Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 09 003
Apply for RFA HG 09 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers (P50) and Exploratory Grants for Centers (P20) for Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEERs)" 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 Jan 8, 2009 and posted on Jan 8, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses City or township governments Small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Independent school districts Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Centers (P50) and Exploratory Grants for Centers (P20) for Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEERs) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-09-003) is a National Institutes of Health program run through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Its core goal is to build and support dedicated research centers that can keep pace with fast-moving advances in genomics by studying the ethical, legal, and social issues that come with emerging genome technologies and the growing availability and use of genomic information. The program is structured around two related grant mechanisms: the P50 “center” award, which typically supports more mature, fully developed centers with multiple integrated projects, and the P20 “exploratory center” award, which is meant to help groups form or expand into a center model, test collaborative structures, and develop a coherent research agenda that can grow into a larger, sustained effort.
A central theme of the CEER program is transdisciplinary teamwork. NHGRI is explicitly looking for center-based teams that can cross traditional academic and professional boundaries and create new lines of research and practice between fields that do not always work together. That includes collaborations spanning basic genomic science and the social sciences, clinical research and health policy, ethics and law, and also the humanities and other disciplines that shape how society interprets and governs scientific progress. The intent is not just to assemble experts from different areas, but to create a working environment where the mix of perspectives produces research that is more responsive, more practical, and better suited to real-world decision-making as new genomic applications roll out.
Another defining expectation is that these centers remain flexible and responsive. The announcement emphasizes the need for expertise and agility to anticipate ELSI challenges, conduct research as issues emerge, and respond rapidly when new technologies or new uses of genomic data raise urgent questions. In practice, that means CEERs are meant to be positioned to address topics like privacy and data sharing, consent and governance, the use of genomics in clinical care and public health, discrimination and equity concerns, responsibilities around returning results, and broader societal effects of integrating genomic information into everyday settings. The emphasis on speed and readiness reflects the reality that genomic innovation can outpace the development of policy, professional norms, and public understanding.
The opportunity also places strong weight on meaningful community and stakeholder engagement, especially across diverse racial, ethnic, and demographic groups. CEERs are expected to foster collaborations among people from varied backgrounds and to involve members of multiple communities in planning and conducting research, shaping policy-related activities, and participating in training. This is framed as more than outreach; it is an expectation that research and related activities reflect lived experience, varied community priorities, and the practical consequences of how genomics is implemented. The program’s diversity emphasis is tied both to fairness and to research quality, recognizing that ELSI questions often look different depending on community history, access to health care, trust in institutions, and patterns of benefit and burden.
A further role of CEERs is to help connect ELSI research to the policy world. The announcement makes clear that relevant findings and deliberations should be made available to policy makers “as appropriate,” which signals that CEERs are expected to translate research into forms that can inform guidance, regulation, institutional decision-making, and professional standards. While it does not prescribe a single pathway for policy engagement, the overall purpose points toward dissemination and interaction that go beyond academic publication, including policy briefs, stakeholder convenings, and other vehicles that help decision-makers use ELSI evidence and analysis when responding to developments in genomic science and technology.
Training is a major required component of the CEER concept. The centers are responsible for contributing to the development of the next generation of ELSI researchers. There is a particular emphasis on expanding opportunity for researchers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. In other words, the program is not only funding research projects; it is also investing in the people and pathways needed to sustain and diversify the ELSI workforce over time, likely through mentorship structures, interdisciplinary training experiences, and opportunities for early-career investigators to participate in center research and related activities.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health area under CFDA 93.172 (Human Genome Research). The estimated total funding listed for the announcement is $3.9 million, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. The opportunity was posted January 8, 2009, with an original and current closing date of May 14, 2009, and an archive date of June 14, 2009, meaning it was a time-limited competition rather than an open-ended rolling program announcement.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other than small businesses), and a range of governmental bodies such as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. The eligibility list also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), as well as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities. Additional eligible applicant categories mentioned include historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. Taken together, that scope signals an intent to invite center-building efforts not only from traditional academic hubs but also from institutions and organizations that are closely connected to communities affected by genomic policy and practice.
The funding announcement is associated with NIH and includes a link to the full notice (as provided in the source) and general support contacts through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster for access or linking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is titled "The Centers (P50) and Exploratory Grants for Centers (P20) for Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEERs)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-09-003. It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program run through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
What is the main goal of the CEER program?
The core goal is to build and support dedicated research centers that can keep pace with fast-moving advances in genomics by studying the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that arise from emerging genome technologies and the growing availability and use of genomic information.
What grant mechanisms are included in this announcement?
The program is structured around two related grant mechanisms: the P50 "center" award and the P20 "exploratory center" award.
What is the difference between the P50 and P20 mechanisms?
The P50 mechanism typically supports more mature, fully developed centers with multiple integrated projects. The P20 mechanism is intended to help groups form or expand into a center model, test collaborative structures, and develop a coherent research agenda that can grow into a larger, sustained effort.
What does NHGRI mean by "transdisciplinary" teamwork in this program?
A central theme is transdisciplinary teamwork, where center-based teams cross traditional academic and professional boundaries and create new lines of research and practice between fields that do not always work together. The intent is not only to bring different experts to the table, but to create a working environment where the mix of perspectives produces research that is more responsive, practical, and useful for real-world decisions as new genomic applications are introduced.
What kinds of cross-field collaborations does the program encourage?
The announcement highlights collaborations that span basic genomic science and the social sciences, clinical research and health policy, ethics and law, and the humanities and other disciplines that influence how society interprets and governs scientific progress.
What topics might CEERs address under this opportunity?
CEERs are expected to be positioned to address ELSI topics that emerge alongside genomic innovation. Examples named in the announcement include privacy and data sharing, consent and governance, the use of genomics in clinical care and public health, discrimination and equity concerns, responsibilities around returning results, and broader societal effects of integrating genomic information into everyday settings.
Why does the announcement emphasize flexibility and rapid responsiveness?
The announcement stresses that genomic innovation can outpace policy development, professional norms, and public understanding. CEERs are therefore expected to have the expertise and agility to anticipate ELSI challenges, conduct research as issues emerge, and respond rapidly when new technologies or new uses of genomic data raise urgent questions.
What does the opportunity say about community and stakeholder engagement?
The opportunity places strong weight on meaningful community and stakeholder engagement, especially across diverse racial, ethnic, and demographic groups. CEERs are expected to foster collaborations among people from varied backgrounds and involve members of multiple communities in planning and conducting research, shaping policy-related activities, and participating in training.
Is community engagement treated as outreach or something more?
It is framed as more than outreach. The expectation is that research and related activities reflect lived experience, varied community priorities, and the practical consequences of how genomics is implemented.
How does the program connect ELSI research to policymaking?
The announcement indicates that relevant findings and deliberations should be made available to policymakers "as appropriate." This points to an expectation that CEERs translate research into forms that can inform guidance, regulation, institutional decision-making, and professional standards, going beyond academic publication.
What are examples of policy-related dissemination activities mentioned or implied by the announcement?
While no single pathway is required, the description points toward outputs and interactions such as policy briefs, stakeholder convenings, and other vehicles that help decision-makers use ELSI evidence and analysis when responding to developments in genomic science and technology.
Is training required as part of a CEER?
Yes. Training is described as a major required component of the CEER concept, with centers responsible for contributing to development of the next generation of ELSI researchers.
Which groups are specifically emphasized in the training and workforce development component?
The opportunity highlights expanding opportunity for researchers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health area under CFDA 93.172 (Human Genome Research).
How much total funding is estimated for this announcement?
The estimated total funding listed is $3.9 million.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on January 8, 2009. The original and current closing date was May 14, 2009. The archive date was June 14, 2009, indicating it was a time-limited competition rather than an open-ended rolling announcement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations and government entities, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other than small businesses); and governmental bodies such as state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are explicitly included in the eligibility categories.
Does the eligibility list include minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations?
Yes. Additional eligible applicant categories mentioned include historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and faith-based and community-based organizations, among others.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included in the eligibility categories listed.
Is this opportunity intended only for traditional academic medical centers?
No. The scope of eligibility signals an intent to invite center-building efforts not only from traditional academic hubs but also from institutions and organizations closely connected to communities affected by genomic policy and practice.
Which NIH institute runs this opportunity?
The program is run through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) within NIH.
Where can applicants find the full notice or get help with access issues?
The funding announcement is associated with NIH and includes a link to the full notice (as provided in the source). The information also notes general support contacts through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster for access or linking issues.
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