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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

View on YouTube: Inside the black box of the NIH funding system

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

Applying for Grants at NHGRI and NIH

NHGRI will be holding an informative Early-Stage Investigator breakfast discussion at the 2024 AGBT General Meeting in Orlando, FL.  At this breakfast, you can learn tips and tricks of the NHGRI/NIH funding process and get help answering any questions you may have. NHGRI program officers and extramural program staff are eager to meet and talk to you about funding opportunities! While this breakfast will be primarily geared toward early-stage investigators, we encourage all who may have questions about NHGRI and NIH to attend!

Date: February 6, 2024, 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. (EDT)

Location: Caribe Royale, Orlando, FL (AGBT attendees)

For more information, please visit the AGBT Webpage

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 27, 2023
  • NHGRI Program Contact: Lisa Chadwick

 

PAR-24-075Stephen 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.


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

Presentations from the 2021 NIH Virtual Seminar have been archived and made available for viewing online.

NIH Early Stage Investigator Policies

Contacts

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

Last updated: February 2, 2024