New NHGRI Grant Program to Support Innovative Genomic Scientists

Since its inception, NHGRI has funded and led many large, highly collaborative projects tackling important problems in genomics. Such a 'team science' approach has been critical for the success of efforts such as the Human Genome Project, 1000 Genomes, ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE), and Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network. Embedded within such teams are remarkably talented researchers from many disciplines.

While contributing greatly to the field of genomics, the processes of team science tend to place young investigators in a non-traditional environment while they are building the early phase of their professional careers. For example, young investigators working within large genomics consortia may have fewer opportunities for leading independent research projects or writing first-author publications. Such individuals can then face hurdles when applying for their first NIH grants since their unique contributions and capabilities can be difficult to recognize relative to those of the larger consortium. Despite these hurdles, many genomic investigators start their careers as members of such interdisciplinary teams.

Recognizing the unique population of 'team genomicists' and their value to the genomics enterprise, NHGRI recently launched a new program - the NHGRI Genomic Innovator Award - that aims to assist 'team science' researchers in establishing their independent careers. To be eligible for this award, applicants must be early in their careers (specifically, they must have 'New Investigator' status - i.e., no R01-equivalent awards) and have demonstrated the potential to make important contributions to the field of genomics. Furthermore, they must have a history of being major participants in consortia or other group efforts and must propose work that falls within NHGRI priority areas.

The NHGRI Genomic Innovator Award will take a 'people-based' approach. Historically, most NIH-funded grants, such as the traditional R01, have been 'project-based.' This has led to researchers spending substantial time applying for grants that focus on very specific goals and are limited in duration. In response to feedback from the research community that this limits creativity, NIH has started developing programs that offer more sustained support to highly creative investigators. With this new program, NHGRI joins in the larger NIH experiment to fund 'people rather than projects.' Like the NIH Director's New Innovator Award program, the NHGRI Genomic Innovator Award has a strong emphasis on supporting exceptionally creative scientists early in their careers; however, the NHGRI program has more of an emphasis on facilitating opportunities for career independence and less emphasis on high-risk research. The awardees will have the flexibility to continue their major roles in 'team science' efforts, to develop independent research projects, and to pursue new scientific opportunities as they arise during the award.

The new program aims to support highly creative individuals working in NHGRI priority areas, such as the development of resources, approaches, or technologies that will accelerate research on the structure of genomes, the biology of genomes, or the biology of disease; that will advance the science of genomic medicine; that will incorporate genomics to improve the effectiveness of healthcare; or that will advance genomic technology development, computational genomics, or research on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of genomic and genetic advances.

NHGRI plans to fund Genomic Innovator Awards using the R35 grant mechanism. R35s do not require specific research aims, but do require a well-developed research strategy. Awards will be for up to $300,000 direct costs per year (plus indirect costs) for five years. NHGRI expects to fund two new awards per year. The first (yearly) receipt date is October 30, 2018. Awardees will be eligible to receive additional grants from NHGRI, other NIH Institutes and Centers, and other agencies. The request for applications (RFA) for the Genomic Innovator Award can be found here.

Launched in 2003, the Genetics Home Reference - a National Library of Medicine (NLM) consumer health resource - is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The Genetics Home Reference was created at the end of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in response to a growing public interest in human genetics. By creating an accessible resource of the immense data from the HGP and data from ensuing research in genomics, the Genetics Home Reference aimed to provide consumer-friendly information about the effects of genomic variation on human health. This bastion of materials of diverse types includes more than 2,700 summaries about >1,250 health conditions with a genetic basis, variations in genes and/or chromosomes that underlie these conditions, and background information about genetics and genomics. It contains thousands of links to reputable resources within and beyond NIH. The content of the Genetics Home Reference is created and updated by NLM staff, and then reviewed by >1,000 expert reviewers from around the world. Disease support and advocacy groups provide input as well. Recently, information about Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing has been added. To explore the Genetics Home Reference, visit the homepage.

Most of NHGRI's 500+ staff reside on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. However, NHGRI's entire Extramural Research Program, the Technology Transfer Office, and portions of the Division of Management are housed in a nearby leased facility. In July, that off-campus location changed from 5635 Fishers Lane in Rockville, Maryland to 6700B Rockledge Drive in Bethesda, Maryland. This was a significant move in terms of the number of staff involved, but given the collective efforts of all involved, the move was a success!

Late in June, the finals of the NIH Three-Minute-Talk (TmT) competition took place, involving trainees from NHGRI and four other institutes: the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; the National Eye Institute; and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. NIH trainees at the predoctoral, postdoctoral, and, for the first time, post-baccalaureate levels competed to communicate in three minutes or less the substance and significance of their research in such a way that can be understood by a broad scientific audience. Stacy Desine, a post-baccalaureate trainee in Vence Bonham's research group at NHGRI, spoke about "Investigation of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Sickle Cell Patients with Depression" and took 1st place. Congratulations, Stacy! Videos of all the NHGRI trainee presentations are posted on genome.gov.

Genomics Research

• NIH Researchers Identify Genes Associated with Super-Athletic Sport Hunting Dogs
• NIH Researchers Identify Sequence Leading to Release of Malaria Parasites from Red Blood Cells
• NIH and Prostate Cancer Foundation Launch Large Study on Aggressive Prostate Cancer in African-American Men
• A Bacterium Reaches Out and Grabs Some New DNA
• Fetal DNA Sequencing Potentially Could Reduce Need for Invasive Prenatal Diagnostic Procedures
• The First Detailed Map of Red Foxes' DNA May Reveal Domestication Secrets
• Notable Accomplishments in Genomic Medicine

Videos & Podcasts

• From the Human Genome Project to Precision Medicine: A Journey to Advance Human Health - Eric Green
• 2018 NHGRI Three-Minute Talks
• Illumina Genomics Podcast - Eczema and the Human Skin Microbiome

Funding Opportunities

• Investigator Initiated Research in Computational Genomics and Data Science - R21 and R01
• Novel Approaches for Relating Genetic Variation to Function and Disease - R21 and R01
• Development of Cell and Tissue Platforms to Detect Adverse Biological Consequences of Somatic Cell Genome Editing
• Innovative Technologies to Deliver Genome Editing Machinery to Disease-Relevant Cells and Tissues
• Expanding the Human Genome Editing Repertoire
• Innovative Technologies to Non-Invasively Monitor Genome Edited Cells In Vivo
• Genomic Innovator Award
• Center for ELSI Resources and Analysis

Funding News

• Delayed Enforcement and Short-Term Flexibilities for Some Requirements Affecting Prospective Basic Science Studies Involving Human Participants

Request for Information

• Challenges and Opportunities in Understanding Nuclear Organization in Space and Time (4D Nucleome)

NIH & NHGRI News

• Kids First Ewing Sarcoma Data Available for Access
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to Release Report for Returning Individual Research Results to Participants
• Registration Now Open for NIH Workshop on Single IRB Resource and Infrastructure Development
• NIH Makes STRIDES to Accelerate Discoveries in the Cloud
• Testimony on 21st Century Cures Implementation: Updates from FDA and NIH
• Genome: Unlocking Life's Code July 2018 Newsletter