Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Diversity Centers for Genome Research (U54 Clinical Trials Optional)

Key Dates

NOT-HG-22-031 - Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Diversity Centers for Genome Research (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trials Optional)

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

The National Human Genome Research Institute, with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs)-- the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Disparities, intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications to establish Diversity Centers for Genomic Research (DCGR) at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) (as defined below). Each DCGR award will support a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary team to develop 2-3 interrelated, innovative genomic research projects that address one or more critical issues in genomics including: genomic technology and methods development; genome structure; genome function; genomics of disease; use and impact of genomic information in clinical care; genomic data science and computational genomics; ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research; and/or genomics and health equity. Along with its scientific goals, the DCGR will expand the pool of genomic scientists, clinician scientists, and researchers from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research, who can perform innovative genomics research by providing didactic, practicum and research activities and experiences that are aligned with the research projects.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.

The FOA is expected to be published in late summer 2022 with an expected application due date in Winter 2022.

This FOA will utilize the U54 activity code. Details of the planned FOA are provided below.

Research Initiative Details (NOT-HG-22-30)

. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) have played an important role in supporting scientific research and graduating and training individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. This initiative focuses on enhancing diversity(see NIH Interest in Diversity: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html) in genomics research by establishing Centers to carry out innovative, state-of-the-art genomic research studies. foster genomic research career development and enhancement for trainees and investigators at all career levels; enhance the genomic infrastructure, computational, analytical and ELSI research capability within eligible Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) ( as defined below); establish sustainable partnerships and disseminate resources and findings.

The following list provides some examples of topics that could be the focus of a Diversity Center for Genome Research. The examples listed are not exhaustive and are meant only to provide guidance.

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Genetic/environmental, including social determinants of health, contributors to disease. A Center application may involve collection of new samples and/or the use of existing samples from one or more populations of interest to study the genetic epidemiology of a diseases or disorders that present a significant public health burden. The individuals from whom samples are collected or re-used should be well-phenotyped to ensure that the disease being studied has been properly diagnosed.

Function Genomics. Functional genomics includes an assessment of how the genome functions, how genomic variation affects genome function to influence phenotypes, and how processes in the body are influenced by genomic variation.

An assessment of inherited diseases. An analysis of individuals affected by monogenic diseases or complex genetic disorders to identify causative mutations, modifier genes, and environmental risk factors during early development.

Pharmacogenomics. Pharmacogenomics research seeks to identify genetic factors that are responsible for individual differences in drug efficacy and susceptibility to adverse drug reactions as well as the role these individual differences may play in the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI). ELSI research seeks to identify, analyze, and address the ELSI of genomic technological and scientific advances for individuals, families, communities, and society.

Genomic Medicine. Genomic medicine is an emerging medical discipline that involves using genomic information about an individual as part of their clinical care (e.g. for diagnostic or therapeutic decision-making) and the health outcomes and policy implications of that clinical use.

Bioinformatics. Advances in tools and techniques for data generation are rapidly increasing the amount of data available to researchers, particularly in genomics requires researchers to rely more heavily on computational and data science tools for the storage, management, analysis, and visualization of data. Projects could include research and development of transformative approaches and tools that maximize the integration of data (e.g., genomics data, environmental measures, phenotypes, and biomarkers) and data science into biomedical research.

Genomic Technology Development. Research in genomic technology development seeks to advance methods, technologies, and instruments needed to generate increasingly complex genomic data, including new and improved methods for sequencing nucleic acids, detecting genomic variation, and mapping epigenomic and epitranscriptomic features.

Genome Structure and Function. Research in genome structure and function utilizes high-throughput genomic methods to understand how the genome is organized, to detect structurally complex genome variation and 3D genome organization, to assess how the genome functions, and to assess how genomic variation affects genome function to influence phenotypes, including those related to human health and disease.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIMH is interested in research programs examining the contribution of genetic and genomic factors to risk and resilience in psychiatric disorders in ancestrally diverse populations as described in our strategic objectives:

Specific interests include but not limited to the following:

• Discovery of genetic variants that are associated with serious mental illnesses in ancestrally diverse minority populations from non-European descent populations that remain understudied

• Interaction of genetic and familial risk with and environmental (e.g., socio- economic, demographic factors) that may influence development of serious mental illness in these populations, including genetic risk for suicide

• Deep clinical characterization of cohorts from genetically diverseracial and ethnic minority populations for genetic studies. Collection of a minimum set of clinical data and Common Data Elements is expected as per NOT-MH-20-067

• ELSI research to address a range of ethical, legal and social issues for individuals from racial and ethn minority communities in psychiatric genetics research. Examples of ELSI research include: outreach and community engagement in psychiatric genetics research study design and execution, research on how to avoid or mitigate against stigmatization, group harms, and unintended negative social implications/exacerbations of structural inequalities involving cognitive and behavioral traits, ethical and cultural issues surrounding informed consent, data sharing, and privacy for data collected in a heath care setting.

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

The mission of NIMHD is to lead scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities in populations that experience health disparities (i.e., African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural populations, and sexual and gender minority populations).

NIMHD encourages projects that use approaches encompassing multiple domains of influence (e.g., biological, behavioral, sociocultural, environmental, physical environment, health system) and multiple levels of influence (e.g., individual, interpersonal, family, peer group, community, societal) to understand and address minority health and health disparities (see the NIMHD Research Framework,https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/about/overview/research-framework.html, for more information).

Specific interest include but not limited to the following:

• Identify novel early diagnostic genetic biomarkers with clinical utility to assess risk, development, and progression of various diseases in populations that experience health disparities
• Examine the interplay of social, cultural, environmental, and biological factors (including genomics) that drive health disparities and health advantages among racial ethnic minority subpopulations
• Determine how structural and interpersonal racism impacts genomic/biological pathways and health outcomes across the life course in various populations
• Examine how social contextual factors affect the epigenome and consequently downstream biological processes
• Identify genetic mechanisms of disease or resilience that contribute to differences in disease phenotypes among populations that experience health disparities
• Conduct research to address a range of ethical, legal and social issues to avoid or mitigate stigmatization, group harms, and unintended negative consequences of genomic research design, implementation and data sharing

The Centers are expected to support an Administrative Core, Genomic Workforce Development Core, Community Engagement Core, and two to three interrelated, innovative genomic research projects that address one or more critical issues in genomics.

For the purposes of the FOA, to be eligible for the initiative, the applicant institution must be a domestic institution located in the United States and its territories which:

• Has received an average of less than $50 million per year in NIH support and less than $25 million per year of R01 total cost of NIH support for the past three fiscal years;
• Awards doctorate degrees in the health professions or the sciences related to health; and
• Has a documented historical and current mission to educate students from any of the populations that have been identified as underrepresented in biomedical research as defined by the National Science Foundation NSF, see http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/) (i.e., African Americans or Blacks, Hispanic or Latino Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, U.S. Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities)or has a documented record of: (1) recruiting, training and/or educating, and graduating underrepresented students as defined by NSF (see above), which has resulted in increasing the institution's contribution to the national pool of graduates from underrepresented backgrounds who pursue biomedical research careers and, (2) for institutions that deliver health care services, providing clinical services to medically underserved communities.

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Please direct all inquiries to:

Ebony Madden, Ph.D.

.

National Human Genome Research Institute

301-503-5620

[email protected]