Funding for New and Early-Stage Investigators

View on YouTube: Inside the black box of the NIH funding system

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact an NHGRI program director for guidance as the applicants develop their research proposals. Investigators who are considering applying to specific funding announcements should begin by contacting the scientific/research contact listed in section VII of the announcement and below. Those who plan to apply through parent announcements, such as the parent R01 or R21, can identify appropriate program contacts by consulting the NHGRI Extramural Contacts by Research Area webpage or by searching NIH RePORTER using the Matchmaker tool.

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Applying for NIH Grants (but were afraid to ask)

Dr. Lisa Chadwick spoke to early career researchers at the 2024 Mutational Scanning Symposium about applying for grants. This seminar discusses some of the things that a researcher needs to consider as they are putting together a grant application, such as how to find the most appropriate institute for the project and the right notice of funding opportunity to apply to, provides advice for writing a strong grant application, and discusses how a program officer can help you throughout the process.

View the recorded seminar

NIH Grants Process: A Brief Walk-Through for Beginners (Webinar)

The NIH Office of Extramural Research and the Center for Scientific review hosted a webinar that walks through essential aspects of applying for funding. The webinar provides insight into the NIH’s organizational structure and how it funds research, resources to help find the right fit for your research including NIH Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), an overview of the grants process and peer review, NIH and applicant institution roles/responsibilities, and where to access help along the way.

View the archived webinar

Genomic Innovator Seminar Series:

The NHGRI Genomic Innovator Seminar Series highlights specific areas of genomic research by pairing an early-stage investigator that is funded by the Genomic Innovator Award with a senior researcher whose work relates to the research areas.

Upcoming

NOT-HG-25-011: Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Supporting Talented Early Career Researchers in Genomics (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

This notice announces NHGRI’s intention to publish a renewal of RFA-HG-22-001: Supporting Talented Early Career Researchers in Genomics. This upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity is anticipated to have a first application due date of February 28, 2025. The concept to renew this NOFO was presented at NHGRI’s council meeting on May 20, 2024 (view the concept presentation).

Active

PAR-24-075: Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

NHGRI participates in the Katz award program, which is intended for early-stage investigators (ESI) seeking funding for projects in an area that represents a substantial change in research direction for the PI, and for which no preliminary data exist. Preliminary data are not allowed in applications to this FOA. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read the announcement and FAQ carefully and discuss their proposal with program staff prior to submission to ensure that this funding opportunity is appropriate.

• NHGRI Program Contact: Lisa Chadwick

Expired

RFA-HG-22-001: Supporting Talented Early Career Researchers in Genomics (R01, Clinical Trial Optional)

This funding opportunity announcement was open to early-stage investigators (ESI) with a long-term career interest in pursuing innovative research in genomics. This opportunity accepted research in all areas relevant to the mission of NHGRI, including genomic sciences; genomic medicine; genomic data science; and ethical, legal and social implications of genomics.

RFA-HG-18-006: Genomic Innovator Award (R35)

The Genomic Innovator Award supports highly innovative work by early career genomics researchers who have played key roles in research consortia or other team-science efforts. A total of 29 Genomic Innovator grants were awarded between 2019 and 2021.