enrichment analyses to connect molecular data with metabolic disease phenotypes. The platform also features a public Data Registry to support community data submission. This webinar will introduce the latest updates to the MATKP, including expanded mouse datasets, interactive features to explore the adipogenesis process, and inferred gene programs across adipose tissue cell types.

The top 3 key questions that the MATKP can answer:

1. How do specific genes influence adipose tissue biology and related metabolic phenotypes?

2. Which adipose tissue signatures, pathways, and gene programs are associated with metabolic disease phenotypes?

3. How do cell type-specific expression patterns contribute to disease mechanisms?

Dial-in Information: https://uchealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vSra3PQzQHCPMTeFJnul0w 

More information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar

Funding Opportunities Information and Deadlines in February 2026

Feb. 16, 2026

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Funding Opportunity Application Due: Clinical Pilot and Feasibility Award

Clinical Pilot and Feasibility Awards are offered to support projects involving human subjects (see 45 CFR§46.102(f)) that will develop an d test new hypotheses and/or new methods (or those being applied to the problems of cystic fibrosis for the first time), and to support promising new investigators as they establish themselves in research areas relevant to cystic fibrosis. The intent of these awards is to enable investigators to collect sufficient preliminary data to determine the best strategies and methods for approaching a major question that ultimately will require assessment through a larger-scale research and/or multi-center, collaborative trial. Support may be requested for $80,000 per year (plus 12% for indirect costs) for single-center studies; and up to $150,000 per year (plus 12% indirect costs) for multi-center clinical studies for up to two years. Up to an additional $100,000 over the entire project period may be available via supplemental funding.

More information: https://www.cff.org/researchers/clinical-pilot-and-feasibility-award

Feb. 23, 2026

The Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Resource Consortium (PKD RRC) Funding Opportunity Application Due: The PKD RRC Pilot and Feasibility Program

The PKD RRC Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) program will provide funds for one year to eligible investigators for the development of innovative and high impact projects broadly related to the study of polycystic kidney and liver disease. Although projects may be in any area, projects focusing on the following areas of emphasis are encouraged:

• Application of novel or emerging technologies to decipher mechanisms of PKD or identify treatments.

• Use of• and novel data sets (For example “omics” or EHR databases) to address basic and clinical questions in PKD, with appropriate validation.

• Use of PKD RRC pre-clinical models to:

a) decipher the early events/pathways involved in cyst initiation/formation or

b) to test therapeutic strategies

• Human biomarker studies utilizing the PKD RRC biorepository.

• Studies aimed at understanding the functions of polycystin-1 and -2, fibrocystin and other cysto-proteins or their domains.

• Studies developing innovative hum an iPSC-derived organoid or human tubuloid models of PKD to understand cystogenesis or test new therapies.

• Development of innovative resources that will advance the study of PKD. Examples include but not limited to:

o Implementation of innovative informatics approaches for aggregating PKD “omics” data.

o The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools applied to PKD.

o Novel approaches to generate immortalized human kidney cell lines that maintain epithelial characteristics.

o Generation of novel in vitro PKD models for rapid, high throughput drug testing for PKD.

o Generation of reporter mice to investigate relevant PKD signaling pathways.

More information: https://www.pkd-rrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Pilot_and_Fea sibility_Program_2026.pdf