Funding Opportunities

Genomic Technologies Pilot Grant RFA

The Duke School of Medicine Precision Genomics Collaboratory in collaboration with the Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies is offering pilot grants to investigators to develop and/or apply genomic technologies to significant questions in the study or treatment of human disease.

The Precision Genomics Collaboratory (PGC) has a fundamental mission to coalesce, convene, coordinate, and facilitate communication between Duke genomics scientists, engineers, and clinicians, with the goal of creating a community for collaborative, interdisciplinary science and translation. CAGT aims to identify needs and address gaps associated with developing and applying innovative genomic technologies and the methods needed to interpret the data generated by these approaches. This pilot grant opportunity exists to employ the power of novel genomic technologies, and their associated data and analytical methods, to reach beyond that which is readily measurable or manipulatable by traditional methods for addressing the most pressing challenges in human disease biology. Any technology or method is relevant to this request, provided there strong justification that the approach is new and impactful.

These pilot grants are open to investigators at all stages in their career.

We anticipate awarding 2-3 grants of up to $20,000 each for a duration of one year. Proposals should include details about the technology to be developed or used including the novelty of the proposed application, the human disease relevance or how proposed non-human models relate to human disease, any foundational or supporting studies/data, and a summary of the potential impact including how the pilot grant will support follow-on funding. A brief budget detailing general use of funds should be included. Questions about resources that might be able to assist investigators who are interested in expanding to new areas of genomic technology can be directed to Jennifer Reininga-Craven.

Potential representative topics that align with this RFP include:

  • Genetic screening technologies
  • Integrating chemical screening and drug screening with genomics/epigenomics
  • Functional annotation of the non-coding genome or genes of unknown function
  • Gene delivery, genome editing, or other manipulation of the genome, epigenome, or transcriptome
  • High-throughput cell reprogramming or engineering of cellular or animal models of disease
  • Sequencing and single-cell characterization technologies
  • Computational and bioinformatic approaches to analyzing and visualizing related datasets

We are particularly interested in proposals that build new collaborations and/or new teams that might lead to extended productive and externally funded collaborations.

Application submission deadline is November 30, 2021. Final selection will be made by December 14, 2021, with funding to begin as soon as awards are granted. Applications will be judged on innovation, scientific premise and approach, and potential to lead to future funding. One brief written progress report and participation in CAGT and PGC research forums are expected.

To apply, please submit an application as a single PDF that includes the following information to Erin Rhodes with the subject line “PGC CAGT Pilot Grant Application”:

  1. Applicant name, contact information, department, position, and mentor name (if applicable)
  2. Collaborator names and departments (if any)
  3. Proposal abstract (200 words)
  4. Proposal research plan (2 pgs)
  5. Plan for how pilot data would lead to future studies/grants
  6. Budget