Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 09 013
Apply for RFA HG 09 013
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies The 1000 Genome (SBIR R43/R44)" 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 Jul 17, 2009 and posted on Jul 17, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 19, 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 $2,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The 1000 Genome (SBIR R43/R44) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-09-013) was a National Institutes of Health funding announcement aimed specifically at small business concerns that could push DNA sequencing into a radically cheaper and more scalable era. The central purpose was to stimulate development of brand-new sequencing approaches that could deliver extremely low-cost, high-quality genome sequencing, with a clear benchmark: bringing the cost of sequencing a mammalian-sized genome down to roughly $1,000. In practical terms, NIH was looking for technologies that would not just marginally improve existing platforms, but materially change the cost structure and performance of sequencing so that whole-genome sequencing could become routine, widely accessible, and dependable at high quality.
A key feature of this FOA was its openness to different technical strategies. Applicants could propose an integrated, end-to-end sequencing system, or they could focus on one or more hard technical bottlenecks that stand in the way of a $1,000 genome. That means a proposal could target a breakthrough in sample preparation, detection chemistry, nanopore or optical sensing, imaging, base-calling algorithms, throughput, accuracy, read length, error correction, library construction, microfluidics, reagent consumption, automation, or other core components. The announcement explicitly encouraged exploration of methods beyond the dominant approaches of the time, reflecting an interest in unconventional ideas that might outperform incremental improvements to existing sequencing-by-synthesis or related platforms.
The funding announcement also emphasized that high-risk, high-payoff projects were not only acceptable but expected, because achieving the $1,000 genome target required step-change innovation rather than safe, incremental development. The timeline goal referenced in the FOA was to reach these objectives by approximately 2014, which framed the program as an urgent push to accelerate transformative sequencing technology within a few years. That time-bound ambition signaled that reviewers would likely value clear technical milestones, credible development plans, and a realistic path to major cost reductions and high data quality.
In terms of how funding would be provided, this opportunity used the Small Business Innovation Research grant mechanisms R43 and R44, allowing companies to apply for Phase I, Phase II, or Fast Track awards. Phase I typically supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work, Phase II supports further R&D and development toward a product or deployable technology, and Fast Track is designed to streamline the transition from Phase I to Phase II for projects with a strong, continuous plan. The FOA ran in parallel with separate NIH opportunities of identical scientific scope that used different grant mechanisms (R01 and R21), which indicates NIH was trying to fund both academic-style research and small-business-driven development in the same general technology area.
Eligibility was restricted to small businesses, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, lowering barriers to entry for smaller companies that might not have substantial outside capital. The program fell under the Human Genome Research area (CFDA 93.172) and was categorized as a discretionary health-related grant program administered by NIH.
On available funding, NIH estimated a total of $2.5 million for fiscal year 2010 to support an anticipated 2 to 5 awards under this announcement, with future funding dependent on yearly appropriations. The FOA was posted on July 17, 2009, with an original and current closing date of October 19, 2009, and an archive date of November 19, 2009. In short, this was a targeted, competitive SBIR funding opportunity meant to catalyze bold technological advances capable of making $1,000 whole-genome sequencing feasible by driving down cost while maintaining or improving sequencing quality.
FAQs: Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The $1000 Genome (SBIR R43/R44) - RFA-HG-09-013
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding announcement titled "Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies: The $1000 Genome (SBIR R43/R44)." The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HG-09-013.
What is the main goal of the program?
The central purpose is to stimulate development of brand-new DNA sequencing approaches that make genome sequencing radically cheaper and more scalable. The program set a clear benchmark: reducing the cost of sequencing a mammalian-sized genome to roughly $1,000 while delivering high-quality results.
What does "$1,000 genome" mean in this context?
It refers to a cost target for sequencing a mammalian-sized whole genome at high quality for approximately $1,000, with the intent that whole-genome sequencing could become routine, widely accessible, and dependable.
Is NIH looking for incremental improvements to existing sequencing platforms?
No. The announcement emphasizes approaches that would materially change the cost structure and performance of sequencing, rather than marginally improving existing platforms. The intent is step-change innovation.
What types of technical approaches are allowed?
The FOA is open to different technical strategies. Applicants can propose an integrated, end-to-end sequencing system or focus on one or more major technical bottlenecks that prevent achieving a $1,000 genome.
Can a proposal focus on just one component of sequencing rather than a full system?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly allows projects that address key bottlenecks or core components, not only complete end-to-end platforms.
What kinds of bottlenecks or components are considered relevant?
Examples mentioned include sample preparation, detection chemistry, nanopore or optical sensing, imaging, base-calling algorithms, throughput, accuracy, read length, error correction, library construction, microfluidics, reagent consumption, and automation, as well as other core components that affect performance and cost.
Are unconventional or non-traditional sequencing methods encouraged?
Yes. The FOA explicitly encouraged exploration of methods beyond the dominant approaches of the time and signaled interest in unconventional ideas that could outperform incremental improvements to sequencing-by-synthesis or related platforms.
How does the FOA view project risk?
High-risk, high-payoff projects are not only acceptable but expected, because achieving the $1,000 genome target was framed as requiring transformative innovation rather than safe, incremental development.
What timeline did the program reference for achieving the objectives?
The FOA referenced a goal of reaching these objectives by approximately 2014, framing the program as an urgent push to accelerate transformative sequencing technology within a few years.
What grant mechanisms are used for funding?
The opportunity uses the SBIR grant mechanisms R43 and R44. Applicants could apply for Phase I, Phase II, or Fast Track awards.
What is the difference between Phase I, Phase II, and Fast Track under this FOA?
Phase I typically supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work. Phase II supports further R&D and development toward a product or deployable technology. Fast Track is intended to streamline the transition from Phase I to Phase II for projects with a strong, continuous plan.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to small business concerns, consistent with the SBIR program focus.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which reduces barriers for small companies without substantial outside capital.
What NIH program area does this opportunity fall under?
It falls under the Human Genome Research area and is associated with CFDA 93.172.
How much funding was expected to be available?
NIH estimated a total of $2.5 million for fiscal year 2010 under this announcement.
How many awards did NIH expect to make?
The FOA anticipated making approximately 2 to 5 awards.
Is future funding guaranteed?
No. The FOA noted that future funding would depend on yearly appropriations.
When was the FOA posted and when did it close?
The FOA was posted on July 17, 2009. The original and current closing date was October 19, 2009. The archive date was November 19, 2009.
Was this FOA the only NIH opportunity supporting the same scientific scope?
No. The FOA ran in parallel with separate NIH opportunities of identical scientific scope that used different mechanisms (R01 and R21), indicating NIH aimed to fund both academic-style research and small-business-driven development in the same technology area.
What kind of proposal characteristics would likely be important given the FOA emphasis?
Based on the FOA framing, reviewers would likely value clear technical milestones, credible development plans, and a realistic path to major cost reductions while maintaining or improving sequencing data quality.
What is the overall intent of this SBIR announcement?
It is a targeted, competitive SBIR opportunity intended to catalyze bold technological advances capable of making $1,000 whole-genome sequencing feasible, primarily by driving down cost while maintaining high quality and scalability.
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