NHGRI Technology Development Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HG 24 013

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 24 013

The NHGRI Technology Development Coordinating Center (TDCC) funding opportunity (RFA-HG-24-013) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement (U24) intended to renew support for an existing coordinating center that strengthens and accelerates the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Genome Technology Program. The core purpose is to maintain and expand a shared infrastructure that helps multiple technology development efforts move forward more efficiently, connect with one another, and reach the broader biomedical research community. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, so the focus is on coordination, collaboration, technology development support activities, dissemination, and related non-clinical research-enabling functions rather than testing interventions in human participants.

The TDCC is expected to act as a hub for the Genome Technology Program by organizing and enabling collaboration across awardees and other stakeholders. A major emphasis is facilitating new research collaborations that can push genome technology development and dissemination further and faster than individual projects might achieve alone. In practice, this kind of center typically provides structured ways for investigators to find partners, align around shared technical goals, exchange protocols and performance benchmarks, and reduce duplication of effort across the program. Because this is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect substantial programmatic involvement from NIH/NHGRI staff compared with a standard research grant, with NIH actively participating in oversight, coordination priorities, and milestone-driven management.

Another key component is outreach and engagement. The TDCC is expected to develop outreach strategies and resources that connect the Genome Technology Program to the broader biomedical research community, which can include researchers in adjacent fields, tool users, method developers, and others who could benefit from or contribute to emerging genome technologies. This outreach role usually involves maintaining communications channels, sharing updates and resources, convening workshops or meetings, and producing materials that make program outputs easier to discover and adopt. The aim is not only to support the internal network of NHGRI-funded technology developers, but also to improve the visibility, usability, and real-world uptake of tools, methods, and standards that emerge from the program.

The NOFO also includes an Opportunity Funds Program, which is designed to support innovative, small-scale work. These funds generally serve as a flexible mechanism to seed novel ideas, pilot efforts, quick-turnaround experiments, or targeted activities that can fill gaps or capitalize on timely opportunities. In a coordinating center context, this can be used to catalyze cross-group collaborations, test dissemination approaches, develop small shared resources, or address emerging needs that were not fully predictable at the time of application. The overall intent is to keep the program nimble and innovation-friendly without requiring every small exploratory effort to wait for a full funding cycle.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governments. 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO explicitly highlights 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important limits regarding foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may be able to include certain foreign activities or collaborations under NIH rules, even though a foreign organization cannot serve as the applicant institution.

Administratively, this is categorized as discretionary funding and falls under the health activity category, with CFDA number 93.172. The original application closing date listed is April 2, 2024, and the opportunity was created on January 12, 2024. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which usually means applicants must consult the full NOFO text for budget guidance, project period expectations, and any limits or program-specific funding plans.

In plain terms, this renewal opportunity is about running a national-scale coordinating center that helps NHGRI-funded genome technology development efforts work together better, reach the wider scientific community more effectively, and rapidly test and seed promising small initiatives through opportunity funds, all within a cooperative framework where NIH has an active role and where clinical trials are out of scope.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NHGRI Technology Development Coordinating Center (U24 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-02. (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 24 013

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