Hematology Central Coordinating Center (HCCC) for the NIDDK Hematology Centers Program

PROJECT SUMMARY The Hematology Central Coordinating Center (HCCC) serves as a centralized hub for the NIDDK-funded Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH), providing critical support, coordination, and outreach to advance research in non-malignant hematology. Over the past funding period, the HCCC has successfully built a robust infrastructure across two institutions—University of Utah and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center—streamlining communication, expanding access to resources, and fostering innovation in the field. With new leadership and a renewed vision, this renewal proposal seeks to significantly broaden the impact of the CCEH through three key aims. In Aim 1, we will maintain and enhance a cutting-edge communication platform and administrative framework to coordinate and disseminate CCEH-sponsored activities. A revamped website now integrates real-time updates, social media dissemination, and user-friendly features, facilitating seamless access to core resources, training, and collaborative opportunities. Further innovations, including AI-based protocol generation and troubleshooting forums, will expand engagement and usability. In Aim 2, we will coordinate and strengthen education and enrichment activities to cultivate the next generation of non-malignant hematology researchers. HCCC will expand its online seminar series, promote CCEH resources through major scientific societies, and leverage universal membership to provide targeted support for trainees and new investigators. Additionally, direct outreach to scientific communities beyond traditional hematology will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and recruit new talent to the field. In Aim 3, we will establish an “Opportunity Pool” to develop funding mechanisms that increase accessibility to CCEH resources. This initiative will provide pilot and feasibility funding, facilitate investigator exchanges between centers, and support mentorship sabbaticals to enhance technical training. These efforts will ensure that emerging researchers have the support needed to launch and sustain impactful careers in hematology research. By advancing these aims, the HCCC will continue to be an essential resource for the non-malignant hematology community, ensuring that innovative research tools, training, and funding opportunities remain widely accessible. This proposal builds on a strong foundation while embracing novel strategies to expand outreach, enhance engagement, and drive progress in the field.