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Funding for New and Early-Stage Investigators

One essential element of the NHGRI mission is supporting researchers through their early career stages, enabling them to make the next scientific breakthroughs in the field of genomics. NHGRI welcomes applications from new and early-stage investigators through standard routes (known as Parent Announcements) and through other targeted funding opportunities, which are described below.

Contacting an NHGRI Program Director

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact an NHGRI program director for guidance as the applicants develop their research proposals. Investigators who are considering applying to specific funding announcements should begin by contacting the scientific/research contact listed in section VII of the announcement and below. Those who plan to apply through parent announcements, such as the parent R01 or R21, can identify appropriate program contacts by consulting the NHGRI Extramural Contacts by Research Area webpage or by searching NIH RePORTER using the Matchmaker tool.

Events and Meetings

Funding Opportunities at the NIH: Breakfast for New and Early-Stage Investigators

New and Early-Stage Investigators attending the 2023 AGBT Meeting in Hollywood, FL are invited to participate in a breakfast discussion with extramural staff from NHGRI/NIH. At this event, you will have the chance to learn about resources and funding opportunities for ESIs and NIs. There is no pre-registration for this event, which is open to all attendees of AGBT.

  • Date and Time: February 7, 2023, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (EST)
     
  • Location: South Palm Court

 

Genomic Innovator Seminar Series: 

The NHGRI Genomic Innovator Seminar Series highlights specific areas of genomic research by pairing an early-stage investigator that is funded by the Genomic Innovator Award with a senior researcher whose work relates to the research areas. 

Funding Opportunities

Active

RFA-HG-22-001: Supporting Talented Early Career Researchers in Genomics (R01, Clinical Trial Optional)

This funding opportunity announcement is open to early-stage investigators (ESI) with a long-term career interest in pursuing innovative research in genomics. This opportunity is open to research in all areas relevant to the mission of NHGRI, including genomic sciences; genomic medicine; genomic data science; and ethical, legal and social implications of genomics.

  • Next Application Due Date: February 28, 2023
     
  • NHGRI Program Contact: Lisa Chadwick
     

RFA-HG-21-041New Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity in Genomics, Bioinformatics or Bioengineering and Biomedical Imaging Research (R01, Clinical Trial Optional)

  • Next Application Due Date: February 22, 2023
     
  • NHGRI Program Contact: Jyoti Dayal

 

PAR-21-313Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21, Clinical Trial Optional)

NHGRI participates in two funding opportunity announcements that are open to new (NI) and early-stage investigators (ESI) from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups who are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences research workforce. RFA-HG-21-041 supports R01 applications, while PAR-21-313 supports R21 applications. Both opportunities are open to research in all areas relevant to the mission of NHGRI, as described above, as well as to specific scientific areas relevant to any other institutes that participate in the announcement, as outlined in the FOA.

PAR-21-038Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

NHGRI participates in the Katz award program, which is intended for early-stage investigators (ESI) seeking funding for projects in an area that represents a substantial change in research direction for the PI, and for which no preliminary data exist. Preliminary data are not allowed in applications to this FOA. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read the announcement and FAQ carefully and discuss their proposal with program staff prior to submission to ensure that this funding opportunity is appropriate.

  • Next Application Due Date: May 26, 2023
     
  • Next AIDS Application Due Date: April 26, 2023
     
  • NHGRI Program Contact (R21): Lisa Chadwick

Expired

RFA-HG-18-006Genomic Innovator Award (R35)

The Genomic Innovator Award supports highly innovative work by early career genomics researchers who have played key roles in research consortia or other team-science efforts. A total of 29 Genomic Innovator grants were awarded between 2019 and 2021.

Other Resources

Contacts

Lisa Chadwick
Lisa H. Chadwick, Ph.D.
  • Program Director
  • Division of Genome Sciences

Last updated: February 8, 2023