Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HG 25 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 25 003

The Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (RFA-HG-25-003) is a planned National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant announcement from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) focused on pushing genomic medicine from promising science into real-world clinical practice. The central goal is to stimulate innovative, early-stage research that clarifies when, where, and how genomic information and genomic technologies should be used in routine care, and how that information can be responsibly shared to improve health outcomes. A major emphasis is ensuring that implementation approaches work for everyone, including populations and communities that experience health disparities, such as racial and ethnic minority groups, people with lower socioeconomic status, underserved rural communities, and sexual and gender minority groups. In practical terms, the funding is aimed at studies that test or refine strategies for integrating genomics into healthcare systems, clinical workflows, and patient-provider decision-making, while also addressing barriers that can prevent equitable access or benefit.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is designed for exploratory and developmental projects. R21s typically support high-impact ideas that may be at an earlier stage and need targeted funding to generate proof-of-concept data, develop and pilot approaches, or answer focused implementation questions. The notice indicates that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose projects that include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but they are not required to do so. The opportunity category is discretionary, the instrument is a grant, and it falls under education and health-related funding activity areas. The posted award ceiling is $250,000, and the original closing date listed is February 11, 2025. The notice also explains that the forthcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement is based on a concept recently approved by the National Advisory Council on Human Genome Research, and it is being shared in advance so potential applicants have time to plan projects that align closely with the intended scope.

Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations. The opportunity also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it states that non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply; however, foreign components, as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. That combination typically signals that the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and lead the project, while certain well-justified international elements may be included as components when permitted under NIH policy.

Overall, NHGRI is signaling strong interest in projects that move beyond purely technical advances to address the real implementation challenges of genomic medicine: how genomic results are delivered and understood, how they are incorporated into care decisions, how they are shared across settings, and how systems can avoid widening inequities as genomic technologies expand. Competitive applications are likely to be those that combine innovation with practical clinical relevance and a clear plan to generate actionable evidence about implementation and equitable impact, particularly for groups that have historically been left out of genomic research and underserved by healthcare innovations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172, 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA HG 25 003

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