4DN Centers for Data Integration, Modeling and Visualization (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA RM 20 004

FAQs: 4DN Centers for Data Integration, Modeling and Visualization (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - RFA-RM-20-004

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the 4DN Centers for Data Integration, Modeling and Visualization funding opportunity (RFA-RM-20-004). It is an NIH cooperative agreement (UM1) that supports large, coordinated research efforts focused on understanding how the cell nucleus is organized across space and time.

Which agency is offering this grant?

The funding opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What does the UM1 cooperative agreement mechanism mean for applicants?

UM1 is a cooperative agreement mechanism typically used for center-like, team-based efforts. It also implies substantial NIH program staff involvement in coordinating or steering the program, including expectations around progress, milestones, and data/resource sharing.

What is the main scientific goal of the program?

The central scientific goal is to produce high-quality reference datasets and build "navigable maps" of nuclear organization by integrating multiple kinds of data, especially genomic and imaging datasets.

What types of research activities are emphasized?

The emphasis is on data integration, modeling, and visualization related to nuclear organization. Projects are expected to combine information about genome structure and function (such as 3D folding and interactions) with microscopy or other imaging-based observations, then translate the combined measurements into models and visualization resources.

What kinds of data are expected to be integrated?

Projects are expected to integrate multiple data modalities, particularly genomic datasets and imaging datasets. The description specifically highlights combining genome structure/function measurements with microscopy or other imaging-based observations.

Is the program focused on generating new raw data, or on tools and resources?

Based on the description, the program is not limited to generating raw data. It strongly emphasizes producing usable tools, analytical frameworks, models, and visualization resources that help the broader community explore, interpret, and use complex multidimensional datasets.

What deliverables are implied by the opportunity description?

The description implies deliverables such as high-quality reference datasets, integrative analysis methods, models of nuclear organization, and visualization platforms or interfaces that make nuclear architecture data accessible, comparable, and interpretable across experiments, labs, and data modalities.

Who is the intended user community for the outputs?

The outputs are intended to be community-facing, meaning other researchers should be able to explore and use the datasets, models, and visualization resources created through the award.

Does this opportunity allow clinical trials?

No. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning funded work must not involve clinical trial activities as defined by NIH.

What general research scope does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" suggest here?

It suggests the work should be basic and/or preclinical research and focused on technology, computation, and resource development rather than testing interventions in humans.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is in the NIH health research portfolio under CFDA 93.310.

Which types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. organization types and governments. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; 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 governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

Are minority-serving and community-based institutions mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and faith-based or community-based organizations.

Are U.S. territories and regional organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions and regional organizations.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicant types.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) entities eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.

What is the application deadline provided in the source information?

The original application closing date listed for this specific announcement was March 17, 2020.

When was this FOA created?

The FOA was created on November 25, 2019.

Is the award ceiling or expected number of awards provided?

No. The supplied source information does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

What kind of project structure does the opportunity suggest?

While specific budget and award counts are not provided, the UM1 cooperative agreement structure suggests multi-year, multi-component, center-like projects with coordinated teamwork and clear expectations around milestones and resource sharing.

Why is data integration central to this opportunity?

The opportunity is designed to help build comprehensive, navigable maps of nuclear organization. That requires combining multiple data types (especially genomic and imaging) into coherent models and visualization resources so results can be compared and understood across experiments, labs, and modalities.

What does the term "navigable maps" imply in this context?

It implies interactive or user-friendly ways to explore nuclear organization data, where integrated datasets and models can be viewed and interpreted through visualization resources rather than existing only as isolated files or single-modality analyses.