Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 15 021
Apply for RFA HG 15 021
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers of Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEER) (RM1)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172 Human Genome Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 16, 2015 and posted on Apr 16, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $550,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Centers of Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEER) (RM1) funding opportunity (RFA-HG-15-021) is a National Institutes of Health program run by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) that aims to build and support a small number of sustainable research centers dedicated to the ethical, legal, and social questions raised by modern genetics and genomics. The core idea is to fund centers that can operate as durable, high-functioning hubs of expertise, bringing together researchers from multiple disciplines to anticipate emerging issues, study them rigorously, and respond quickly as genomic technologies and their real-world uses evolve.
A defining feature of the CEER program is its emphasis on truly transdisciplinary teamwork rather than single-discipline projects. NHGRI is explicitly encouraging centers that cross boundaries among fields that do not always collaborate in typical research settings. Examples of relevant disciplines named in the announcement include genomic sciences and clinical research alongside ethics, law, clinical and health policy, the humanities, economics, political science, anthropology, and other basic social sciences. In practice, that means a strong application would likely describe an integrated team where technical understanding of genomics is paired with deep expertise in normative analysis, legal and regulatory structures, policy design, and empirical social science methods, all coordinated around shared research questions.
The research scope is intentionally broad but anchored to "cutting edge" issues tied to genetic and genomic information and technologies. This includes the kinds of challenges that arise as genomics becomes more embedded in health care, research, public health, consumer testing, data sharing, and potentially other social institutions. The opportunity is designed not only for long-range inquiry, but also for the flexibility to pivot when new controversies, technologies, or policy needs appear. In other words, NHGRI is looking for centers that can both plan a coherent research agenda and adapt when the external landscape changes, so their work stays relevant to ongoing decisions in science, medicine, and society.
Beyond producing research findings, CEERs are expected to actively disseminate what they learn and help move that knowledge into use. The announcement stresses activities that support the uptake of research findings and center deliberations in shaping research practices, health policies, and public policies related to genomics. That implies a center should think past academic publications and describe practical pathways for impact, such as engagement with policymakers, professional societies, health systems, research oversight bodies, and other stakeholders who influence how genomic information is generated, shared, interpreted, and governed.
Another central goal is workforce development. CEERs are expected to contribute to building the next generation of ELSI researchers, which typically means training and mentoring opportunities that prepare early-career scholars to work effectively at the intersection of genomics and ELSI fields. Given the transdisciplinary expectation, this training component would logically involve exposing trainees to multiple methods and perspectives, and helping them develop the ability to collaborate across technical and normative domains.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health category using the RM1 activity mechanism. NHGRI anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding level of $3,000,000. The listed award ceiling is $550,000. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit structures), certain government entities (such as city or township governments and special district governments), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The eligibility language also highlights inclusion of various institution types and community-oriented organizations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs), and faith-based or community-based organizations, among others. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and foreign components are not permitted under NIH policy for this announcement.
Key dates in the source data show the announcement was posted April 16, 2015, with an application due date (original and current) of July 15, 2015, and an archive date of August 15, 2015. The full announcement and official details were provided through the NIH grants listing associated with RFA-HG-15-021, with technical assistance contacts routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CEER (RM1) funding opportunity (RFA-HG-15-021)?
The Centers of Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEER) (RM1) opportunity (RFA-HG-15-021) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program run by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It is designed to build and support a small number of sustainable research centers focused on ethical, legal, and social questions raised by modern genetics and genomics.
Which NIH institute runs this program?
The program is run by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the main goal of the CEER program?
The main goal is to fund durable, high-functioning research centers that serve as hubs of expertise. These centers are expected to anticipate emerging ELSI issues in genomics, study them rigorously, and respond quickly as genomic technologies and their real-world uses evolve.
What makes CEER centers different from typical research projects?
A defining feature is the emphasis on truly transdisciplinary teamwork rather than single-discipline projects. NHGRI is encouraging centers that cross boundaries among fields that do not always collaborate in typical research settings.
What kinds of disciplines are expected to be included in a CEER center?
The announcement highlights teams that integrate genomic sciences and clinical research with disciplines such as ethics, law, clinical and health policy, the humanities, economics, political science, anthropology, and other basic social sciences.
What types of research topics are within scope?
The research scope is broad but anchored to "cutting edge" ethical, legal, and social issues tied to genetic and genomic information and technologies. This includes challenges that arise as genomics becomes embedded in health care, research, public health, consumer testing, data sharing, and other real-world settings.
Is the program limited to a fixed research plan, or can centers adapt over time?
The opportunity is designed to support both long-range inquiry and flexibility. NHGRI is looking for centers that can plan a coherent research agenda and also pivot when new controversies, technologies, or policy needs appear.
Beyond producing research, what else are CEERs expected to do?
CEERs are expected to actively disseminate findings and support the uptake of research results and center deliberations in shaping research practices, health policies, and public policies related to genomics. The emphasis goes beyond academic publications toward practical pathways for impact.
What does "supporting the uptake" of findings imply for a center's activities?
It implies planning for how research findings and deliberations could inform decision-making in genomics-related contexts, including engagement with stakeholders who influence how genomic information is generated, shared, interpreted, and governed (for example, policymakers, professional societies, health systems, and research oversight bodies).
Is workforce development part of the CEER program?
Yes. A central goal is workforce development. CEERs are expected to help build the next generation of ELSI researchers through training and mentoring opportunities, particularly preparing early-career scholars to work at the intersection of genomics and ELSI fields.
What kind of training approach aligns with the program's expectations?
Given the transdisciplinary emphasis, the training component would logically involve exposure to multiple methods and perspectives, along with mentorship that helps trainees collaborate across technical genomics domains and normative, legal, and social science approaches.
What is the funding mechanism and category for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health category using the RM1 activity mechanism.
How many awards did NHGRI anticipate making?
NHGRI anticipated making about three awards.
What was the estimated total funding level for the program?
The estimated total funding level listed was $3,000,000.
What is the listed award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $550,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit structures), certain government entities (such as city or township governments and special district governments), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Are community-oriented and minority-serving institutions specifically included in the eligibility language?
Yes. The eligibility language highlights inclusion of organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs), and faith-based or community-based organizations, among others.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Are foreign components allowed under this announcement?
No. Foreign components are not permitted under NIH policy for this announcement.
When was the announcement posted?
The announcement was posted on April 16, 2015.
What was the application due date?
The application due date (original and current) was July 15, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was August 15, 2015.
Where were the official details provided?
The full announcement and official details were provided through the NIH grants listing associated with RFA-HG-15-021.
Who is listed for technical assistance contacts in the source information?
Technical assistance contacts were routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.
What kind of center structure does NHGRI appear to be seeking?
Based on the description, NHGRI is seeking sustainable centers that function as coordinated hubs of expertise, built around integrated teams with the capacity to address evolving ELSI issues in genomics and to disseminate and translate findings into use.
Does the CEER program emphasize genomics in real-world settings?
Yes. The scope includes issues arising as genomics becomes more embedded in health care, research, public health, consumer testing, and data sharing, as well as broader social contexts where genomic information is used and governed.
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