Informatics Tools for the Pangenome (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HG 25 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 25 007

The "Informatics Tools for the Pangenome (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" funding opportunity (RFA HG 25 007) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement run through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It sits under NHGRI's renewal of the Human Genome Reference Program (HGRP) and is focused on accelerating real-world adoption of an improved pangenome reference. In practical terms, the program wants to fund teams that will build and deliver informatics tools that make it easier for researchers, clinicians, and other genomics users to work with pangenome-based references, especially as the field shifts from relying on a single linear reference genome toward graph-based or multi-genome representations that better capture human genetic diversity.

The core goal is tool development that supports common, high-impact use cases across major genomics sectors, including clinical genomics, population genomics, and functional genomics. The emphasis is not just on theoretical methods, but on tools that enable uptake and routine use of the pangenome reference by a broad community. The opportunity highlights examples of the kinds of tools NHGRI is interested in: software that can choose an appropriate subset of linear genomes or identify paths through a pangenome graph tailored to a specific sample set; visualization approaches that help users interpret complex variation that does not fit neatly into traditional linear-reference frameworks; and annotation tools that connect variants and regions in the pangenome to regulatory elements, functional effects, and disease associations. Overall, the intent is to lower technical barriers and improve interoperability so that pangenome resources can plug into real pipelines for analysis, interpretation, and downstream decision-making.

This opportunity uses the U01 mechanism, which is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard research grant. That generally means awardees should expect more active NIH involvement than with an R01, such as substantial programmatic coordination, milestone-driven progress, and collaboration expectations across funded projects or broader HGRP activities. The notice explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so proposals should be structured as informatics tool development and validation efforts, not as clinical trials.

In terms of funding details provided in the source, the award ceiling is listed as $400,000, and the NOFO indicates that multiple awards are expected (the exact number is not specified in the provided text). The original closing date is March 3, 2025, and the opportunity was created on December 6, 2024. The activity categories associated with the opportunity include Education and Health, and the CFDA/assistance listing numbers provided include 93.172, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, and 93.866.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply for NIH funding. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility aligns with the program's community-oriented goal: to build tools that serve diverse users and to encourage participation from a broad range of institutions.

Taken together, this NOFO is essentially a targeted push to ensure the pangenome reference becomes usable infrastructure rather than a niche resource. Strong applications will likely focus on clearly defined user needs, practical tool design, compatibility with existing genomics workflows, and deliverables that make pangenome data easier to select, navigate, visualize, and annotate for research and clinical-adjacent interpretation, without crossing into clinical trial activity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Informatics Tools for the Pangenome (U01 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, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-03. (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 $400,000.00 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 25 007

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