Novel Genomic Technology Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 778

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 778

The Novel Genomic Technology Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18 778) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant program designed to push genomics forward by funding early-stage, high-impact technology development. The main goal is to support projects that deliver major advances in genomic technologies that can make research faster, cheaper, higher quality, and easier to use, similar to how past leaps in throughput and cost reduction helped accelerate modern genomics and biomedical science more broadly.

Projects proposed under this FOA are expected to be genuinely transformative rather than incremental. Applicants should aim to either enable comprehensive genomic analysis of biological features that cannot be measured with existing methods, or demonstrate at least an order-of-magnitude improvement (roughly 10x) in an existing approach. That 10x improvement can be in data quality, throughput, efficiency, or comprehensiveness, and it can be achieved across one dimension or through a combination. In practice, the FOA is looking for technology development that clearly changes what is feasible in genomics, not simply small refinements to established workflows.

A key boundary of the program is that it does not support the development of new DNA sequencing technologies or direct RNA sequencing technologies. Applications focused on those areas are explicitly directed to separate, parallel FOAs (RFA-HG-18-001, RFA-HG-18-002, and RFA-HG-18-003). In other words, this program is meant to spur novel genomic capabilities outside of sequencing instrument development for DNA and direct RNA sequencing, while still encouraging ambitious innovations across the broader genomics technology landscape.

The mechanism is an NIH R21, and clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. R21 awards are typically used to support exploratory, proof-of-concept, or early development work where the potential upside is high, even if the approach is still being established. The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000. The activity category is Health, with CFDA number 93.172.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other applicant types. The announcement also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Key administrative details from the listing include an original closing date of 2021-01-07 and a creation date of 2018-05-09. Overall, the FOA is aimed at catalyzing substantial, measurable leaps in genomics-enabling technologies (excluding DNA and direct RNA sequencing technology development) through an R21 framework, with wide eligibility across academic, nonprofit, government, and private-sector organizations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Genomic Technology Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-05-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (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 $200,000.00 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 PAR 18 778

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: