Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA ES 20 018

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 20 018

Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) focused on pushing gene-environment research forward using modern in vitro functional genomics. The central idea is to take recent breakthroughs in lab-based genomic tools and apply them directly to environmental health and toxicology questions, with the explicit aim of improving how researchers discover and validate gene-environment interactions that contribute to complex human diseases. Rather than being purely exploratory, the initiative emphasizes proof-of-principle studies that convincingly demonstrate how these emerging in vitro approaches can be integrated with carefully defined exposure information to reveal mechanisms and interactions that are hard to capture through traditional observational or epidemiologic designs alone.

The scientific purpose is to leverage innovative in vitro systems and functional genomics technologies to better connect environmental exposures to biological responses that depend on genetic background. In practice, this means applicants are expected to combine well-characterized exposures (for example, clearly specified environmental chemicals, toxicants, mixtures, or other relevant exposure paradigms with defined dose and timing) with robust in vitro experimental models and genomic readouts that can identify causality, directionality, and mechanism. The overarching goal is to strengthen understanding of how genetic variation and environmental conditions work together to influence risk, progression, or severity of complex disorders, and to do so using experimentally controlled, scalable lab approaches that can provide more direct evidence than correlation-based studies.

This opportunity is offered as an R01 research project grant, and it is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose clinical trial activities as defined by NIH. The funding opportunity number is RFA-ES-20-018, and it falls under the Environment and Health activity area (CFDA 93.113). The mechanism supports research grants rather than contracts or cooperative agreements, positioning it as investigator-initiated research within the specific priorities described in the announcement. The original closing date listed for the opportunity was 2021-02-01, and the opportunity record shows an award ceiling of $499,999, which signals the maximum amount expected per award under the terms presented in the source data.

Eligibility is broad and designed to encourage participation from a wide range of research performers and community-relevant organizations. Eligible applicants include multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also allows nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, along with other eligible entities. In addition, the notice highlights a number of specific eligible applicant types that reflect NIEHS and NIH priorities around inclusivity and capacity building, including 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), Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth indicates the program is open not only to traditional academic research centers but also to institutions and organizations positioned to contribute unique expertise, populations, exposure contexts, and partnerships.

Overall, the grant is best understood as a targeted push to modernize environmental health science by anchoring gene-environment discovery in experimentally tractable, high-resolution in vitro genomics. Projects responsive to this initiative would be expected to demonstrate credible integration of cutting-edge functional genomics with exposure science in a way that produces interpretable, actionable evidence about G x E mechanisms relevant to complex human disease, without involving clinical trial work.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation (R01 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): 93.113.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-10-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-02-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $499,999.00 in funding.
• 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 ES 20 018

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