Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HG 23 033

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 23 033

Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity being developed by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The overall aim is to support early-stage, innovative research that improves real-world understanding of when, where, and how genomic information and genomic technologies should be used and shared in clinical care. A central emphasis is making sure genomic medicine works for everyone, including groups and communities that experience health disparities. That includes, for example, racial and ethnic minority populations, people with lower socioeconomic status, underserved rural communities, and sexual and gender minority groups. The opportunity is meant to push the field toward practical, evidence-based approaches for implementing genomic medicine in healthcare settings, rather than only advancing laboratory discovery.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is designed for exploratory and developmental projects. In practice, that means NHGRI is looking for creative, potentially high-impact ideas that can generate strong preliminary data, test new implementation strategies, or explore new models for integrating genomic tools into care delivery. The label "Clinical Trial Optional" signals that applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the scientific goals, but a trial is not required. Projects can therefore range from implementation research and pragmatic evaluations to systems-level or community-engaged studies that examine barriers, facilitators, workflows, decision support, patient communication, data sharing practices, and outcomes related to the use of genomic information in clinical environments.

The FOA is explicitly focused on implementation questions: how genomic results are returned and used, how information is shared across care teams and systems, and what conditions make genomic medicine effective, equitable, and scalable. Because the description highlights populations experiencing health disparities, competitive applications will likely be those that directly address equity challenges, such as uneven access to genomic testing, differences in trust and engagement, variable healthcare infrastructure, gaps in representation in genomic resources, or downstream issues like unequal follow-up care. The notice also indicates the FOA concept was approved by the National Advisory Council on Human Genome Research, suggesting the program reflects broader NHGRI priorities and community input about where the field needs to go next.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The notice 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). It also notes that faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies may apply, and that regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions are included.

At the same time, there are important restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or activities if they meet NIH requirements and are justified, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.

Key administrative details provided include the Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-23-033, the NIH as the funding agency, and an original closing date of 2025-02-11. The award ceiling is listed as $250,000. The opportunity falls under CFDA numbers 93.172 and 93.393 and is categorized under Education and Health. Overall, the program is geared toward generating actionable knowledge that helps healthcare systems responsibly and effectively integrate genomic medicine, with particular attention to improving implementation for communities that have historically been left out or underserved.

• 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 2023-11-06.
• 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 23 033

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