Goal
The goal of the NHGRI Genome Technology Program Opportunity Fund (OF) program is to promote novel small-scale work that has the potential to enable substantially new or more effective ways of advancing development of innovative genomic technologies.
Proposed scope and objectives:
The OF program is intended to expand the potential impact of the NHGRI Genome Technology Program portfolio by providing support to promising new ideas with strong potential to enhance the approaches and capabilities for studying the structure and function of the genome. Examples of projects considered responsive for OFs include but are not limited to:
- Early-stage technology concepts without preliminary data are appropriate and encouraged, particularly for proof-of-principle studies that could generate preliminary data for larger funding opportunities.
- Activities to advance the dissemination of methods, software, or other tools from the developer’s lab to other investigators. OF proposals in this area should have a clearly defined plan for demonstrating successful application in one or more un-affiliated laboratory AND production of standard protocols, distribution plans, etc. that would support more streamlined adoption by other labs by the end of the funding period.
- Development and validation of standard processes or materials that advance the field by aiding in the objective evaluation of performance of a new technology or application.
Opportunity Fund proposals will be evaluated on scientific merit and their potential to advance genome technologies through innovative genome analysis development, deployment, and/or adoption. Collaborative proposals are encouraged, particularly when they enable new approaches based on complementary expertise.
The proposed scope of work should be distinct from currently funded activities. Proposal of minor refinements to currently funded technology development projects, especially for newly funded projects, will be considered non-responsive. Proposals focused primarily on data acquisition or data mining will be considered non-responsive (i.e., beyond what is needed for development, deployment, and adoption of technology or approach).
Key Dates:
Call for Proposals posted: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Proposals due: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5:00 PM local time
Successful applicants notified to begin subaward process: early January 2026
Earliest project start date: March 2, 2026
Project period: March 2, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Eligibility
As of September 3, 2025, NHGRI Genome Technology Program grantees with awards within one year past the end of their original award period that are actively participating in TDCC activities are eligible to apply. Note: Active participation in TDCC activities includes, for example, participating in SWGs, serving on planning committees, and participation in TDCC-led webinars and workshops.
Each PI may not submit more than one independent OF proposal as the contact PI but may participate in more than one collaborative proposal submission. A proposal may include a collaboration with an “outside” PI (not otherwise OF eligible) if appropriate and necessary for the scope of work that is proposed. The OF-eligible PI must be the contact PI. Collaborations that require unique expertise and/or solicit diverse perspectives are encouraged.
Award Budgets:
The total amount of funds available through the OF program is $750,000. The distribution of OF funds will be based on scientific merit, budget justifications, and availability of funds. The maximum budget shall not exceed $200,000 total costs per award.
Award Period:
Awards will be for no more than one year.
Review Criteria:
The proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Significance: how the proposed project would enhance development of innovative genomic technologies and methods. 2) Approach: technical merit and feasibility; 3) Benefit of joint collaboration (if relevant); 4) Plan for defined milestone(s) and/or deliverables. An overall Impact Score will also be provided.
Review and Award Process:
An external peer review committee will review all proposals. NHGRI Program Staff will make final decisions on proposals to be funded and award budgets based on institute priorities, scores and critiques provided by the review committee, and available funds. OF awards will be made as subawards of the Technology Development Coordinating Center (TDCC) grant via The Jackson Laboratory. Applications considered for funding will be required to submit any additional information (IACUC, IRB and IBC approvals, etc.). In the case of collaborative proposals, separate subawards will be made to each partner.
Reporting Requirement:
OF recipients will be required to provide updates on expenditures to the TDCC and updates on progress to NIH staff and the TDCC for tracking. An interim report will be due eight months after the start date. A virtual presentation during a TDCC Scientific Working Group meeting to summarize results obtained and next steps for the project. A final report will be due 60 days after the funding period ends. The final report should detail the work undertaken, summarize the results obtained, and describe next steps for the project based on what was learned.
All grant and cooperative agreement recipients are required to acknowledge the TDCC and the NHGRI TDCC grant U24HG011735 when describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with OF funds.
This work was supported by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) through an Opportunity Fund subaward from the Technology Development Coordinating Center (TDCC) U24HG011735.
2024 Recipients
Project period: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
2023 Recipients
Project period: March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025
2022 Recipients
Project period: March 1, 2023 – February 28, 2024
2021 Recipients
Project period: March 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023
