Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 13 006

  • 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 Oct 21, 2013 and posted on Jun 26, 2013.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 1, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Special district governments City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 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 Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments 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) Independent school districts 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) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:

Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The 1000 Genome (R21) is a discretionary National Institutes of Health funding opportunity sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) that supports early stage, exploratory research aimed at radically lowering the cost of DNA sequencing while maintaining high data quality. The central purpose of the program is to stimulate technology development that could make it feasible to sequence a mammalian-sized genome for about $1,000, a target chosen to push the field beyond incremental improvements and toward genuinely transformative advances. The announcement emphasizes novel approaches and explicitly encourages applicants to think beyond the sequencing methods that were dominant or already heavily pursued at the time, signaling an interest in unconventional concepts that might carry substantial technical risk but could deliver major payoffs if successful.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 grant mechanism, which is designed for high risk/high reward projects and proof-of-concept efforts rather than mature, fully validated platforms. Applicants can propose an integrated, full-scale sequencing system end to end, or they can focus on key technical barriers within a sequencing workflow, such as chemistry, sample prep, signal detection, base calling, accuracy/error correction, throughput, or other foundational components that determine cost and quality. The intent is to fund ideas that could change the economics and performance of sequencing, including approaches that could simplify instrumentation, reduce reagent consumption, improve read accuracy, increase speed, or otherwise cut the total cost per genome while still producing reliable, high-quality sequence data suitable for broad research and eventual clinical utility.

In terms of funding details, the program listed an estimated total funding amount of $1,000,000, with an award ceiling of $200,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The activity category is Health, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.172 (Human Genome Research). Key dates provided in the source include a posted date of June 26, 2013, an original closing date of October 17, 2013, a current closing date of November 1, 2013, and an archive date of December 1, 2013, indicating this specific solicitation is historical rather than currently open.

Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types, reflecting NIH’s interest in drawing solutions from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and a wide range of government entities such as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The opportunity also makes clear that a variety of mission-focused and community-based institutions are eligible, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations. Importantly, foreign organizations and foreign institutions are eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components are allowed as defined by NIH policy, indicating NHGRI’s willingness to support globally sourced innovation in sequencing technology.

Applicants looking for the full official announcement were directed to the NIH Grants Guide page for RFA-HG-13-006, and general technical assistance for accessing or linking to the announcement was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV). Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted push by NHGRI to accelerate breakthrough sequencing technologies by funding exploratory and potentially disruptive ideas that could make the $1,000 genome a realistic benchmark through substantial reductions in cost paired with strong sequencing quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The 1000 Genome (R21)" opportunity?

It is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It supports early stage, exploratory research intended to radically reduce the cost of DNA sequencing while maintaining high data quality.

What is the main goal of this program?

The central goal is to stimulate technology development that could make it feasible to sequence a mammalian-sized genome for about $1,000, while still producing reliable, high-quality sequence data.

Why does the program emphasize a $1,000 genome target?

The $1,000 target is positioned as a deliberate stretch goal meant to move the field beyond incremental improvements and toward genuinely transformative advances that change the economics and performance of sequencing.

Does the program encourage unconventional or high-risk ideas?

Yes. The announcement emphasizes novel approaches and explicitly encourages applicants to think beyond dominant or heavily pursued sequencing methods. It signals interest in unconventional concepts that may carry substantial technical risk but could deliver major payoffs if successful.

What NIH grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 grant mechanism, which is typically used for high risk/high reward projects and proof-of-concept efforts rather than mature, fully validated platforms.

What types of projects are appropriate for an R21 under this program?

Projects that are early stage and exploratory, focused on establishing feasibility and demonstrating proof-of-concept for potentially disruptive sequencing technologies or key components that could significantly reduce sequencing cost while maintaining quality.

Do applicants need to propose a complete sequencing system?

No. Applicants may propose an integrated, end-to-end sequencing system, or they may focus on major technical barriers within the sequencing workflow.

What parts of the sequencing workflow can be targeted?

The opportunity explicitly allows a focus on key components such as chemistry, sample preparation, signal detection, base calling, accuracy and error correction, throughput, or other foundational components that determine sequencing cost and quality.

What kinds of improvements does NHGRI appear to be looking for?

Approaches that could simplify instrumentation, reduce reagent consumption, improve read accuracy, increase speed, increase throughput, or otherwise reduce the total cost per genome while still producing high-quality data suitable for broad research and eventual clinical utility.

What is the estimated total funding amount for this program?

The program listed an estimated total funding amount of $1,000,000.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is $200,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Health.

What is the CFDA number associated with this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.172 (Human Genome Research).

When was this opportunity posted?

The posted date provided is June 26, 2013.

What were the closing dates listed for this opportunity?

The source lists an original closing date of October 17, 2013 and a current closing date of November 1, 2013.

Is this solicitation currently open?

No. The archive date is December 1, 2013, which indicates this specific solicitation is historical rather than currently open.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits.

Are government entities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include a wide range of government entities such as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.

Are mission-focused or community-based institutions eligible?

Yes. The opportunity indicates eligibility includes institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Foreign organizations and foreign institutions are eligible to apply.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations allowed?

Yes. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible.

Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy?

Yes. The opportunity states that foreign components are allowed as defined by NIH policy.

Where can applicants find the official funding announcement?

Applicants were directed to the NIH Grants Guide page for RFA-HG-13-006 for the full official announcement.

Who can be contacted for technical assistance accessing or linking to the announcement?

General technical assistance for accessing or linking to the announcement was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.

What is the overall intent of the program in plain terms?

It is a targeted push by NHGRI to accelerate breakthrough sequencing technologies by funding exploratory, potentially disruptive ideas that could make the $1,000 genome a realistic benchmark through large cost reductions paired with strong sequencing quality.

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Previous opportunity: Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies The 1000 Genome (SBIR R43/R44)

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