ancient DNA for Modern Genomics (aDMG) Coordination Center

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), has issued a forecasted opportunity titled "ancient DNA for Modern Genomics (aDMG) Coordination Center." This grant is being offered as a Cooperative Agreement under Assistance Listing 93.172, which relates to Human Genome Research. The funding opportunity number is FOR-HG-26-004. This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a centralized coordinating center that facilitates ethically grounded research into ancient and historical human DNA (aDNA), with the ultimate goal of improving understanding of contemporary human traits and biological processes. The aDMG program seeks to establish a coordinated, ethical, and scientifically rigorous resource of aDNA data. The primary purpose is to identify and curate both new and existing aDNA sources, with robust input from community stakeholders, especially those representing local and indigenous populations. The Coordination Center will support the development and management of the program's scientific activities, including data collection, sharing, and harmonization across multiple components. This will include oversight on sequencing protocols, community engagement, and data integration strategies. Additionally, the program is expected to encourage collaborations that bring together diverse expertise in DNA sequencing technologies, computational genomics, human evolution, ancient population biology, and related disciplines. The anticipated funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement utilizing the U24 activity code. The program is expected to award a total of $1.5 million in funding and anticipates a single award for the entire coordination effort. No cost-sharing or matching is required for applicants. Funding decisions will likely focus on the demonstrated expertise of applicants in the relevant scientific areas and their ability to manage large-scale, interdisciplinary collaborations. Applicants are advised to begin preparing for the opportunity by identifying potential partnerships and collaborative models in advance of the official posting. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes a variety of institutional and organizational types: state and local governments, nonprofits (excluding and including higher education), for-profit organizations both large and small, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal entities (both federally recognized and others), and public or Indian housing authorities. This inclusive approach reflects NIH’s intent to foster widespread scientific participation and community engagement in ancient genomics research. The timeline for this opportunity begins with a forecast announcement dated July 15, 2025. The official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to be posted on December 1, 2025. Applications will be due by March 2, 2026. The estimated award date is October 30, 2026, with project activities also starting on that date. This timeline allows for meaningful preparation by potential applicants. As of now, this opportunity is forecasted, and applications are not yet being accepted. Potential applicants with questions are encouraged to contact Jennifer Troyer at the National Human Genome Research Institute. She can be reached via email at jennifer.troyer@nih.gov or by phone at 301-312-3276. As this is a forecasted notice, no official application questions or forms are currently available. However, investigators with interest in population genomics, ancient DNA sequencing, and related ethical data coordination should prepare for future submission.