Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - RFA-HG-25-004

1) What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)".

2) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is RFA-HG-25-004.

3) What agency is offering this grant?

The grant opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

4) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 93.172.

5) What is the main purpose of this grant?

This notice of funding opportunity focuses on advancing genomic medicine by supporting innovative research that improves understanding of when, where, and how genomic information and related technologies should be implemented and shared in real-world clinical care.

6) What is NIH especially interested in, based on the description?

A central emphasis is making sure genomic medicine benefits all people, regardless of racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status. This signals strong interest in equitable implementation, access, and use across diverse communities and healthcare settings.

7) Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?

No. This is an R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed opportunity. Proposed work should be non-trial in nature.

8) What kinds of projects fit a "clinical trial not allowed" R03 like this?

Examples mentioned include methods development, implementation research that does not meet the definition of a clinical trial, and analyses of existing datasets.

9) What grant mechanism is being used?

This opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism.

10) What does the R03 mechanism generally support?

R03 awards are designed for small, short-duration projects that can be completed with limited resources.

11) What are typical project types that NIH says are a good fit for an R03?

Typical fits include pilot or feasibility studies, secondary analysis of existing data, small self-contained projects that answer focused questions, and development or refinement of research methods or approaches relevant to genomic medicine.

12) How detailed does the application need to be (background and preliminary data)?

Because R03s are intended to be streamlined, applications are not expected to include extensive background sections or large amounts of preliminary data.

13) Is preliminary data required to apply?

No. Preliminary data may be included if available, but it is not required.

14) If preliminary data is not required, what should applicants rely on to justify the project?

Applicants can justify the work using published literature, existing datasets, or other credible sources.

15) What will reviewers weigh most heavily for this R03?

Reviewers will place heavier weight on the clarity and strength of the conceptual framework, how innovative the idea is, and whether the project is likely to meaningfully advance knowledge in genomic medicine implementation and information-sharing.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental units, including governments, schools, housing authorities, higher education institutions, tribal entities, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses.

17) Are state and local governments eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.

18) Are independent school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

19) Are public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.

20) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Eligible institutions of higher education include public and state-controlled universities as well as private institutions.

21) Are Tribal entities eligible?

Yes. Eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and also Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.

22) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity is open to nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations (noting the description distinguishes nonprofits from institutions of higher education when categorized separately).

23) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The description includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses as eligible, and also separately lists small businesses as eligible.

24) Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The notice highlights faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicant categories.

25) Are specific minority-serving institutions encouraged or eligible?

Yes. The notice highlights additional eligible 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).

26) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. The notice includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.

27) Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicant categories.

28) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

29) Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.

30) Can a U.S.-based applicant include foreign collaborators or work performed outside the U.S.?

Yes. "Foreign components" are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. A U.S.-based applicant may include certain elements of project work involving foreign collaborators or performance sites if they meet NIH's definition and are appropriately justified and structured within NIH policy.

31) What is the application due date listed?

The original application closing date listed is February 11, 2025.

32) What is the award ceiling stated in the opportunity description?

The award ceiling is shown as $500,000, indicating an upper bound on the total amount NIH expects to provide per award under this announcement.

33) Does the stated ceiling mean every award will be $500,000?

Not necessarily. The description notes that applicants should still align budgets with typical R03 expectations and the specific instructions in the full NOFO.

34) What types of research topics are most aligned with the stated goals?

Projects aligned with the goals would focus on practical and innovative ways to improve implementation and responsible sharing of genomic information and technologies in real-world clinical care, with a clear emphasis on equity across diverse communities and settings.

35) What kind of team or project approach seems best suited for this opportunity?

This R03 is best suited for teams with a focused, high-impact idea that can be executed quickly and efficiently with limited resources, and that advances equitable genomic medicine implementation and information-sharing without conducting a clinical trial.