NHGRI Short Courses for Genomics-Related Research Education (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is offering funding through the NHGRI Short Courses for Genomics-Related Research Education (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) program. The primary aim of this program is to support advanced-level short courses that enhance skills development for researchers involved in genomics. Specifically, these courses are designed to disseminate up-to-date knowledge, approaches, methods, and techniques across scientific, medical, ethical, social, and legal aspects of genomics research. The courses are intended to prepare participants to integrate genomics-related skills into their research, furthering NHGRI’s mission. This funding opportunity encourages the development of in-person courses that can incorporate virtual and remote learning tools, and is particularly suited to novel instructional methods like project-based learning. Applicants should propose courses within one of three topics: Genome Sciences (focusing on bioinformatics, biostatistics, and genomic data science), Genomic Medicine (emphasizing genomics literacy and application in clinical settings), and Genomes and Society (addressing ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics). Course length must be at least 3 days with a minimum of 24 instructional hours, all completed within a 12-week period, and offered annually. These courses should be made widely accessible to participants across the U.S., including graduate students, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows, early-stage investigators, and established researchers who need genomics skills. Funding provides up to $150,000 in direct costs annually, with a maximum project period of 5 years. Personnel costs may not exceed 30% of the direct costs each year, and participant support (e.g., travel, course materials, subsistence) is limited. Allowable expenses include consultant fees, key personnel travel, and specialized equipment, while unallowable expenses include participant stipends, gifts, and foreign travel. Each course must have a plan for recruitment, evaluation, and dissemination, including public availability of materials and a dedicated course website linked to NHGRI's resources. Eligible applicants are higher education institutions, both public and private, as well as nonprofits. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. components of domestic organizations are not eligible. NHGRI encourages applications from institutions committed to diversity, and applicants must include a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. This should outline strategies to recruit a broad range of participants, particularly from underrepresented groups. Additionally, all programs must maintain a safe, respectful learning environment, with strategies for preventing discrimination and harassment detailed in a required Institutional Commitment Letter. The application process mandates adherence to the NIH SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and submission through Grants.gov. Applicants are advised to submit a letter of intent 30 days before the due date to facilitate review planning. Applications are reviewed based on significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and the educational environment. Selection also considers the course’s relevance to NHGRI’s mission and geographic distribution. All submissions must include a detailed plan for instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research and a well-defined evaluation plan to measure course success and impact on participants. The earliest submission date is December 24, 2022, with annual deadlines through January 2025. Each application undergoes NIH peer review, with scoring based on the course’s alignment with NHGRI’s goals and other NIH criteria. Key dates include advisory council review in October and earliest start dates in December each year. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to NHGRI program staff with questions during the application preparation.