Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce (R25-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 23 123

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce opportunity?

It is an NIH Research Education Program (R25) funding opportunity (PAR-23-123) focused on strengthening and broadening the entry-level genomics workforce by supporting the development of high-quality, practical genomics training modules.

What is the main goal of this R25 program?

The main goal is to create genomics-focused training modules that build foundational, entry-level skills for people entering the biomedical research workforce, in alignment with NIH's mission and broader workforce development goals.

Is this opportunity focused on research or education/training?

This opportunity is focused on education and training. It supports educational activities that complement and enhance research training rather than funding standard research projects.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding announcement?

No. The opportunity is explicitly designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported work should center on training and education activities rather than conducting clinical trials.

What type of educational activities does the program prioritize?

The announcement prioritizes "Courses for Skills Development," indicating an emphasis on practical, competency-based curriculum modules that teach tangible genomics-related skills, not just lectures or general exposure.

What kinds of deliverables are expected from an award?

The deliverable is not only curriculum content, but training modules that are developed, implemented, and evaluated, then refined based on results, and packaged in a way that supports dissemination and reuse by other institutions and instructors.

Do the training modules have to be shared publicly?

Yes. A defining requirement is that modules created through the award must be made freely available to the broader community at no cost, which requires planning for dissemination and adoption beyond the applicant institution.

What does "freely available at no cost" mean in practice?

Based on the announcement description, it means the training modules should be shared so the broader community can access and use them without paying fees, and they should be prepared in a reusable format that other programs and institutions can adopt.

Is evaluation required, and what should be evaluated?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes evaluation to assess whether modules work as intended. Examples mentioned include measuring skill gains, learner outcomes, module usability across sites, and improvements after revising modules.

Does the program require partnerships with other educational sites?

Yes. A key design feature is operating through a lead site that partners with additional sites (for example, community colleges, technical colleges, or tribal colleges) to help ensure modules are relevant, accessible, and deployable across multiple settings.

Why does the program emphasize a lead site and additional partner sites?

The structure is intended to support module relevance and real-world usability across different educational environments, and to enable broader deployment and reuse rather than limiting impact to a single institution.

How does this opportunity address workforce diversity in genomics?

It places a clear emphasis on building a diverse biomedical research workforce, including individuals from groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research, consistent with NIH diversity guidance (NOT-OD-20-031).

What elements might a strong application include related to diversity and access?

Based on the description, strong applications typically explain how recruitment approaches, support structures, and learning design reduce barriers and improve participation and success for trainees from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, state/local/tribal governments, special district governments, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, among others.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity highlights categories aligned with its diversity and access goals, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and AANAPISIs.

Are faith-based and community-based organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among the highlighted eligible applicant categories.

Are organizations in U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among the highlighted eligible applicant categories.

Can non-U.S. organizations apply as the applicant?

No. Non-U.S. (non-domestic) entities are not eligible to apply as applicants, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicants.

Are any foreign collaborations allowed?

Potentially. The description notes that "foreign components" (as defined by NIH policy) may be allowed, which generally means discrete parts of a project could involve foreign collaboration if properly justified and compliant with NIH rules.

Which agency is offering this grant?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the program mechanism or activity type?

It is an NIH Research Education Program using the R25 mechanism.

What broad activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It is listed under Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.172, 93.398, and 93.865.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $550,000.

When was the funding announcement created?

The funding announcement was created on 2023-03-15.

What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is 2023-06-01.

What is the core focus area of the training content?

The core focus is genomics, with an emphasis on foundational, entry-level skills development for people entering the biomedical research workforce.

What makes this program different from a single-site curriculum project?

The description emphasizes a scalable approach: modules are expected to be developed at a lead site with partner sites, evaluated in real educational settings, improved through iteration, and released for free reuse by the broader community.