Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research Program

The ELSI Research Program fosters basic and applied research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic and genomic research for individuals, families and communities.

Research Funding

ELSI Abstracts and Activities Database

Research Funding

ELSI Publications and Products Database

Research Funding

Sample ELSI Applications and Summary Statements

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Program Staff
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Research Areas

Since its creation in 1990, the ELSI Research Program has supported a large body of research on a wide range of topics. ELSI research addresses the new and sometimes unexpected ways that genomics interacts with many aspects of daily life, from how healthcare is designed and delivered to the ways individuals, families and communities understand such basic concepts as belonging and what it means to be human. Of particular interest are studies that explore these issues with and within communities that have been underrepresented, underserved and/or mistreated in biomedical research and healthcare. To capture this diversity of issues, the ELSI Research Program has identified four broad areas of research:

Genomics and Sociocultural Structures and Values
These projects may explore and elucidate the personal, social and cultural factors that shape the generation, interpretation, understanding and use of genetic and genomic information and associated technologies.
Genomics at the Institutional and System Level
These projects may explore the interplay and influences between genetics and genomics and organizations, institutions, governments, systems or other organized stakeholders.
Genomic Research Design and Implementation
These projects may investigate the ethical, legal, social and policy issues that arise in connection with the design and conduct of genetic and genomic research.
Genomic Healthcare
These projects may examine issues that arise as genetic and genomic research are integrated into clinical medicine and healthcare in a variety of settings.

These four research areas are overlapping, and many research projects will likely address issues that cut across areas. A more detailed discussion of each research area and examples of possible research topics are available at ELSI Research Areas.

Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research

The Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research bring investigators from multiple disciplines together to work in innovative ways to address important new, or particularly persistent, ethical, legal, and social issues related to advances in genetics and genomics.

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ELSI Funding Opportunities

This page lists active Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) that are most often used for research, training and career development, and conferences addressing ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of advances in genetics and genomics.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact an ELSI Program Officer (PO) prior to initiating plans for application submission. POs are available to discuss research ideas via email or a virtual meeting. Please share your specific aims or a brief overview of your project. The earlier you reach out, the more effectively we can assist you in developing a competitive application.

Parent R01 Research Grants

PA-25-301: NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
PA-25-305: NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required)
PA-25-304: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
PA-25-306: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
PA-25-302: NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Due Dates for New R01 Applications:

June 5, 2025; October 5, 2025
February 5, 2026; June 5, 2026; October 5, 2026
February 5, 2027; June 5, 2027; October 5, 2027

Expiration Date: January 8, 2028

Parent R21 and R03 Research Grants

PA-25-304: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
PA-25-306: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
PA-25-302: NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Due Dates for New R01 Applications:

June 16, 2025; October 16, 2025
February 16, 2026; June 16, 2026; October 16, 2026
February 16, 2027; June 16, 2027; October 16, 2027

Expiration Date: January 8, 2028

ELSI Research Supplements

An administrative supplement is an increment in funding to support research that is within the original scope of an active NIH research grant (parent grant).

PA-20-272 Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)
- Expiration Date: September 30, 2025
- For more guidance, please reference NHGRI Guidelines for Grantees Requesting Administrative Supplements.

Due Dates: Administrative supplements may be submitted throughout the fiscal year, but should be requested at least 90 days prior to the anticipated need, and no later than May 15.

ELSI Research Grants (R01, R21, R03)

The below three Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) are the primary mechanisms used by NHGRI and other Institutes and Centers to support investigator-initiated research on the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genomics. Please click here for the informational webinar recording, presentation slides, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

PAR-25-371 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
PAR-25-369 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
PAR-25-370 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

Due Dates for New Applications:

June 17, 2025; October 20, 2025
February 19, 2026; June 18, 2026; October 20, 2026

Expiration Date: November 19, 2026

New Program to Advance ELSI Research (UM1)

The NHGRI ELSI Research Program seeks to broaden the types of knowledge, skills, expertise, experience, and perspectives brought to bear in research addressing the ELSI of advances in human genetics or genomics. The Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance ELSI Research (BBAER) Program will support: 1) transdisciplinary ELSI research addressing timely, complex, and understudied topics associated with advances in human genetics and genomics, 2) the establishment of ELSI research teams that include partnerships with relevant communities affected by and with 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 BBAER project staff.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a limited competition whereby eligible applicants must be 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. More information for potential applicants including a pre-application webinar can be found here.

RFA-HG-24-026 Limited Competition: Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional (see the NOFO diagram)

Due Dates for New Applications (letters of intent requested 60 days prior to due date):

August 1, 2025
July 31, 2026

ELSI Training and Career Development (K99/R00, K01, R25, T32)

NHGRI supports several opportunities for research training and career development. For a full list of all training-related funding opportunities supported by NHGRI, please click here. These opportunities include grants awarded to institutions who provide placements for undergraduates on through postdocs (R25, T32); and grants awarded to individuals through U.S.-based institutions. ELSI research can be proposed across current NOFOs.

In general, when deciding whether to apply to a particular NOFO, potential applicants should be sure to read the entire NOFO. Keep in mind that similar programs may vary in specific requirements across NIH Institutes, Centers, or Offices. Never hesitate to contact the program officer listed in the NOFO about your research ideas and any questions you may have.

The ELSI program participates in a number of training and career development funding opportunities and those are listed below.

Training Opportunities for Individuals (K99/R00, K01)

All of these NOFOs have the same new application due dates and expiration date.
PA-24-193: NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
PA-24-182: NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
PA-24-175: Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)
PA-24-176: Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12
Expiration Date: May 8, 2027

Training Opportunities for Institutions (T32)

PA-23-048: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32)
- Any new or competing application may include a request for (1) pre-doctoral, (2) post-doctoral, or (3) pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training positions, provided that there is appropriate coordination and collaboration amongst the trainee cohorts.
- Due Dates: January 25, May 25, September 25
- Expiration Date: May 8, 2026

ELSI Conferences (R13)

The NHGRI ELSI Program accepts applications to support Conference Grants (R13) that are submitted to the general NIH-wide funding opportunity, PA-24-141. For specific instructions for preparing a conference grant application, see: