Molecular Phenotypes of Null Alleles in Cells (MorPhiC) Phase I: Data Analysis and Validation Centers (U01 Clinical trials not allowed) | RFA HG 21 030

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 21 030

The NIH funding opportunity RFA HG 21 030 supports the creation of Data Analysis and Validation Centers for a new consortium program called Molecular Phenotypes of Null Alleles in Cells (MorPhiC). MorPhiC is built around a long-term, community-facing goal: producing a consistent, gene-by-gene catalog of molecular and cellular phenotypes that result when a human gene is knocked out (a null allele), measured in vitro using multicellular experimental systems. The intent is that this catalog becomes a broadly useful reference for biomedical researchers, enabling systematic comparisons across genes, cell types, and assay modalities, and helping connect gene function to measurable cellular states.

This announcement specifically covers Phase I of the program, which is designed as a practical proving ground before scaling to the entire genome. In Phase I, the consortium will focus on a shared target set of about 1,000 protein-coding genes. The work in this phase is meant to optimize and stress-test the approaches used to generate null alleles and measure downstream phenotypic consequences. Phase I also explicitly emphasizes identifying scale limitations (what breaks when you try to do this at large scale), establishing common data formats so results can be integrated across sites, and developing real-world use cases that demonstrate how the resulting catalog will be used by scientists.

Within that broader structure, the Data Analysis and Validation Centers funded under this FOA are intended to be the computational and analytical backbone that helps ensure the data are interpretable, comparable, and ultimately useful. These centers are expected to develop computational models as well as data analysis, quality assessment, and visualization methods tailored to MorPhiC outputs. In practical terms, that typically means creating pipelines and statistical frameworks to evaluate data quality and reproducibility, detect batch effects and other technical artifacts, quantify phenotypic signals in a consistent way across assays and systems, and provide analytic approaches that translate raw measurements into interpretable phenotypic readouts. Just as importantly, the emphasis on validation implies methods to confirm that observed phenotypes are credible and robust, not just noise or site-specific technical signatures. The visualization component signals an expectation that funded groups will also help design ways to explore and compare phenotypes across genes and experimental contexts, supporting both consortium internal decision-making and eventual public consumption of the data.

This FOA is one of three coordinated announcements that together form the MorPhiC program. Separate companion FOAs cover (1) Data Production Research and Development Centers, which will generate the experimental null alleles and phenotype measurements, and (2) a Data Resource and Administrative Coordination Center, which will receive, annotate, and present consortium data for both consortium members and the broader public, while also serving as the administrative hub for coordination. The Data Analysis and Validation Centers funded here are meant to interact closely with those other components, shaping standards and analyses that make cross-center integration possible and guiding decisions about what constitutes reliable, reusable data.

Mechanistically, this opportunity uses a U01 cooperative agreement, meaning NIH expects substantial programmatic involvement and coordination, rather than a hands-off grant structure. The activity is in the health research category (CFDA 93.172) and explicitly states that clinical trials are not allowed, reinforcing that the work is centered on in vitro systems, data generation/analysis infrastructure, and computational validation rather than human interventional studies. The original closing date listed is November 1, 2021, and the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types such as universities (public and private), nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also highlights expanded categories of eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, tribal governments and organizations (including those other than federally recognized in the specified category), faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Overall, the opportunity is designed to pull in strong computational and data-science teams capable of building rigorous, scalable analysis and validation approaches that will make the MorPhiC null-allele phenotype catalog dependable and broadly usable.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Molecular Phenotypes of Null Alleles in Cells (MorPhiC) Phase I: Data Analysis and Validation Centers (U01 Clinical trials 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 21 030

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