FOR-HG-26-005
Clinical Data Ecosystem for Genomics (CDEG)
Summary
Clinical Data Ecosystem for Genomics Network
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) plans to fund a coordinated network addressing a critical gap in genomic medicine: the fragmentation of clinical genome sequencing data across healthcare systems. The initiative seeks to establish a Clinical Data Ecosystem for Genomics (CDEG) that enables secure, standardized sharing of genomic structured data (GSD) and their clinical interpretation among laboratories, providers, and patients. The network will develop and pilot best practices for integrating genome sequencing data into electronic health records (EHR) and health information exchange systems, create standardized application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate interoperability, and build open-source clinical software tools that leverage these standards. A key goal is demonstrating how patients can access their genomic data seamlessly as they move between healthcare settings. The work spans computational genomics, data science, genomic data standards, and implementation science—ultimately producing implementation resources and refined practices for broader adoption across clinical settings.
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Who can apply: Collaborative teams with combined expertise in computational genomics, data science, EHR systems, genomic data standards, cloud/database development, health information exchange, and clinical genomics implementation. Note: This is a pre-announcement; applications are not being solicited at this time.
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Funding & project length: Not stated.
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Award mechanism: U01 (Cooperative Agreement).
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Key dates: Actual NOFO release date not stated; this notice allows time for collaboration planning.
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Best fit for: Interdisciplinary teams in genomic medicine and implementation science seeking to standardize and operationalize clinical genomic data sharing across healthcare systems.
Insights (6)
Consortium expertise in EHR integration and genomic data standards is core competitive advantage
The pre-announcement explicitly encourages 'collaborative investigations combining expertise in computational genomics and data science, electronic health records (EHR), genomic data standards, cloud and database development, health information exchange, and implementing genomics in clinical care.' Applicants with demonstrated track records in interoperability standards (HL7 FHIR, GA4GH), EHR vendor partnerships, or prior health information exchange implementations will be significantly more competitive than those with genomics expertise alone.
Multi-institutional network model requires early partnership development across healthcare systems
The CDEG explicitly aims to establish a 'pilot ecosystem' demonstrating best practices across 'different health care settings, including primary care.' This U01 mechanism typically funds coordinating centers with multiple collaborating sites. Applicants should begin identifying healthcare system partners, primary care networks, and clinical laboratories now—the pre-announcement window is specifically designed to allow 'sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations.'
Pre-announcement status creates timing risk; actual NOFO requirements remain undefined
This is explicitly a pre-announcement notice, not a final NOFO. While the scope is outlined, critical details—budget caps, institutional eligibility restrictions, data use agreements, patient consent frameworks, and regulatory requirements (e.g., CLIA certification for participating labs)—are not yet specified. Applicants investing heavily in proposal development now risk misalignment with the final FOA requirements.
Implementation science focus suggests preference for teams with prior health system deployment experience
The program emphasizes 'implementation resources for broader sharing and adoption' and explicitly mentions 'implementation science' as a valued expertise area. This suggests NHGRI is seeking teams that have moved beyond proof-of-concept to demonstrate real-world clinical adoption, workflow integration, and sustainability models—not purely technical infrastructure projects.
Primary care integration requirement narrows competitive pool to systems with ambulatory genomics experience
The explicit inclusion of 'primary care' in the pilot ecosystem is notable; most genomic data sharing initiatives focus on tertiary/specialty care. Applicants with existing primary care genomics programs, relationships with primary care networks, or implementation data from non-specialist settings will have a distinct advantage over those with only hospital-based or specialty genomics infrastructure.
U01 mechanism favors established research teams with institutional infrastructure and partnerships
U01 cooperative agreements typically fund larger, multi-year coordinating center efforts requiring substantial institutional commitment and existing relationships. Early-stage investigators or those without established health system partnerships may find this mechanism less accessible than R01 or R21 alternatives, though collaborative roles as co-investigators are viable.
Key Facts
Deadline
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Posted
Thu, July 17, 2025
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (2)
This document is a pre-announcement notice, not an actual NOFO. Applications are explicitly stated as 'not being solicited at this time.' Applicants may waste effort developing proposals before the ac
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Source Text
“Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.”
The NOFO emphasizes that collaborative investigations combining multiple specific expertise areas (computational genomics, data science, EHR, genomic data standards, cloud/database development, health
85%
Source Text
“collaborative investigations combining expertise in computational genomics and data science, electronic health records (EHR), genomic data standards, cloud and database development, health information exchange, and implementing genomics in clinical care will be encouraged”