Transformative Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Innovation and Early Development (R43/R44) | RFA HG 21 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 21 008

The Transformative Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Innovation and Early Development (R43/R44) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-21-008) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant initiative led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It is set up as a Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer-style funding pathway under the R43/R44 mechanisms, which are typically used to support early-stage R&D by small businesses with the goal of translating high-impact technical ideas into workable products or platforms. The overall intent is to stimulate new, potentially disruptive sequencing approaches rather than incremental improvements to existing methods, with a strong emphasis on technology innovation and early development.

The central purpose of this RFA is to refocus NHGRI's sequencing technology investments toward novel, transformative concepts. In practical terms, this means applicants are expected to propose genuinely new sequencing technologies, chemistry, instrumentation, workflows, or computational approaches that could materially change what is possible in nucleic acid sequencing, especially at early proof-of-concept and prototype-building stages. The language in the notice signals that NHGRI is prioritizing creative technical leaps and foundational feasibility work, rather than later-stage scale-up alone or routine application of established sequencing platforms. The program framing also implies that proposals should have a clear technological innovation core, not merely a biological research question that happens to use sequencing.

This notice also serves as an advance heads-up to help potential applicants plan partnerships and assemble responsive projects. That is often important for small business awards, since competitive submissions may require bringing together complementary expertise across engineering, chemistry, molecular biology, microfluidics, hardware design, software, and bioinformatics, as well as access to validation samples and benchmarking capabilities. The notice indicates the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) was expected in winter 2021 with an anticipated due date in summer 2021, giving a runway for teams to form collaborations and prepare a solid development plan aligned with NHGRI priorities. The record also lists an original closing date of February 1, 2023, which suggests the opportunity may have had later submission cycles or an extended availability window beyond the initially anticipated due date.

Eligibility is limited primarily to small businesses, reflecting the R43/R44 focus. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are explicitly not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, the notice states that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed, which usually means a U.S.-based applicant organization can potentially include certain foreign collaborations or activities if they are well-justified, clearly add unique value, and comply with NIH policy and approval requirements. Applicants considering any foreign involvement would typically need to describe why that component is necessary and how it will be managed within NIH rules.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, uses the grant instrument type, and falls under the health funding activity category. It is associated with CFDA number 93.172, which aligns with NHGRI programs. The source data does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which means applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget caps, project period limits, and any specific funding levels or set-asides. Overall, the program is best understood as NHGRI inviting small businesses to bring forward high-risk, high-reward sequencing technology innovations at an early stage, with the aim of seeding the next generation of nucleic acid sequencing capabilities.

• 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 (R43/R44)" 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: Small businesses.

Apply for RFA HG 21 008

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