Diversity Centers for Genome Research (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trials Optional) | RFA HG 22 027

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Diversity Centers for Genome Research (DCGR) funding opportunity?

The Diversity Centers for Genome Research (DCGR) opportunity (RFA-HG-22-027) is an NIH cooperative agreement designed to help build the next generation of genomics research centers at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The long-term aim is to establish durable Genomic Research Centers at eligible MSIs that serve historically underrepresented populations in biomedical research.

What is the overall purpose of the DCGR program?

The program is intended to help eligible MSIs develop sustainable, center-like genomics research capacity. That includes building scientific programs, training pipelines, administrative infrastructure, and community engagement strategies that position the institution to lead competitive genomics research over the long term.

What type of NIH award mechanism is used in this FOA?

This FOA uses a phased UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement mechanism. It begins with a UG3 development and planning phase and may transition to a UH3 implementation phase if milestones are met.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates NIH expects substantial involvement in the project. Compared to a standard research grant, NIH involvement typically includes collaboration on milestones, coordination, and programmatic oversight during the project.

What is emphasized during the UG3 (development and planning) phase?

The emphasis is on development, feasibility, and planning work that prepares the institution to operate a full-scale DCGR. Applicants are expected to use the UG3 period to build the practical foundation of a center, including organizational structure, staffing plans, governance, and readiness for sustained genomics research activity.

Does the FOA require a center-like structure with multiple components?

Yes. Applicants are expected to design a center-like structure with multiple integrated components, including administrative capacity and dedicated cores for genomic workforce development and community engagement.

What is the Workforce Development Core expected to do?

The workforce development core is intended to expand the pool of diverse genomic scientists, clinician-scientists, and researchers. It is expected to provide training experiences such as didactic instruction, hands-on practicums, and research participation.

How should training activities relate to the proposed research?

Training activities are expected to align closely with the proposed research projects so trainees gain relevant skills in the actual methods, technologies, and ethical or computational approaches being used by the center.

What is the Community Engagement Core expected to do?

The FOA calls for a dedicated community engagement core as real functioning infrastructure (not a placeholder). The purpose is to support the center's overall research and training aims with meaningful community engagement strategies.

How many research projects are expected in an application?

Applications are expected to include two to three interrelated, innovative genomics research projects that fit together thematically and benefit from shared infrastructure.

What genomics research topic areas are considered eligible under this FOA?

The FOA identifies a broad range of eligible genomics topics, including genomic technology and methods development, genome structure, genome function, genomics of disease, and the use and impact of genomic information in clinical care. It also highlights genomic data science and computational genomics, ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI), and genomics and health equity.

What is the intended outcome by the end of the UG3 phase?

The expected outcome is a set of fully developed, actionable plans that can support all activities of a full-scale Diversity Center for Genome Research. By the end of the planning phase, the institution should be positioned to operate as a mature genomics research center with functioning administrative processes, meaningful community engagement strategies, and a training pipeline tied to productive research programs.

Who is the intended institutional audience for this program?

The intended audience is Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that serve historically underrepresented populations in biomedical research, especially those that have not historically had the same scale of NIH genomics funding as major research-intensive universities.

What MSI-related eligibility conditions are described for being the intended audience?

To qualify as the intended MSI audience described in the FOA, institutions must award doctoral degrees in the health professions or health-related sciences and must fall under specific NIH funding thresholds. These thresholds are described as averaging less than 50 million dollars per year in total NIH support and less than 25 million dollars per year in total R01 costs across the past three federal fiscal years.

What types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?

Eligibility is focused on institutions of higher education and certain tribal and public entities, with special emphasis on MSIs. The FOA lists applicant categories such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, and certain tribal organizations.

Which MSI categories are explicitly mentioned?

The FOA explicitly notes categories including 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), among others.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.

Are foreign components allowed in any form?

Yes. The FOA indicates that foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. In general terms, that means a U.S.-based applicant may include a justified foreign collaboration component under NIH rules.

What kind of team is an applicant expected to assemble?

Applicants are expected to assemble a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary team to carry out the planning and feasibility work and to design a functional center structure.

Is this opportunity primarily for launching research projects or building capacity?

Based on the description provided, the opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building and launch platform. It focuses on planning and demonstrating readiness for a sustainable genomics center that integrates research, workforce development, and community engagement.

What is the funding activity category?

The opportunity is described as an NIH discretionary funding opportunity within the health funding activity category.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?

The CFDA numbers listed for the announcement are 93.172, 93.242, and 93.307.

What is the listed closing date for the opportunity?

The FOA lists an original closing date of 2024-06-24.

What is the award ceiling listed in the provided information?

The award ceiling is listed as 300,000 dollars (as provided in the source data).

How does this FOA connect genomics research to health equity?

The FOA highlights genomics and health equity as part of the eligible topic space and frames the overall center concept as strengthening both the science and the people who carry it out, with an explicit aim of growing a more diverse genomics workforce and enhancing MSI-led genomics research that can contribute to equitable outcomes.