NIH Earmarks $1 Million for Research Into Therapies Using Genomic, Proteomic Technologies

NEW YORK, Jan. 17 (GenomeWeb News) - The National Institutes of Health issued last week a request for applications for projects designed to support "the career development of translational researchers in genomics."

According to the NIH, it will award three-, four-, and five-year grants of between $150,000 and $230,000 to "clinicians who propose an integrated clinical research and bench research project that applies genomics and proteomics tools to the study of human patients whose disease has a genetic component." This includes "the application of increasing knowledge of the genome and the proteome to the development and implementation of novel therapeutic strategies as applied to genetic diseases and complex diseases with a genetic component," the NIH said.

According to the NIH, the funding will be awarded under the institute's K23 mechanism, which "requires an integrated clinical-laboratory research project that directly involves patients affected by the disease being studied so that awardees can develop skills in both clinical research and basic science; [and] emphasizes career development and a research program that focuses on developing effective therapeutic interventions." Additionally, this mechanism "requires significant utilization of genomic and proteomic tools and technologies in the research project," the NIH said.

The NIH said it anticipates awarding four to six grants under this RFA.

Letters of intent from applicants are due by May, 16. Applications are due by June 15. Additional details about the RFA can be found here.