Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HG 21 033

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 21 033

The Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity (GREAT) Program is an NIH research education funding opportunity from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) using the R25 mechanism (clinical trials not allowed). Its central purpose is to build a stronger, more diverse genomics pipeline by giving undergraduates, especially students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, structured exposure to genomics research and career paths. The program is designed to motivate and prepare these students to pursue advanced training and long-term careers across the scientific and biomedical sides of genomics, as well as related ethical, social, and legal areas that intersect with genomics.

The funding supports creative, organized educational activities that go beyond typical classroom instruction, with a primary emphasis on hands-on research experiences, skills-development coursework, and strong mentoring. In practice, this means applicants are expected to create programs that help students develop practical research competencies, strengthen their understanding of genomics concepts and methods, and gain professional development support that makes graduate school or other advanced training more attainable. Mentoring is treated as a core feature rather than an add-on, with the goal of helping students build networks, confidence, and sustained engagement in genomics.

A defining feature of the GREAT Program is its focus on collaborative institutional partnerships that run two-year research education programs for undergraduates enrolled at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) or institutions located in IDeA-eligible states (Institutional Development Award eligible). Each partnership must include an MSI or IDeA-eligible institution plus one or more research-intensive institutions or organizations that have the research infrastructure and training environment associated with graduate-level genomics research. This structure is meant to connect students to robust research settings, resources, and role models while maintaining a strong home-institution base that supports recruitment, retention, and ongoing student development.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes many U.S.-based public and private entities that can administer a grant and run an education program. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories. The announcement also explicitly highlights MSIs and related institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with certain community-based or faith-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places firm limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicant institutions. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not permitted. In other words, the program is intended to be fully U.S.-based in terms of applicant eligibility and project components.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-21-033) listed under CFDA 93.172. The original closing date shown is January 12, 2022, and the listed award ceiling is $350,000. Overall, the GREAT Program is aimed at creating durable, mentored, research-centered undergraduate experiences in genomics through partnerships that can offer students both strong institutional support and access to high-quality research environments, with the broader goal of improving diversity and representation across the future genomics workforce.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA HG 21 033

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