ancient DNA for Modern Genomics (aDMG) Data Generation and Resource Center
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and academic organizations seeking to support the development of infrastructure, resources, and capacity for ancient DNA (aDNA) research. Eligible applicants typically include NIH-eligible entities such as universities, research hospitals, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), nonprofit organizations, and state/local government agencies. The program supports the generation of ancient DNA data and the creation of comprehensive genomic resources that can be shared with the broader scientific community. Activities supported include specimen collection and analysis, data generation and quality assurance, creation of reference databases, development of analytical tools and pipelines, and training for researchers in aDNA methodologies. The geographic scope is open to U.S.-based and eligible foreign institutions.
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Key dates
- Jul 15, 2025 Applications open
- Mar 2, 2026 Application deadline
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications to establish an ancient DNA for Modern Genomics (aDMG) program. The goal of aDMG is to establish an ethical resource of ancient and historical human DNA (aDNA) data to advance studies about contemporary human traits and biology. The Data Generation and Resource Center would Produce high-quality, whole-genome sequence data from approved aDNA sources and harmonize with existing data to create a centralized data portal. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of ancient DNA and population genomics are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in DNA sequencing methods and technology, computational genomics and data science, human evolution, and ancient human populations will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) or equivalent application form
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy), typically 12-15 pages
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical sketches for key personnel
- Facilities and Resources description
- Letters of Support/Commitment from collaborating institutions
- Data Management and Sharing Plan (increasingly required by NIH)
- Bibliography and References Cited
- Appendix materials (protocols, preliminary data, resource descriptions, as permitted)
Program contact
- 👤 Jennifer Troyer National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
- 📧 jennifer.troyer@nih.gov
- 📞 301-312-3276
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.172 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$39,531,110
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$34,574,245
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$32,186,204
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$30,195,606
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$26,495,937
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$26,020,371
-
$24,964,130
-
$24,413,854
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$23,757,911
-
$22,977,417
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $317.2M
- MA 16 awards $302.5M
- WA 9 awards $140.1M
- NY 6 awards $93.6M
- NC 5 awards $93.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.172). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $452,727,668 | |
| 2025 | $423,878,429 | |
| 2026 est. | $9,989,158 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
NIH-eligible institutions are primary applicants, including universities, research hospitals, nonprofit research organizations, and federally supported research centers. Some grants allow international collaborations under specific conditions.
What is the typical funding range for this program?
NIH research infrastructure grants typically range from $500K to several million dollars annually, though exact amounts vary by funding opportunity and mechanism.
What types of research activities does this grant support?
The grant supports ancient DNA data generation, development of genomic databases and resources, analytical method development, data standardization and quality assurance, and research infrastructure to serve the broader scientific community.
How competitive is this grant?
NIH grants are highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 10-25% depending on the specific funding mechanism and scientific area.
When are applications typically due?
Application deadlines vary; check the NIH Grants.gov page or agency website for the specific funding opportunity announcement with detailed deadline information.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the broader impact of your aDNA resource on the scientific community; funders prioritize projects that benefit multiple research groups, not just your own work
- Build a strong team with expertise in both molecular/genomic methods and bioinformatics/data science—NIH values interdisciplinary approaches
- Clearly address data management and sharing plans upfront; demonstrate commitment to making your resources FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
- Include realistic timelines and milestones for data generation and resource deployment; show progress indicators and evaluation metrics
- Highlight any institutional or external partnerships that strengthen your capacity to generate, curate, and maintain long-term data resources
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they focus too narrowly on generating aDNA data for a single hypothesis or organism group rather than demonstrating how the resource serves a broad research community. Weak data management and sharing plans are frequent reasons for rejection—NIH expects clear descriptions of data archiving, access policies, and sustainability models. Insufficient attention to quality control, standardization, and validation of aDNA methods can undermine reviewer confidence in the resource's reliability and utility.
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