Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science (RM1 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 19 204

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 204

The Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS) program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to build and support academic Centers that push genomic research forward through ambitious, team-based projects. Using the RM1 mechanism (clinical trials optional), each award is meant to fund a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary group that can take on a major biomedical challenge by developing transformative genomic approaches. The emphasis is on projects that would represent a real step-change for the field, not incremental improvements, and that tackle important problems in genomic science or genomic medicine.

A central theme of the opportunity is high-risk, high-reward research. Applicants are expected to propose bold ideas that may be technically or conceptually challenging, but they must balance that risk with exceptionally strong scientific rationale, clear milestones, and a credible management and governance plan. In practice, this means NIH is looking for Centers that not only have innovative concepts, but also show they can execute complex, collaborative research programs with strong leadership, coordination across disciplines, and well thought-out strategies for handling technical uncertainty.

From a scientific scope perspective, CEGS Centers are expected to focus on the development of novel genomic technologies and/or computational methods, particularly those that enable the production, integration, or analysis of comprehensive, large-scale datasets. The work should be anchored in a genome-scale biomedical problem, or otherwise demonstrate a compelling genomic approach to understanding biological systems or advancing the clinical application of genomic knowledge. This can include creating new experimental platforms, analytical pipelines, or data resources that unlock new types of biological insight, and it can extend to methods that help move genomic discoveries closer to clinical use. Because the funding announcement specifies “clinical trials optional,” the proposed work may include clinical trial elements if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.

Beyond the research itself, CEGS has a strong “center-building” mission. Each funded Center is expected to strengthen genomic science at its home institution by bringing together investigators from multiple disciplines and encouraging sustained collaboration. Training is also a core expectation: CEGS Centers are intended to develop both new and mid-career investigators, expanding the national workforce of genomics scientists and engineers. In other words, NIH is not only funding a set of experiments; it is investing in durable institutional capability, cross-disciplinary culture, and the next generation of people who can create and apply advanced genomic methods.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

The funding opportunity has clear restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations/institutions) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning U.S. applicant organizations may include certain well-justified foreign collaborations or activities within the NIH policy framework, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the main applicant.

In the posted source information, the opportunity is identified as PAR-19-204 under NIH, categorized as a discretionary grant in the health area, with CFDA numbers 93.172 and 93.242. The original closing date listed is 2021-05-20, and no specific award ceiling or expected number of awards is provided in the excerpted data. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as NIH support for institutions ready to run a coordinated, interdisciplinary genomics “center” effort that develops new genome-scale technologies or computational approaches with the potential to reshape biomedical research and accelerate the translation of genomics into clinical impact.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science (RM1 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172, 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-02-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 19 204

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