Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 445
The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomics Small Research Grant Program (R03) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PA 17-445) that supports focused research on the ethical, legal, and social questions raised by human genome research. It is designed for small, self-contained projects that can be completed with a limited budget and scope, and it often fits studies led by a single investigator or a small team. The program is meant to help scholars and researchers take on targeted ELSI problems that are timely, emerging, or in need of careful analysis, especially as genomics continues to expand into healthcare, research, public health, and consumer-facing settings.
A major emphasis of this R03 announcement is on projects that are normative or conceptual in nature. In practice, that means proposals can center on careful reasoning and analysis rather than large-scale data collection. The FOA explicitly highlights work such as focused legal analysis (for example, how existing laws apply to new genomic uses, or what regulatory gaps may exist), economic analysis (such as incentives, costs, and market impacts tied to genomic information), philosophical and ethical analysis (including questions about consent, privacy, fairness, responsibility, and obligations), anthropological perspectives (how communities interpret and experience genomics), and historical studies (how past scientific practices and policies inform current genomic debates). The goal is to generate clear insights that can guide policy, practice, governance, and public understanding as genomic science and technology evolve.
Even though the mechanism is well suited to conceptual work, the FOA also allows R03 projects that collect preliminary data or conduct secondary analyses of existing data. That opens the door to pilot studies that test the feasibility of a research approach, generate early evidence to support a later, larger grant application, or reanalyze datasets that already exist to answer ELSI-focused questions. In other words, the program can fund both thought-driven analytic work and smaller empirical efforts, as long as the project remains tightly scoped and achievable within the R03 framework.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a discretionary grant program run through NIH, with activity areas spanning education, environment, health, income security, and social services. The listed CFDA numbers include 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.399, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.989, reflecting the cross-cutting NIH institutes and program interests that can intersect with ELSI genomics research. The award ceiling shown in the source information is $50,000. The opportunity was created on 2017-08-01, and the original closing date shown is 2020-07-29, which indicates it was open during that period; anyone planning to apply now would need to confirm whether NIH has reissued, extended, or replaced this announcement with a newer FOA.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that may be positioned to study genomics-related ELSI issues in real-world contexts. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as 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, tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations can also be eligible under the announcement’s terms.
Overall, this ELSI Genomics R03 opportunity is intended to fund smaller, tightly defined projects that clarify the ethical, legal, and social stakes of genomics. It is particularly well matched to proposals that deliver rigorous conceptual or normative analysis of emerging issues, as well as pilot or secondary-data projects that can quickly produce insights, frameworks, or evidence to inform policy, practice, and future research directions in the genomics landscape.Apply for PA 17 445
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomics Small Research Grant Program (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.399, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-08-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-29. (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 $50,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the ELSI of Genomics Small Research Grant Program (R03)?
The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomics Small Research Grant Program (R03) is an NIH funding opportunity (PA 17-445) that supports focused research on ethical, legal, and social questions raised by human genome research. It is intended for small, self-contained projects with a limited budget and scope.
What does "ELSI" mean in this context?
ELSI refers to the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics, including how genomic science and technology affect people, communities, institutions, policy, governance, and public understanding as genomics expands into healthcare, research, public health, and consumer-facing settings.
Who is the funder for this opportunity?
The funder is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the FOA number for this announcement?
The funding opportunity announcement is identified as PA 17-445.
What type of projects is this program designed to support?
This program is designed to support small, tightly scoped, self-contained projects that can be completed with limited budget and scope. It often fits studies led by a single investigator or a small team.
What is the major emphasis of this R03 announcement?
A major emphasis is on projects that are normative or conceptual in nature, meaning proposals can focus on careful reasoning and analysis rather than large-scale data collection.
What does "normative or conceptual" research mean for applicants?
In practice, it means a project may center on rigorous analysis and argument (for example, ethical reasoning or legal interpretation) instead of primarily collecting new data. The goal is to produce clear insights that can guide policy, practice, governance, and public understanding.
What kinds of topics or approaches does the FOA explicitly highlight?
The FOA highlights focused work such as legal analysis (including how existing laws apply to new genomic uses and where regulatory gaps may exist), economic analysis (incentives, costs, and market impacts tied to genomic information), philosophical and ethical analysis (consent, privacy, fairness, responsibility, obligations), anthropological perspectives (how communities interpret and experience genomics), and historical studies (how past practices and policies inform current debates).
Does the program allow empirical research, or only conceptual work?
It allows both. While it is well suited to conceptual work, the FOA also allows R03 projects that collect preliminary data or conduct secondary analyses of existing data, as long as the project remains tightly scoped and achievable within the R03 framework.
Can this grant support pilot studies?
Yes. The FOA allows projects that collect preliminary data, which can include pilot studies that test feasibility or generate early evidence to support a later, larger grant application.
Can this grant fund secondary analysis of existing datasets?
Yes. The FOA allows secondary analyses of existing data to answer ELSI-focused questions.
What is the overall goal of the program?
The goal is to generate clear insights about the ethical, legal, and social stakes of genomics that can inform policy, practice, governance, and public understanding as genomic science and technology evolve.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling shown in the provided information is $50,000.
What kind of grant is this (discretionary vs. formula)?
This is described as a discretionary grant program administered through NIH.
What activity areas does this opportunity span?
The activity areas are described as spanning education, environment, health, income security, and social services.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listed CFDA numbers are 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.399, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.989.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2017-08-01.
What is the closing date shown in the provided information?
The original closing date shown is 2020-07-29.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
The provided information indicates it was open during the period ending 2020-07-29. Anyone planning to apply now would need to confirm whether NIH has reissued, extended, or replaced this announcement with a newer FOA.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include many government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, tribal governments and tribal organizations, and additional categories called out in the announcement (including certain minority-serving institutions, faith-based/community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories, and foreign/non-U.S. entities).
Are state and local governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments and local government types such as county, city, township, and special district governments.
Are public and private universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments are also included. The announcement also mentions tribal governments other than federally recognized entities.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)) as specified in the provided information.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA calls out 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly mentioned as eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the additional eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The information states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are eligible, meaning foreign organizations can be eligible under the announcement’s terms.
What kinds of genomics-related settings does the program consider?
The program is framed around genomics expanding into healthcare, research, public health, and consumer-facing settings, and it supports ELSI research relevant to those contexts.
How does this R03 program differ from larger NIH projects (based on the provided description)?
Based on the provided description, this program is meant for small, focused projects with limited scope and budget, including conceptual/normative analysis and smaller empirical efforts like pilots or secondary analyses, rather than large-scale studies.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 17 445) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomics Research Project Grant Program (R01) Apply for PA 17 444 Funding Number: PA 17 444 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomics Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) Apply for PA 17 446 Funding Number: PA 17 446 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research: Dynamic Neuroimmune Interactions in the Transition from Normal CNS Function to Disorders (R01) Apply for RFA AA 18 007 Funding Number: RFA AA 18 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Research on Transgender Health (R01) Apply for PA 17 478 Funding Number: PA 17 478 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Transgender Health (R21) Apply for PA 17 477 Funding Number: PA 17 477 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovative Approaches or Technologies to Investigate Regional, Structural and Functional Heterogeneity of CNS Small Blood and Lymphatic Vessels (R01) Apply for RFA NS 18 003 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Human Studies of Target Identification, Biomarkers and Disease Mechanisms Specific to CNS Small Blood and Lymphatic Vessels (R01) Apply for RFA NS 18 004 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,000 |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 007 Funding Number: PAR 18 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 017 Funding Number: PAR 18 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 206 Funding Number: PAR 18 206 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Research Partnerships (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 208 Funding Number: PAR 18 208 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 488 Funding Number: PA 18 488 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Centers of Excellence (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 657 Funding Number: PAR 18 657 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Research on the Health of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Populations (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 728 Funding Number: PA 18 728 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research on the Health of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 729 Funding Number: PA 18 729 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (R25) Apply for RFA NS 19 007 Funding Number: RFA NS 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00) Apply for RFA NS 19 011 Funding Number: RFA NS 19 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Restoring Research Resources Lost or Damaged Due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA OD 18 102 Funding Number: RFA OD 18 102 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 19 012 Funding Number: RFA OD 19 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PA 19 090 Funding Number: PA 19 090 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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