Systematic Characterization of Genomic Variation to Assess Effects of Individual Variants on Genome Function and Phenotype (UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting up to five cooperative‑agreement awards (UM1) to establish research centers that will systematically perturb genomic variants using high‑throughput methods, generate multi‑omics data (DNA, RNA, protein), and develop reproducible data‑processing pipelines. Awardees will join the Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) Consortium, sharing resources, coordinating assays, and contributing to shared analysis strategies. The initiative emphasizes collaborative data generation, open‑access resource development, and integration across multiple cell types and phenotypic readouts. Funding is provided as a cooperative agreement (CA) under activity code UM1, with an estimated total funding pool of $15 M and a ceiling of $2 M per award. Applications are due 5 PM local time on December 14, 2026; the earliest start date for funded projects is projected for September 2027 after review cycles. • Goal: Create consortium‑wide, high‑throughput functional genomics platforms to assess individual variant effects. • Scope: Experimental perturbation (CRISPR, base editing, etc.), multi‑omics data collection, pipeline development, data sharing. • Collaboration: Mandatory participation in consortium steering committees, monthly calls, and annual meetings. • Funding Mechanism: UM1 Cooperative Agreement, up to $2 M per award, total estimated $15 M across five centers. • Eligibility: Broad – U.S. and foreign entities (with restrictions on sub‑awards), including universities, research institutes, for‑profit and non‑profit organizations. • Deliverables: Data management & sharing plan, annual RPPRs, adherence to NIH policy, participation in consortium governance.