Transformative Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Innovation and Early Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HG 21 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 21 007

Transformative Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Innovation and Early Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH funding opportunity from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) that supports early, high-risk technology concepts intended to substantially change what is possible in nucleic acid sequencing. The program uses the R21 mechanism, which is designed for exploratory and developmental work, meaning applicants are expected to propose bold ideas and credible early validation plans rather than fully matured platforms. A key boundary is stated up front: clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA, so the emphasis is on technology innovation and foundational development rather than testing interventions or clinical outcomes in human participants.

The central scientific aim is to spark novel sequencing technologies capable of more than a tenfold (greater than one order of magnitude) improvement in two areas. First, the FOA seeks dramatic advances in DNA sequencing, which could involve step-changes in throughput, accuracy, read length, assembly quality, or cost effectiveness, as long as the improvement is truly transformative rather than incremental. Second, it targets methods for direct sequencing of the diversity of entire RNA molecules, pointing to a need for approaches that can read full-length RNAs and capture transcript diversity more faithfully than indirect or fragmented strategies. The wording highlights the importance of directly sequencing RNA as complete molecules, which is closely tied to accurately measuring isoforms, RNA modifications, and complex transcript structures that can be lost with traditional workflows.

NHGRI frames the motivation in terms of how genomics has historically advanced: repeated cycles of technology disruption have driven major gains in sequencing throughput and assembly quality while costs have dropped and data quality has improved. This FOA is essentially a call to create the next disruptive jump, with the expectation that successful exploratory innovations will benefit not just a single application area but the broader genomics ecosystem. NHGRI also notes that progress here would contribute to its wider set of technology development goals, so proposals that open doors for downstream genomic, biomedical, and systems biology research are aligned with the spirit of the announcement.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health category (CFDA 93.172) offered by the National Institutes of Health. The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HG-21-007, and the opportunity was created on March 30, 2021, with an original closing date of February 1, 2023. While the excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the R21 format generally signals limited-duration, proof-of-concept style projects aimed at establishing feasibility and de-risking novel technical directions.

Eligibility is broad and spans much of the typical NIH applicant landscape. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and a wide range of academic institutions (public and state-controlled universities, private institutions of higher education). The FOA also allows nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. In addition, it explicitly highlights other eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, tribal governments (including those other than federally recognized), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to attract unconventional teams and perspectives, which fits the program’s emphasis on transformative innovation.

In practical terms, a strong application under this FOA would present a clearly articulated technology concept that, if successful, plausibly delivers a greater-than-tenfold leap in DNA sequencing and/or direct full-length RNA sequencing capability at reasonable cost. It would also lay out early-stage development milestones that are appropriate for an R21, such as prototype construction, feasibility experiments, core performance metrics, and key technical risks with mitigation strategies. The overall message is that NHGRI is looking for disruptive sequencing ideas at the innovation-and-early-development stage, before they are ready for clinical validation, with the potential to reshape genomic measurement in a way that materially accelerates biomedical research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Transformative Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Innovation and Early Development (R21 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 2021-03-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-01. (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 21 007

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