FY2023 NHGRI Funding Policy

The NHGRI Extramural Research Program is developed and guided by: (1) periodic planning processes, as reflected in the strategic plan referred to above, as well as earlier, similar documents and (2) state-of-the-science meetings that include researchers and scholars in biomedical research and are initiated by NHGRI staff. With guidance from the NACHGR, the program staff develops research initiatives to carry out the Institute’s mission. Many of the NHGRI programs, such as Analysis, Visualization and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL), Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF), Electronic Medical Records and Genomics Network (eMERGE), Implementing Genomics in Practice (IGNITE) Pragmatic Clinical Trials Network (PTN), Human Genome Reference Program, diversity programs, technology development, training, and career development programs] are regularly assessed and periodically reviewed by the NACHGR and its working groups to ensure that they remain at the leading edge of genomics research and technology and so that the Institute has a means for expanding into new areas of opportunity as they arise.

Within the scope of this overall guidance, a plan for funding NHGRI’s research and training and career development programs is developed each fiscal year. Some factors that affect this funding plan include commitments from prior years, special initiatives that implement objectives described in or as a result of the strategic Vision through Requests for Applications and other solicitations, emerging scientific opportunities, and available funds. 

NHGRI encourages investigator-initiated research through NIH parent announcements. Because NHGRI’s research mission is dynamic, the Institute staff strongly encourages prospective applicants and grantees to discuss their proposed research ideas with the appropriate staff during the concept development and before preparing an application, to ensure that any submitted application is responsive to NHGRI’s research, training, and career development mission.

Research Project and Center Grants

NHGRI will make efforts to keep the average size of awards mostly constant at Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 levels and the number of competing awards will likely be increased modestly compared to the number of competing awards in FY 2022. Consistent with NIH-wide policies, no inflationary increases will be allowed for future years. Other select budgetary considerations are noted below.

Competing Applications:

Applications that address issues relevant to the Strategic Vision and the NHGRI Building a Diverse Genomics Workforce Action Agenda will be given the highest priority for funding considerations. The focus of NHGRI funding support is on the development of resources, approaches, and technologies that accelerate and support studies focused on the structure and biology of genomes; functional genomics; the genomics of disease; the implementation and effectiveness of genomic medicine; computational genomics and data science; training, developing, and expanding the diversity of the genomics workforce; and ethical, legal, and social issues related to genomic advances. 
 

• NHGRI gives priority to applications focused: (1) on the development of technologies, approaches, and resources that apply broadly to many biological systems and that are generalizable across diseases, and molecular and clinical phenotypes and (2) the dissemination and implementation of genomic research findings and technology to the broader biomedical community. NHGRI prioritizes new genomic technologies or methods that are applicable to high-throughput, comprehensive data analyses, e.g., for genomes, cells, pathways, or populations. NHGRI strongly supports projects that broaden research involving diverse populations and the diversity of those pursing genomic research.
   
• The budgets of new competing applications will be evaluated rigorously to assess the appropriateness of the budget to the timeliness of the research goals and the available budget.
   
• In general, R01 projects submitted under the Parent Announcements will be funded for four years. Exceptions for longer periods of time may be made for early-stage investigators, or for studies requiring longer term participant accrual and follow-up.  Projects may be funded for shorter periods of time if they are in rapidly evolving areas of science, are particularly high-risk projects, or when review or Council recommend a shorter duration. Applicants submitting to a PAR or RFA other than the Parent Announcements should follow instructions in the “Award Project Period” section of the specific Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO).

• NHGRI encourages early-stage investigators to become established investigators by generally providing them support for up to five years, as justified by the science proposed, and by ensuring that budgets are sufficient to support the proposed research.

• NHGRI is aware that principal investigators who submit their first renewal applications may be at risk for a gap in funding, so special consideration will also be given to such applications during the development of funding plans.
   
• NHGRI has always encouraged and supported innovative research and will continue these efforts. Special attention will be given to applications that are innovative but whose overall Impact Scores would otherwise preclude them as candidates for funding.
   
• Institute-negotiated cost reductions for new and competing Research Project Grants (RPG) and Center applications, beyond those recommended by peer review, will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 
   
• Competing continuation applications that request significant increases over the previous year’s budget will be evaluated for the appropriateness of the increases. In general, such increases will be limited to 10% over the most recent non-competing year.
   
• Increases in project costs should be minimal, must be well-justified, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests for future year budget increases due to programmatic needs (e.g., equipment, additional personnel, etc.) will be considered only if well justified.
   
• Innovation, timeliness of the project, program priorities, and whether the applicant is an early-stage investigator or a first-time competing renewal principal investigator will be considered in funding these applications.
   
• Competing and non-competing resource grants are evaluated periodically because they constitute a significant commitment of NHGRI funds and may be subject to budget reductions. Efforts will be made to minimize the impact of these reductions on the goals of the resource.  

Non-Competing Applications:

Non-competing continuation awards made in FY 2023 will generally be issued at the commitment level indicated on the Notice of Award issued in FY2022 as described in the FY23 Fiscal Policy.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

Competing Applications:

• Applications that address issues relevant to the 2020 NHGRI Strategic Vision will be given the highest priority for funding consideration. The strategic plan identifies the following criteria for high priority: Genomic technology Development; Computational Genomics and Data Science; clinical implementation and Genomic Medicine. NHGRI focuses on projects that use comprehensive genomic approaches, are generalizable across disease; and ability to scale.
   
• The Impact Score, timeliness of the project, and program priorities will be major considerations in funding applications that may be taken out of Impact Score order.
   
• Institute-negotiated cost reductions for new and competing awards, beyond those recommended by peer review, will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Non-competing Applications:

Non-competing SBIR/STTR applications will be funded at the previously committed FY23 levels.

Research Training and Research Career Development Awards

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA)

• Priority will be given to institutional training grants that emphasize the quantitative sciences, computational biology, technology development, genomic medicine development and implementation, high priority ELSI issues, and that propose to develop scientists who can work independently and as intellectual contributors to interdisciplinary teams.
   
• Priority will be given to individual fellowships that: (a) focus on genomic sciences or genomic medicine approaches with an emphasis on the quantitative sciences, clinical implementation, bioinformatics, or technology development or (b) focus on high priority ELSI issues and provide multidisciplinary conceptual and methodological training, and (c) have mentor(s) who are funded by NHGRI.
   
• The Impact Score, timeliness of the project, and the program priorities will be major considerations in funding applications that may be taken out of priority order.
   
• Institute-negotiated cost reductions for new and competing institutional training grant awards, beyond those recommended by peer review and NACHGR, will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
   
• NHGRI will continue to honor NIH’s commitment to pay childcare cost on Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NOT-OD-21-074 and NOT-OD-21-177).
   

The full range of stipend adjustments for FY 2023 is described in NOT-OD-23-076

Research Career Development Awards

• Funding priority for genomic sciences and genomic medicine applications will be given to individuals who seek cross-training in genomic sciences or genomic medicine with emphasis in the quantitative sciences, technology development, clinical implementation, and computational biology.
   
• Funding priority for genomics and society applications will be given to individuals that propose to developa strong foundation in 1) current developments in genomic science and medicine; 2) core principles and conceptual frameworks in bioethics; 3) qualitative and quantitative behavioral and social science research methodologies; 4) conceptual and analytic research approaches; and 5) the design and implementation of inter- or trans-disciplinary research projects.
   
• Innovation, Impact Score, timeliness of the project, mentor(s) supported by NHGRI, availability of genomic resources, and responsiveness to the program priorities will be major considerations in funding applications.

Conferences and Courses

The National Human Genome Research Institute is committed to disseminating the latest information and technologies through courses and conference grants. However, our investment in this type of research will be limited (in research areas and dollars) and will be targeted to areas that seek to increase the capabilities of US scientists, especially those who are seeking to significantly enhance their skills in research areas relevant to addressing the research issues described in the strategic plan. Genomic and genetic science and medicine are now integrated into many areas of biomedical research. To maintain research focus and accommodate budget constraints, NHGRI gives priority to courses and conferences that significantly advance the fields of genome sciences, genomic medicine, and genomics and society.

NHGRI is committed to: (1) ensuring that conference organizers actively involve members of diverse populations as organizers, platform speakers and attendees and (2) changing the culture of science to end sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, including harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex/gender, disability, and age in NIH-funded activities.

As described in the NIH’s Next Generation Researchers Initiative (NGRI) efforts, NHGRI is committed to providing substantial and sustained support for early-stage investigators (ESIs).

NHGRI is highly supportive of NIH’s efforts to encourage the support of new investigators in the early stages of their careers, specifically to support new investigators on R01 equivalent awards at success rates comparable to that of established investigators submitting new (Type 1) R01 equivalent applications. To facilitate the implementation of this NIH-wide policy, NHGRI is very flexible in the support of early stage investigators by: (1) funding applications that might have an Impact Score beyond the range of applications from established investigators; (2) supporting new investigators for five years, if requested and approved by the initial review group and the NACHGR, unless specific circumstances require otherwise; (3) supporting early stage investigators who are applying for their first competitive renewal; and (4) encouraging postdoctoral fellows to accelerate their independence in academia through the use of the Pathway to Independence Awards, Genomic Innovator Awards and the Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grants. 

Beyond these policies, NHGRI staff is aware that the early career years and career transitions are fraught with uncertainties, so we make special efforts to work with trainees and young investigators. Our contact with potential new investigators begins with pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellows and career development awardees. In the initial phases of the fellowship or career award, NHGRI staff discusses with fellows and awardees the importance of obtaining strong mentorship, learning from peer relationships and generating quality publications. During the last year of the award, staff counsels fellows and awardees about the various options for furthering their research careers, whether through a career development award or an investigator-initiated grant.  In addition, staff is always available to answer questions about program priorities, how to prepare a meritorious grant application, how the peer review process works, and how to work within the NIH system.

NHGRI is highly supportive of investigators from diverse populations, including individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and women who apply for support in areas within NHGRI’s mission. This support encompasses applications for Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. support, applications in response to all of NHGRI’s funding opportunity announcements (NOFOs), and NIH parent NOFOs in which NHGRI participates. Individuals from populations underrepresented in the Biomedical Sciences are also supported at various career levels under NHGRI’s Diversity Action Plan that is associated with institutions having significant investments in NIH funded genomics research: Diversity Centers for Genome Research (RFA-HG-22-026 and RFA-HG-22-027), New Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity in Genomics, Bioinformatics, or Bioengineering and Biomedical Imaging Research program and Small Grants for New Investiagators to Promote Diversity in Health Related research, both of which support early stage investigators and new Investigators from diverse backgrounds; the Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into Genomic Fields to Enhance Diversity (GREAT) program which supports educational activities that encourage undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to pursue further training and careers in genomics research; and the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program that supports educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a diverse workforce and the support of diversity supplements to parent applications. All of these programs advance the goals of the NHGRI strategic plan and NHGRI Action Agenda.

Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Direct Cost for Any One Year

NIH requires pre-approval for single applications or for multi-site collaborative studies requesting $500,000 or more in annual direct costs in any year. Applicants are encouraged to interact with NHGRI staff during the concept development of applications that request $500,000 or more in direct costs.  Applicants planning large grants should request approval from NIH staff at least eight weeks in advance for planned receipt dates between January 2 and February 15 (inclusive) of any calendar year and at least six weeks in advance for planned receipt dates between February 16 and December 30 (inclusive). The NIH “Revised Policy On The Acceptance For Review of Unsolicited Applications That Request $500,000 Or More In Direct Costs (NOT-OD-02-004)”.

See also: Letters of Intent and Requests for Acceptance of Applications Requesting More than $500,000 Direct Costs

NIH and NHGRI Expectations for Data Sharing

The NIH requires researchers to prospectively plan for how scientific data will be preserved and shared through submission of a Data Management and Sharing Plan (Plan) as part of the grant or contract application (NOT-OD-21-013). All research funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH that results in the generation of scientific data must submit a Plan. Plans will undergo programmatic assessment by NHGRI, and the final negotiated Plan will become a Term and Condition of the Notice of Award.

Researchers must also comply with the NIH Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy (NOT-OD-14-124). Per NOT-OD-22-198, Plans for sharing genomic data as expected by the GDS Policy are to be described in the DMS Plan submitted at the time of application.

NHGRI-funded researchers are expected to share comprehensive and high-quality metadata and phenotypic, clinical, and environmental exposure data associated with the study (NOT-HG-21-022).

For additional information on NHGRI-specific expectations and guidance for complying with NIH data sharing policies, see Data Sharing Policies and Expectations.

Salary Limitations on Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts

NHGRI adheres to the salary limitations for NIH grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), restricts the amount of direct salary which may be paid to an individual under an HHS grant, cooperative agreement, or applicable contract to a rate no greater than Executive Level II of the Federal Executive Pay Scale. Effective January 1, 2023, the Executive Level II salary level is $212,100