Systematic Characterization of Genomic Variation to Assess Effects of Individual Variants on Genome Function and Phenotype (UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
🏛 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, universities, and biomedical research organizations seeking to conduct systematic characterization of genomic variation and assess the functional consequences of individual genetic variants on genome function and phenotype. Eligible applicants typically include NIH-eligible institutions such as domestic public and private organizations, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments, and federally recognized Indian tribal organizations. This is a highly specialized research grant focused on fundamental genomics research. The program supports projects conducted at academic medical centers, research hospitals, and established research institutions with appropriate biosafety and research infrastructure. Geographic scope is nationwide. Clinical trials are not permitted under this mechanism.
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Key dates
- May 12, 2025 Applications open
- Jul 15, 2025 Application deadline
- Apr 1, 2026 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research to characterize genomic variation to assess the impact of individual variants on genome function. This will be accomplished by systematically perturbing variants or elements using one or more high-throughput methods; collecting data on the effects of variants in DNA, RNA, or protein-coding elements on molecular, cellular, or organismal phenotypes; and developing robust, reproducible, and portable data processing pipelines. Centers funded through this initiative will become a part of the Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) Consortium. As consortium members, centers will work together to ensure all consortium resources are accessible to a wide variety of potential users. Centers are also expected to collaborate with other consortium components to coordinate assays, variants, and cell types, and to develop shared analysis strategies to meet consortium goals.
This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.
The NOFO is expected to be published in 2025 with an expected application due date in 2025.
This NOFO will utilize the UM1 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R)
- Project Narrative (Research Plan) with specific aims, background, significance, innovation, and approach sections
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches for key personnel (NIH Format Page)
- Institutional support letters and evidence of institutional resources
- Letters of collaboration or institutional commitment
- Data management and sharing plan
- Timeline and milestone projections
- Relevant preliminary data and publications
Program contact
- 👤 Stephanie A. Morris, Ph.D. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
- 📧 morriss2@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 301-435-5738
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
-
$30,195,606
-
$26,495,937
-
$26,020,371
-
$24,964,130
-
$24,413,854
-
$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
What types of research activities are supported?
This grant supports systematic characterization of genomic variation, functional genomics studies, and research to understand how individual genetic variants affect genome function and phenotype. Clinical trials are not allowed.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, state/local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribal organizations with NIH eligibility. Applicants must have appropriate research infrastructure and institutional support.
What is the typical funding range?
UM1 awards are typically larger, multi-year research cooperative agreements. Exact amounts vary, but UM1 grants generally support substantial research programs. Check the most recent FOA for specific funding estimates.
How competitive is this grant?
NIH research grants are highly competitive. Applications should demonstrate scientific rigor, preliminary data supporting the proposed research, and clear significance to understanding genome function and human health.
What is the application timeline?
Applications are accepted on a rolling or specified deadline basis. Check NIH eRA Commons and the specific FOA for exact submission deadlines. Allow 6-12 months for peer review and funding decisions.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Provide robust preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of your systematic characterization approach and the significance of the specific variants being studied.
- Clearly articulate the functional hypothesis for how individual variants affect genome function and phenotype, with specific experimental designs to test these hypotheses.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment through letters of support and evidence of adequate research infrastructure, including sequencing capabilities and bioinformatics support.
- Emphasize the potential impact on understanding human genetics and health, including relevance to disease mechanisms or population health outcomes.
- Address data management, sharing, and sustainability plans early in your proposal, as NIH increasingly prioritizes open science and data accessibility.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because researchers propose descriptive genomic studies without clear functional hypotheses or experimental validation plans. Another common error is underestimating the complexity of interpreting variant effects and failing to provide adequate sample sizes or statistical power. Additionally, applicants sometimes neglect to address how their work will be integrated with existing genomic resources or fail to demonstrate sufficient institutional capacity for large-scale genomic analysis.
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