NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – The National Human Genome Research Institute announced that it is seeking grant applications for projects aimed at providing research experiences and skills development in genomics to individuals from underrepresented groups.
The funding opportunity is part of the NHGRI's Diversity Action Program, which aims to support educational activities that enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce in the areas of genome sciences, genomic medicine, and genomics and society.
The agency said it aims to provide funding to support institutions offering undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students access to research experiences and/or courses for skill development in genomics-relevant foundational sciences.
Students participating in funded programs are expected to be exposed to appropriate didactic training in the foundational disciplines in order to develop critical thinking skills as appropriate for their career level and research focus; should receive research experiences that do not focus on any particular disease or groups of diseases but skills and knowledge that are generally applicable to a variety of biomedical research questions; and should be in a research environment where they will have an opportunity to select from a variety of genomic research experiences and mentors.
Students are also expected to be from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, have physical or mental disabilities, or come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The NHGRI said that application budgets are limited to $300,000 per year in direct costs for programs in genome sciences and genomic medicine, and $100,000 per year in direct costs for programs in genomics and society. Fund projects are limited to five years.
Additional information about the funding opportunity can be found here.