Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics (IMRERG)

Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics (IMRERG) is sponsored by National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). This initiative aims to develop innovative educational programs and resources that enhance genomic literacy and research skills, particularly for students and researchers from diverse backgrounds and those underrepresented in biomedical research.

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) | Grants & Funding U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) NHGRI Policy Considerations Additional Information by Funding Category As a leading authority in the field of genomics, NHGRI’s mission is to accelerate scientific and medical breakthroughs that improve human health.

We do this by driving cutting-edge research, developing new technologies, and studying the impact of genomics on society.

NHGRI funds grants that develop generalizable and broadly applicable resources, approaches, and technologies that accelerate and support studies focused on the structure and biology of genomes, identify the genomic underpinnings of human health and disease, and ensure that genomics is applied responsibly to improve patient care and benefit society.

Research topics supported by NHGRI include, but are not limited to, the following: Genome Biology, Functional Genomics, and Technology Development Development of novel genomic technologies for measurement, sequencing, synthesis, and spatial biology. Functional genomics, gene regulation, epigenetics, chromatin, and transcriptomics, and multi-omic approaches. Comparative and population genomics to infer genome function and evolution.

Genomic Variation, Disease Mechanisms, and Clinical Interpretation Identifying and interpreting variants linked to Mendelian, rare, and complex diseases. Understanding molecular mechanisms connecting variants to biological function. Pharmacogenomics and other clinically relevant genomic analyses.

Clinical Genomics and Implementation in Healthcare Development and evaluation of clinical sequencing methods and workflows. Integration of genomic data into care delivery and electronic health systems. Studies of clinical utility, impact, equitable implementation, and return of genomic results.

Computational Genomics, Data Science, and Genomic Infrastructure Computational tools for sequence analysis, variant interpretation, and functional genomics, and multi-omic analysis. Statistical genomics, population-scale analyses, and data privacy/security. Standards, databases, and platforms supporting large-scale genomic and phenotype data sharing.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications in Genomics Design and implementation of genomic research. Integration of genomic data and technology into healthcare. Norms, values, and beliefs about genomics.

Interplay of systems, organizations, and groups in genomics. Assistance listings are detailed public descriptions of federal programs used across government agencies that provide grants, loans, scholarships, insurance, and other types of assistance awards. They are maintained in the System for Award Management (SAM) and can be used to search for opportunities in Grants.

gov . View NHGRI Assistance Listing Numbers 93. 172 - Human Genome Research Highlighted Topics identify timely or emerging research priorities across one or more NIH Institutes, Centers, or Offices (ICOs).

Use Parent Announcements or other broad NIH opportunities to submit investigator-initiated applications on a topic. While Highlighted Topics do not affect referral or review, some include dedicated funding. See the Highlighted Topic FAQs NHGRI Grant Funding Opportunity Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts NHGRI Policy Considerations All NIH ICOs follow a set of NIH-wide policies .

These ICO-specific considerations build on those policies. NHGRI General Funding Policies Additional Information by Funding Category Administrative Supplements In addition to our Administrative Supplements overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information.

Administrative Supplement Interest Areas: Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) with an active NHGRI grant may request an administrative supplement to support unanticipated costs not included in the most recent competitive or non-competitive application.

PDs/PIs are strongly encouraged to consult with their NHGRI Program Officer (PO) to confirm eligibility, discuss the scope and justification of the proposed supplement, and obtain technical guidance. Administrative Supplement Due Dates: Requests may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year but should be made at least 90 days before the anticipated need and no later than March 15.

Due to fiscal and system constraints, supplements are not awarded in October or November. Administrative Supplement Contact: In addition to our Conferences and Meetings overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information.

Conferences and Meetings Interest Areas: NHGRI supports conferences and meetings that promote the development and exchange of information focused on genome sciences, genomic medicine, computational genomics and data science, the ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) of genomics research, as well as those that promote the training and mentoring of the next generation of genomic researchers.

Applications for conferences and meetings relevant only to a particular disease or organ system should be directed to the appropriate Institute or Center. NHGRI particularly encourages applications that strengthen the capabilities of U.S. scientists, especially those aimed at significantly enhancing research skills aligned with priorities outlined in the NHGRI Strategic Vision.

Although prior approval is not required, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI program staff at least six weeks before the intended submission date. Conferences and Meetings Budget Considerations: NHGRI has limited funds available to support conferences and meetings. Proposed budgets must be well justified and appropriately aligned with the scope, scale, and anticipated impact of the meeting.

Conferences and Meetings Project Period Considerations: NHGRI will consider applications requesting support for a series of annual or biannual events for up to 5 years. Conferences and Meetings Contacts: Individual Career Development In addition to our Individual Career Development , consider the following NHGRI-specific information.

Individual Career Development Interest Areas: NHGRI supports Individual Career Development applications in areas relevant to the NHGRI mission. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI program staff prior to submitting an application. Individual Career Development Other Program Related Expenses: NHGRI will provide research support up to $40,000 per year.

NHGRI encourages applicants to request up to $1500 of travel allowance to support travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting. Individual Career Development Research Effort Considerations: NHGRI expects candidates to commit a minimum of 75% of full-time professional effort (i.e., a minimum of 9 person-months) to their program of career development.

Individual Career Development Contacts: In addition to our Individual Fellowships Overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information. Individual Fellowships Interest Areas: NHGRI participates in Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowships (F30, F31, F32) and the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award.

NHGRI does not support F30 applications for students at institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI program staff prior to submitting an application.

Individual Fellowships Key Date Considerations: Pre- to Postdoctoral Transition Fellowship (F99/K00) NIH F99 recipients planning to transition to the K00 phase should contact their NIH Program Official as soon as postdoctoral plans develop, and no later than six months before the anticipated K00 start date. Recipients should discuss their transition timeline, eligibility, and required materials for activating the K00 phase.

Individual Fellowships Project Period Considerations: NHGRI may limit project periods for specific education activities, as follows: Pre- to Postdoctoral Transition Fellowship (F99/K00) F99 Predoctoral: Minimum of 1 year and up to 2 years K00 Postdoctoral: Up to 3 years Individual Fellowships Budget Considerations: In addition to current NRSA stipends, tuition/fees, and other budgetary levels, NHGRI may apply the following limits to applicable awards: Pre- to Postdoctoral Transition Fellowship (F99/K00) NHGRI encourages applicants to request up to $1500 of travel allowance to support travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting.

For the K00 phase, NHGRI will contribute to the K00 salary in each grant year up to $80,000 and will provide up to $20,000 in each grant year towards Research and Development costs for the award recipient, which must be justified and consistent with the stage of development of the candidate and the proportion of time to be spent in research training and/or career development activities.

Individual Fellowships Contacts: NHGRI Training Fellowships Institutional Career Development In addition to our Institutional Career Development , consider the following NHGRI-specific information. Institutional Career Development Interest Areas: NHGRI does not currently fund Institutional Career Development Awards. In addition to our Institutional Training , consider the following NHGRI-specific information.

Institutional Training Interest Areas: NHGRI supports Institutional Training Programs designed to prepare pre- and postdoctoral trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research in areas relevant to the NHGRI mission. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI program staff prior to submitting an application.

Institutional Training Participants: NHGRI prioritizes funding for the following trainees: Institutional Training Key Date Considerations: NHGRI only considers applications during February Council Institutional Training Budget Considerations: NHGRI encourages applicants to request up to $1500 of travel allowance for each trainee supported by the NHGRI T32 award.

Applicants can also request up $3,000 per year in total (not per individual) to support travel for training program staff to attend the meeting. Training program staff include PDs/PIs, program coordinators, and training faculty to support travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting.

Institutional Training Contacts: In addition to our Research Education overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information. Research Education Interest Areas: NHGRI supports research education programs that enhance the knowledge and research skills of scientists working in all scientific areas relevant to the NHGRI mission.

These programs may include mentored research experiences, mentoring activities, and courses designed to strengthen participants’ research training. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI Program Staff prior to submitting an application. NHGRI strongly encourages applications that provide high-quality, hands-on research experiences for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students.

These programs should prepare participants for careers in genomics by engaging them in research aligned with NHGRI priority areas. NHGRI also encourages applications that provide hands-on research experiences for Master’s-level genetic counselors and students enrolled in Data Science Master’s programs (e.g., statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, computer science).

The goal is to attract these trainees to the genomics workforce and to encourage master’s-level data scientists who do not plan to pursue doctoral training to contribute to genomics research.

Research Education Participants: NHGRI prioritizes funding for participants in the following areas: Research Education Personnel, Participant, and Other Program-Related Costs: NHGRI may limit awarded budgets for personnel, participant, and other costs, as follows: NHGRI will support personnel costs of up to 30% of the total direct costs for applications that focus on research experience.

Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution.

NHGRI encourages applicants to request up to $1500 of travel allowance to support travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting.

Research Education Funding Instruments: NHGRI awards Research Education Cooperative Agreements (UE5) NHGRI awards Research Education Grant Projects (R25) Research Education Contacts: In addition to our Research Projects , overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information. In addition to our Small Business overview, consider the following NHGRI-specific information.

Small Business Interest Areas: Significant innovations in genomic methods or technology development. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in nucleic acid sequencing, synthetic nucleic acid synthesis, functional genomics, single cell genomic analysis, transcriptomics, multi-omics, instrumentation, or molecular kits.

Tools and techniques that use genomics to improve patient health, such as approaches to incorporate genomic results into electronic medical records, clinical decision support tools, or genomic directed health care. Strategies to enhance ethical, legal, and social aspects of genomics research or translation of genomics into health care.

Bioinformatics software or platforms for genomic, genetic, or sequence data processing or analysis, functional genomics, associations between genomic data and diseases or phenotypes, interpretation of variants, or genomic data integration into clinical decision making. Databases and data management platforms for genomics research and application including platforms for sequence, functional, or phenotypic data or annotation of variants.

Development and application of methods for machine learning, pattern detection, or knowledge networks for genomics science or translation into health care. Informatics methods and platforms that adopt data standards, enhance data sharing with privacy, and improve data exchange in genomics science or translation of genomics into health care.

Use of cloud and other computing models to improve scale, reproducibility, interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and utility of genomic and clinical data in genomics or translation into health care. Development of curriculum and educational opportunities that increase the genomics knowledge of participants at the undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, postdoctoral, or professional levels.

Approved Topics for Awards Over Statutory Budget Guidelines: Significant innovations in genomic methods or technology development. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in nucleic acid sequencing, synthetic nucleic acid synthesis, functional genomics, single cell genomic analysis, instrumentation, or molecular kits.

Tools and techniques that use genomics to improve patients’ health, such as approaches to incorporate genomic results into electronic medical records, clinical decision support tools, or genomic directed health care.

Strategies to enhance ethical, legal, and social aspects of genomics research or translation of genomics into Bioinformatics software or platforms for genomic, genetic, or sequence data processing or analysis, functional genomics, associations between genomic data and diseases or phenotypes, interpretation of variants, or genomic data integration into clinical decision making.

Databases and data management platforms for genomics research and application including platforms for sequence, functional, or phenotypic data or annotation of variants. Development and application of methods for machine learning, pattern detection, or knowledge networks for genomics science or translation into health care.

Informatics methods and platforms that adopt data standards, enhance data sharing with privacy, and improve data exchange in genomics science or translation of genomics into health care. Use of cloud and other computing models to improve scale, reproducibility, interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and utility of genomic and clinical data in genomics or translation into health care.

Development of curriculum and educational opportunities that increase the genomics knowledge of participants at the undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, postdoctoral, or professional levels.

Phase IIB & Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP): NHGRI does not accept Phase IIB SBIR projects NHGRI accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects NHGRI accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs NHGRI accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs NHGRI does not accept clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program NHGRI does not accept clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Just getting started and want to discuss your research idea?

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