RNomics Molecular Standards
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations developing RNA molecular reference standards and related tools for the RNomics program. NIH typically requires 501(c)(3) nonprofits, academic institutions, government agencies, and for-profit entities to be eligible. The grant supports development, testing, and distribution of RNA standards to advance research on RNA molecules in cells and tissues. Work must align with the RNomics initiative's goals of enabling integrated RNA analysis across laboratories and platforms.
Applicants should have expertise in molecular standards development or RNA research. The funding scope is national, supporting research institutions across the United States. Multi-disciplinary teams are encouraged to strengthen applications.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Aug 5, 2026 Applications open
- Feb 15, 2027 Application deadline in 149 days
- Dec 1, 2027 Award announced
- Dec 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The NIH Common Fund, in partnership with other NIH Institutes and Centers, plans to issue Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for the RNomics program, which seeks to develop tools for studying the full set of RNA molecules (the RNome) in cells and tissues. The program will support technologies and resources that enable integrated analysis of RNA sequences, modifications, structures, locations, interactions, and functions to advance understanding of health and disease. RNomics includes four initiatives: technology enhancement centers, transformative technologies, molecular standards, and a coordinating center. Applications are not being solicited at this time. This notice is being provided to give potential applicants time to develop meaningful collaborations and strong projects.
This NOFO will support the molecular standards initiative. Awards will support development, testing, refinement, and distribution of RNA molecular reference standards for use across the RNomics program and the broader research community. The work will include initial and expanded releases of standards for modified nucleosides and modified oligonucleotides, guidance on best practices for selecting and using standards, and planning for long-term availability beyond the funding period. These standards will support benchmarking, reproducibility, and comparison of RNA technologies across laboratories and platforms.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches of Key Personnel
- Letters of Support from Partner Institutions
- Facilities and Resources Description
Program contact
- 👤 Common Fund RNomics Program
- 📧 cfrnomics@od.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$383,462,829
-
$198,364,987
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,737,926
-
$169,422,678
-
$148,383,140
-
$143,679,156
-
$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
-
$90,799,903
Top States by Funding
- NC 4 awards $446.4M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $317.8M
- NY 3 awards $207.3M
- CA 1 awards $198.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who can apply for RNomics Molecular Standards funding?
NIH-eligible organizations including nonprofits, academic institutions, and research centers. For-profit entities may also be eligible. Check the specific NOFO when released for detailed eligibility requirements.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is February 15, 2027. This is a fixed deadline. Applicants should allow time to develop strong collaborations before applying.
What types of activities are funded?
Development, testing, refinement, and distribution of RNA molecular reference standards. Work includes creating standards for modified nucleosides and oligonucleotides plus guidance on best practices.
How competitive are these grants?
NIH cooperative agreements are highly competitive. Strong applications demonstrate scientific rigor, clear resource distribution plans, and strong collaborative partnerships across institutions.
What is the funding range?
The total program pool is $6.5 million, but individual award amounts are not yet specified. Check the released NOFO for details on expected award sizes.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building collaborative partnerships now across institutions with complementary RNA and standards expertise. Strong multi-disciplinary teams are essential for competitiveness.
- Focus on how your standards will improve reproducibility and enable comparison of RNA technologies across laboratories. Demonstrate clear scientific impact.
- Plan for long-term availability and sustainability of standards beyond the funding period. Include detailed distribution and access plans.
- Develop a clear project timeline showing development, testing, refinement, and release phases. NIH reviewers expect well-structured milestones.
- Highlight how your work aligns with the broader RNomics initiative goals of integrated RNA analysis. Show how standards support the entire program ecosystem.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak collaborative planning or unclear roles across partner institutions. Inadequate attention to long-term sustainability and availability of standards beyond the funding period. Vague distribution or access plans that don't demonstrate broad impact to the research community.
Similar grants
- OPEN RNomics Technology Enhancement Centers — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Transformative Technologies for Experimental and Computational RNome Characterization and Functional Analysis — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN RNomics Outreach and Coordination (ROC) Center — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Genomic Community Resources (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health