Genetic Screens to Enhance Zebrafish Research (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Genetic Screens to Enhance Zebrafish Research (R01)." The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is PAR-08-138.

Which agency is administering this opportunity?

The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the main purpose of PAR-08-138?

The main purpose is to stimulate the development of new, high-priority genetic screens that strengthen zebrafish as a vertebrate model system for biomedical and behavioral research. The emphasis is on screens that are broadly valuable to the zebrafish research community, not narrowly focused on a single gene or small incremental dataset.

What kind of projects is NIH trying to support through this FOA?

This FOA supports investigator-initiated research projects that use zebrafish to systematically identify and characterize genes, genetic pathways, and measurable phenotypes. Projects are expected to improve how researchers detect and interpret genetic contributors to important biological processes and disease-relevant mechanisms.

What does NIH mean by "genetic screens" in this context?

Based on the FOA description, "screens" refers to approaches designed to uncover new gene-function relationships at scale, generate new mutant or reporter resources, and/or produce broadly enabling datasets and tools that can be used by many labs for downstream mechanistic studies.

Is the FOA focused on hypothesis-driven research, discovery-driven research, or both?

The FOA uses the NIH R01 mechanism and expects a substantial research plan. It references a hypothesis-driven approach or a strong discovery-driven plan, with clear aims, rigorous methods, and well-justified milestones and outputs.

What scientific areas are considered responsive to this funding opportunity?

The FOA welcomes genetic screens relevant to a wide range of domains, including development and aging; organ formation and function; neural development and neural processes; behavior; sensory systems; physiological regulation; and disease processes.

Does this opportunity target a single disease area or a broader set of NIH priorities?

It is positioned as cross-cutting and NIH-wide. The FOA is part of a larger NIH initiative coordinated through the Trans-NIH Zebrafish Coordinating Committee (TZCC), reflecting interest in strengthening zebrafish as a shared discovery platform across multiple NIH Institutes and Centers.

Which NIH coordinating body is mentioned, and why does it matter?

The Trans-NIH Zebrafish Coordinating Committee (TZCC) is mentioned. It matters because it signals that the opportunity is intended to support zebrafish research that is broadly relevant across NIH rather than limited to one Institute or one narrowly defined topic area.

What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?

The award mechanism is the NIH Research Project Grant (R01).

Are awards guaranteed if an application is submitted?

No. The FOA notes that awards depend on the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Is cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. The FOA states that it does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

When was this opportunity posted, and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on April 9, 2008. The original and current closing date listed is September 24, 2010.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The FOA was archived on October 25, 2010.

Who can apply (what types of organizations are eligible)?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education; public/state-controlled institutions; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); state governments; and additional categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Does the FOA indicate any preference for projects that create community resources?

Yes. The description emphasizes screens that can generate new mutant or reporter resources and broadly enabling datasets and tools that many labs can use.

What kind of outcomes or deliverables does the FOA appear to value?

Based on the text provided, the FOA values outputs that advance the field broadly, such as scalable discovery of gene-function relationships, characterization of genetic pathways and phenotypes, and creation of resources, datasets, and tools that enable downstream mechanistic studies by the wider zebrafish community.

Is the FOA connected to specific program areas or CFDA topics?

Yes. The FOA is associated with many CFDA program areas spanning environmental health, oral health, deafness and communication disorders, sleep, mental health, alcohol and substance use, cancer biology, cardiovascular and blood diseases, arthritis and skin diseases, neuroscience and neurological disorders, child health and human development, and aging research.

Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full announcement was hosted on the NIH grants site under the link provided in the source text.

What is the central guidance on project scope?

Projects should be geared toward systematic discovery and characterization (genes, pathways, phenotypes) with broad community value, rather than a narrow focus on one gene or a small incremental dataset.