Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 10 013
Apply for RFA HG 10 013
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies The 1000 Genome (R21)" 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 Aug 27, 2010 and posted on Aug 27, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 17, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: 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 Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education Small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The 1000 Genome (R21) funding opportunity (RFA-HG-10-013) is an NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) grant program aimed at pushing DNA sequencing technology into a dramatically lower cost and higher performance regime. Its central objective is straightforward but ambitious: enable approaches that can sequence a mammalian-sized genome for about $1,000 while still delivering high-quality data. The announcement makes clear that NHGRI is looking for technology breakthroughs rather than incremental tweaks, with an emphasis on ideas that could plausibly help reach this cost and performance target on an aggressive timeline (the initiative referenced goals around 2014). Because the technical hurdles are substantial, the program explicitly welcomes high-risk, high-reward concepts.
This solicitation uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism (R21), which is designed for early-stage, proof-of-concept work and development of novel approaches. Applicants can propose either complete, end-to-end sequencing systems or targeted solutions that address major bottlenecks within key components of sequencing platforms. That includes, for example, concepts affecting sample prep, single-molecule detection, chemistry, imaging, nanopore or other sensing approaches, base-calling and error modeling, throughput scaling, read length improvements, accuracy, and other foundational elements that determine whether a platform can be both cheap and clinically or scientifically reliable. The opportunity also encourages applicants to look beyond mainstream approaches being pursued at the time, signaling that unconventional methods and alternative technological paths are valued if they are grounded in a credible technical rationale.
The R21 opportunity runs in parallel with other funding announcements of the same scientific scope that support different project types and applicant needs, specifically companion FOAs under R01 (RFA-HG-10-012) and SBIR/STTR mechanisms R43/R44 (RFA-HG-10-014). In practical terms, this means NHGRI intended to support a pipeline of sequencing technology innovation across multiple stages and organizational types, from exploratory demonstrations (R21) to more mature, larger-scope research programs (R01) and small business commercialization tracks (R43/R44). Applicants considering the R21 track would generally be proposing bold, developmental work where the payoff could be large but substantial uncertainty remains.
Funding availability was described as contingent on appropriations and application quality. NHGRI anticipated making roughly 2 to 7 awards and planned to commit up to $2 million in total costs per fiscal year in FY2011, FY2012, and FY2013 in response to this FOA. This framing indicates a competitive, selective program designed to fund a limited set of strong ideas rather than a broad portfolio of modest incremental projects.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S. research and development performers as well as certain non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) types), state governments, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as clarified in the full announcement. The listing also indicates that eligible agencies of the federal government and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) could apply, which is notable because not all NIH opportunities allow foreign organizational applicants. The program does not require cost sharing or matching.
Administrative details in the source data show the opportunity is a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category under CFDA 93.172 (Human Genome Research). It was posted and created on August 27, 2010, with an original and final closing date of October 17, 2012, and an archive date of November 17, 2012. The full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide page at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-10-013.html, and the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts were provided for technical access and linking issues.
Overall, this FOA is best understood as NHGRI-backed seed funding for disruptive sequencing technology concepts, explicitly designed to accelerate the field toward the long-standing benchmark of the $1,000 genome by supporting inventive platform ideas or critical component innovations that could substantially reduce cost while maintaining or improving data quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The 1000 Genome (R21)" opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) funding opportunity that supports exploratory, high-impact research aimed at transforming DNA sequencing technology. It is identified as RFA-HG-10-013 and uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism (R21).
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is to enable approaches capable of sequencing a mammalian-sized genome for about $1,000 while still producing high-quality data. The emphasis is on reaching dramatically lower costs and higher performance compared with existing technologies.
What kind of projects is NHGRI looking for under this R21?
NHGRI is seeking technology breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements. The opportunity explicitly welcomes high-risk, high-reward concepts that can credibly move the field toward the $1,000 genome cost and performance target on an aggressive timeline (the initiative referenced goals around 2014).
What does the R21 mechanism imply about the project stage?
The R21 mechanism is intended for early-stage, exploratory, and developmental work, including proof-of-concept studies and development of novel approaches. Projects are generally expected to involve substantial uncertainty but potentially large payoffs.
Can applicants propose a complete sequencing system, or only individual components?
Both are allowed. Applicants can propose an end-to-end sequencing system or targeted solutions that address major bottlenecks in key components of sequencing platforms.
What types of sequencing technology components or bottlenecks are in scope?
The opportunity allows targeted innovations across foundational elements that influence cost, performance, and data quality. Examples mentioned include sample preparation, single-molecule detection, sequencing chemistry, imaging, nanopore or other sensing approaches, base-calling and error modeling, scaling throughput, improving read length, and improving accuracy.
Are unconventional or non-mainstream approaches encouraged?
Yes. The announcement encourages applicants to look beyond mainstream approaches being pursued at the time and signals that unconventional methods and alternative technological paths are valued when supported by a credible technical rationale.
How does this R21 relate to other NHGRI funding announcements on the same topic?
This R21 runs in parallel with companion funding announcements of the same scientific scope that support different project types and applicant needs, including an R01 FOA (RFA-HG-10-012) and SBIR/STTR FOAs using R43/R44 mechanisms (RFA-HG-10-014). Together, these FOAs were intended to support a pipeline from exploratory demonstrations (R21) to larger-scope research programs (R01) and small business commercialization tracks (R43/R44).
How many awards were expected to be made?
NHGRI anticipated making roughly 2 to 7 awards in response to this FOA, depending on appropriations and application quality.
How much funding was NHGRI planning to commit?
NHGRI planned to commit up to $2 million in total costs per fiscal year for FY2011, FY2012, and FY2013, contingent on appropriations and the quality of applications received.
Is funding guaranteed once you apply?
No. Funding availability was explicitly described as contingent on appropriations and application quality, and the program was framed as competitive and selective.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. research and development performers as well as certain non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), state governments, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as described in the full announcement. Eligible agencies of the federal government and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) could also apply.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility description indicates that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are eligible, which is notable because not all NIH opportunities permit foreign organizational applicants.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The program does not require cost sharing or matching.
What is the funding type and activity category?
The opportunity is a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category.
What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA listing is 93.172, Human Genome Research.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted and created on August 27, 2010. The original and final closing date was October 17, 2012. The archive date was November 17, 2012.
Where can applicants find the full announcement text?
The full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-10-013.html
Who was listed for technical help with access or linking issues?
The NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts were provided for technical access and linking issues.
What is the overall purpose of this FOA in the broader sequencing technology landscape?
Overall, the FOA is positioned as NHGRI-backed seed funding for disruptive sequencing technology concepts designed to accelerate progress toward the long-standing benchmark of the $1,000 genome by supporting inventive platform ideas or critical component innovations that can substantially reduce cost while maintaining or improving data quality.
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