PAR-25-369
Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Summary
PAR-25-369: ELSI Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21)
Research Focus
This program funds exploratory and developmental research examining the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of advances in human genetic and genomic research. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and 12 partner NIH institutes recognize that as genomic technologies—including gene editing, gene therapy, polygenic risk scores, and direct-to-consumer testing—expand into diverse populations and healthcare settings, novel ELSI questions emerge. The program seeks research that identifies and addresses real-world challenges: validity and transferability of genomic innovations across populations underrepresented in genomic discovery; governance and stewardship of genomic data increasingly merged with electronic health records, mobile health devices, and environmental data; equitable representation in genomic datasets to prevent bias in artificial intelligence and machine learning applications; and prevention of genetic determinism in public understanding of complex traits like hypertension, diabetes, and depression.
Research approaches may combine qualitative and quantitative empirical methods with conceptual, legal, and normative analyses. Applied research addressing ELSI issues in genomics practice is encouraged. Direct engagement with communities and stakeholders is supported but not required. Investigators from bioethics, humanities, behavioral and social sciences, law, genetic counseling, clinical medicine, health services research, public health, and data science are invited; multidisciplinary teams are particularly encouraged.
At-a-Glance
- Who can apply: Investigators from diverse academic disciplines; multidisciplinary teams encouraged. Institutions must align with participating NIH institute missions.
- Funding & project length: Up to $225,000 total direct costs per year for 2–3 years (exploratory/developmental scope).
- Award mechanism: R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (clinical trials optional).
- Key dates: Applications due February 20, June 18, October 20, 2025 and continuing; earliest start July 2025; program expires November 19, 2026.
- Best fit for: Pilot studies, feasibility work, or preliminary data generation in genomics ELSI; secondary data analyses; conceptual or legal analyses; studies of genomic data governance, equity in genomic research, or implementation of genomic medicine across diverse populations.
Key Facts
Deadline
Wed, November 18, 2026
Posted
Mon, January 13, 2025
Award / Year (direct costs)
$275,000
Max Total
$550,000
Max Duration
3 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
R21 mechanism is limited to 2-3 year projects; applications proposing longer timelines may be considered non-responsive
85%
Source Text
“Applications to this NOFO should propose exploratory or developmental studies that can be accomplished in two to three years.”
Multiple participating ICOs with potentially different research priorities; applicants must align with specific IC's research interests or risk non-responsiveness
90%
Source Text
“Participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) listed at the top of this announcement have specified research areas of interest on the ELSI Participating NIH ICOs webpage. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review these resources and contact the scientific/research contacts listed in Section VII of this NOFO prior to initiating plans for application submission.”
The NOFO references the 'ELSI Participating NIH ICOs webpage' for research areas of interest specific to each IC, but this webpage is not provided in the NOFO text. Applicants must locate this externa
85%
Source Text
“Participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) listed at the top of this announcement have specified research areas of interest on the ELSI Participating NIH ICOs webpage. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review these resources and contact the scientific/research contacts listed in Section VII of this NOFO prior to initiating plans for application submission.”
Applications must align with the mission of the specific participating IC(s) to which they are assigned, and only certain NIH offices may co-fund based on IC assignment. This creates a potential gotch
85%
Source Text
“All applications to this funding opportunity announcement should fall within the mission of the Institutes/Centers. The following NIH Offices may co-fund applications assigned to those Institutes/Centers. [Lists OBSSR and ORWH as potential co-funders]”