OSP FO# 11-039

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

PROGRAM: Genomic Resource Grants for Community Resource Projects (U41)

OBJECTIVES: This program provides support for the development and maintenance of genomic resources that will be available to and valuable for the broad research community. Resources for which applications will be accepted under this FOA include (but are not limited to):

-  Genome informatics resources: A genome informatics resource is considered to be a project that collects, curates, integrates, and distributes information related to genes, sequences, phenotypes, and other genetic and genomic information. Awards may support the development, maintenance, and distribution of genomic informatics resources.

-  Collections of coordinated analysis tools: NHGRI will support the development and implementation of sets of related analysis tools that can be applied to particular types of genomic data, for the purpose of allowing users to work with those data types and integrate them with related data types to provide a deeper understanding of biological phenomena. The coordination of the analysis tools allows users of all experience levels to use many of the tools together efficiently. Awards may support the development and implementation of sets of analysis tools.

-  Community data standards and ontologies: These resources are needed to describe data in standard ways so that they can be compared and integrated across studies. Awards may be made to support groups to work with the community to develop consensus standards and ontologies that will be widely used by researchers.

-  Collections of genomic data: NHGRI will support the comprehensive collection and distribution of information about specific genomic features, such as structural variants. Some existing NHGRI programs, such as ENCODE, the large-scale sequencing program, and 1000 Genomes, coordinate the collection of data about certain types of features; proposals in these areas are not eligible under this FOA and should be directed to those programs. This FOA will support awards for the discovery of comprehensive collections of data about features not currently addressed by existing programs. When possible, these data should be submitted to central databases such as dbSNP.

-  Collections of physical resources: Sets such as samples, cDNA clones, and knockout resources need to be collected or generated, and then maintained and distributed to the research community. Awards may be made for the collection or generation of such sets. When possible, the materials generated should be deposited in a standard repository, such as blood samples in the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. If an appropriate repository is not available, the application should include a plan for continued maintenance and distribution of the resources generated.

Awards for support of resources differ from typical research grants. Many genomic resources, such as databases, fulfill an ongoing community need and support must be provided as long as that need exists and remains a priority to the community. This means that NHGRI is able to support only a limited number of resources, and that the long-term effects of funding a new resource must be carefully considered. For more information, please consult the program announcement below.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2011

FUNDING INFORMATION: This program will use the NIH U01 Cooperative Agreement award mechanism, and “Just-in-Time” information concepts. The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations, and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Application budgets are not limited, but should reflect the needs of the proposed project for a period of up to 5 years.

AGENCY CONTACT:
Dr. Vivien Bonazzi
Program Director, Genome Informatics
Division of Extramural Research
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
5635 Fishers Lane, Suite 4076, MSC 9305
Bethesda, MD 20892-9305 (U.S Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)
Telephone: (301) 496-7531
Email: bonazziv@mail.nih.gov
Web: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-095.html

REMARKS: Complete program guidelines and application material (PAR-11-095 and PHS 398) may be obtained from the web site listed above or from the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Please distribute this notice to any faculty or staff members who might be interested in the information. For more information, please contact the OSP at X3-4365 or ospinfo@bu.edu, or visit the OSP web site at http://www.bu.edu/osp.