PAR-25-229
Investigator Initiated Innovation in Computational Genomics and Data Science (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
Investigator Initiated Innovation in Computational Genomics and Data Science (R21)
Research Focus
This R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant supports early-stage innovation in computational genomics, data science, statistics, bioinformatics, and data visualization. The program targets development of novel analytical methodologies, tools, and software that advance genomic data processing, management, and interpretation—not incremental refinements of existing approaches. Research should address challenges in handling exponentially growing genomic datasets and making them findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Priority areas include machine learning and artificial intelligence methods for genomics, privacy-preserving technologies for controlled-access human genomic and phenotypic data, federated learning on distributed genomic data, visualization tools for large datasets, genetically informed causal inference, and methods to improve computational efficiency and scalability. Projects must be broadly generalizable across diseases and biological systems and relevant to human health, though proof-of-concept studies using limited disease models are acceptable if the resulting tools or approaches generalize.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, government agencies, tribal governments, and foreign organizations. New investigators, experienced investigators new to genomic science, and underrepresented groups especially encouraged.
- Funding & project length: Up to $275,000 total direct costs over 2 years (maximum $200,000 per year).
- Award mechanism: R21 grant; clinical trials not allowed.
- Key dates: Applications due February 16, 2025 or June 16, 2025 (rolling deadlines through 2027); earliest start December 2025.
- Best fit for: Computational biologists, biostatisticians, and bioinformaticians developing novel algorithms, software, or analytical frameworks for genomic data science; populations include human genomic datasets and clinical/phenotypic data.
Key Facts
Deadline
Tue, September 7, 2027
Posted
Mon, November 18, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$200,000
Max Total
$275,000
Max Duration
2 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (5)
Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed for this R21 mechanism, but the FOA does not clearly define what constitutes a 'clinical trial' in this context. Researchers proposing human studies with gen
85%
Source Text
“Clinical Trial? Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials.”
The FOA states that research utilizing 'a small number of disease models or biological systems for proof-of-concept studies may be acceptable when the resulting methods, tools, approaches, or software
80%
Source Text
“Research that is not broadly generalizable or that is relevant to only one or a few diseases or biological systems; research utilizing a small number of disease models or biological systems for proof-of-concept studies may be acceptable when the resulting methods, tools, approaches, or software are generalizable”
Up to 10% of total budget may support experimental data generation, but the FOA does not specify whether this 10% cap applies per year or across the entire 2-year project period, creating potential bu
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Source Text
“Research with most effort or resources devoted to experimental data generation; applicants may propose up to 10% of the total budget to support experimental work for evaluation of computational approaches”
The March 31, 2025 update notice states 'This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your app
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Source Text
“March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission.”
FOA states applicants should contact NHGRI program staff to discuss alignment prior to submission, but this is 'strongly encouraged' rather than required, creating potential for misalignment if not do
75%
Source Text
“All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the scientific research contact listed below or other NHGRI Program Staff to discuss the alignment of their proposed work with the goals of this NOFO prior to submitting an application.”