Diversity Centers for Genome Research (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trials Optional)

The Diversity Centers for Genome Research (DCGR) program is seeking applications for a funding opportunity available to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). This initiative is designed to create Genomic Research Centers in MSIs, which are defined as institutions focused on serving historically underrepresented populations in biomedical research, and that award doctoral degrees in health professions or related sciences. These institutions should also have received less than $50 million per year in National Institutes of Health (NIH) support and less than $25 million in NIH’s R01 total support over the past three fiscal years.

The goal is to have these institutions establish UG3/UH3 cooperative agreements to develop plans for creating an interdisciplinary, multi-investigator team. This team would work towards developing three main cores: administrative, genomic workforce development, and community engagement. Additionally, the team should create 2-3 innovative genomic research projects targeting critical genomics-related issues such as genomic technology and methods development, genome structure, genome function, genomics of disease, genomics and health equity, ethical, legal and social implications of genomic research (ELSI), the use and impact of genomic information in clinical care, and genomic data science and computational genomics.

The outcome of these initiatives should result in fully developed plans to execute the activities of a full-scale Diversity Center for Genome Research. Not only is this initiative science-focused, but it also aims to cultivate a broader, more diverse group of genomic scientists, clinician scientists and researchers by providing research activities, experiences and learning opportunities that are directly aligned to the research projects.