Limited Competition: Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional
Can you apply?
This grant is for domestic organizations in the United States and territories that conduct ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) research related to genomics.
Eligible applicants include universities (HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, Alaska Native, AANAPISIs, and tribal colleges), faith-based and community-based organizations, tribal governments, and regional organizations. Organizations must have received less than $30 million per year in total NIH funding for the past three fiscal years.
Applicants must form transdisciplinary teams involving two or more fields of knowledge. Community representatives affected by the research must be actively and meaningfully involved throughout all project phases.
Foreign organizations cannot apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are ineligible, though foreign components within U.S. organizations are permitted.
This grant is for domestic organizations in the United States and territories that conduct ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) research related to genomics.
Eligible applicants include universities (HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, Alaska Native, AANAPISIs, and tribal colleges), faith-based and community-based organizations, tribal governments, and regional organizations. Organizations must have received less than $30 million per year in total NIH funding for the past three fiscal years.
Applicants must form transdisciplinary teams involving two or more fields of knowledge. Community representatives affected by the research must be actively and meaningfully involved throughout all project phases.
Foreign organizations cannot apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are ineligible, though foreign components within U.S. organizations are permitted.
Program description
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) seeks to broaden the types of knowledge, skills, expertise, experience, and perspectives brought to bear in research addressing the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of advances in human genetics or genomics. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits UM1 applications from domestic organizations located in the United States and its territories that received less than $30 million per year in total NIH funding for the past three fiscal years. These organizations are underrepresented among those receiving NHGRI funding for ELSI research.
The Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BPAER) Program will support: 1) transdisciplinary ELSI research addressing timely, complex, and understudied topics, 2) the establishment of research teams that include representatives from relevant communities who are affected by and have an interest in the proposed research, 3) research capacity building to develop, conduct and sustain ELSI research, and 4) workforce development opportunities for early career scholars, research team members, and other research project staff.
Transdisciplinary ELSI research projects require involvement from two or more fields of knowledge and use of multiple research approaches. Relevant communities must be actively and meaningfully involved on ELSI research teams across all phases of proposed research projects. Research capacity building plans must be informed by a needs assessment. Given the complex structure, a strategic management plan, evaluation plan, and sustainability plan are required to ensure successful completion of the program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Faith-based Organization
- HBCU
- HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution)
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- TCU (Tribal Colleges)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for domestic organizations in the United States and territories that conduct ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) research related to genomics.
Eligible applicants include universities (HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, Alaska Native, AANAPISIs, and tribal colleges), faith-based and community-based organizations, tribal governments, and regional organizations. Organizations must have received less than $30 million per year in total NIH funding for the past three fiscal years.
Applicants must form transdisciplinary teams involving two or more fields of knowledge. Community representatives affected by the research must be actively and meaningfully involved throughout all project phases.
Foreign organizations cannot apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are ineligible, though foreign components within U.S. organizations are permitted.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Form
- Project Narrative
- Strategic Management Plan
- Evaluation Plan
- Sustainability Plan
- Needs Assessment (informing capacity building)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (community partners)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
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
-
$36,101,109
-
$34,574,245
-
$32,186,204
-
$30,195,606
-
$26,495,937
-
$26,020,371
-
$24,964,130
-
$24,413,854
-
$22,364,647
-
$22,339,977
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $308.5M
- MA 15 awards $288.7M
- WA 9 awards $133.8M
- NY 5 awards $82.3M
- NC 4 awards $82.3M
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
What types of organizations can apply?
Eligible applicants include universities, faith-based and community-based organizations, tribal colleges, and regional organizations. You must be located in the United States or its territories and have received less than $30 million annually in NIH funding for the past three fiscal years.
What is ELSI research?
ELSI research addresses ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in human genetics and genomics. Your project must be transdisciplinary, involving two or more fields of knowledge and multiple research approaches.
What's the role of community involvement?
Community representatives affected by your research must be active team members throughout all project phases, including planning, conduct, and evaluation. This is a core program requirement.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 2, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What must the application include?
You must submit a strategic management plan, evaluation plan, and sustainability plan. A needs assessment must inform your research capacity building plan.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize transdisciplinary partnerships. Show how two or more distinct fields bring complementary expertise to your ELSI question.
- Center community voice from the start. Describe how affected communities shaped your research question and will guide all phases.
- Demonstrate capacity building outcomes. Link your capacity plan to a clear needs assessment and measurable workforce development goals.
- Plan for sustainability beyond the grant period. Explain how partnerships and infrastructure will endure after funding ends.
- Address underrepresented perspectives. Explain how your team brings expertise and viewpoints typically absent from NHGRI-funded ELSI research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Forming teams of single disciplines or without meaningful community involvement. Underestimating the complexity of management, evaluation, and sustainability planning required for cooperative agreements.
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