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

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 123

The Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce opportunity is an NIH Research Education Program (R25) funding announcement (PAR-23-123) designed to strengthen and broaden the entry-level genomics workforce through high-quality, practical training. It sits within NIH's broader goal of supporting educational activities that complement and enhance research training in areas tied to the NIH mission, with a clear emphasis on building a diverse biomedical research workforce, including people from groups that are historically underrepresented in biomedical research as outlined in NIH's diversity guidance (NOT-OD-20-031). This specific R25 is explicitly "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported work should focus on education and training rather than conducting clinical trials.

At its core, the program supports the creation of genomics-focused training modules that can be used to build foundational skills for individuals entering the biomedical research workforce. The funding announcement prioritizes "Courses for Skills Development," which signals a practical, competency-based approach: applicants are expected to develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum modules that teach tangible genomics-related skills, rather than only offering lectures or general exposure activities. A key design feature is the expectation that projects will operate through a lead site partnering with additional sites, such as community colleges, technical colleges, or tribal colleges, which helps ensure the modules are relevant, accessible, and deployable across different educational settings. The program is also meant to support and facilitate opportunities that specifically help diversify the genomics field at the entry level, so strong applications will typically show how recruitment, support structures, and learning design lower barriers and improve participation and success for trainees from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.

A defining requirement of this opportunity is that the training modules created through the award must be made freely available to the broader community at no cost. In practical terms, this pushes applicants to think beyond a single institution and plan for dissemination and reuse, for example by packaging modules so they can be adopted by other programs, instructors, and institutions. The emphasis on evaluation also means applicants should plan to assess whether the modules actually work, such as tracking skill gains, learner outcomes, module usability across sites, and improvements when modules are revised. In other words, the deliverable is not just curriculum content, but curriculum that has been tested, refined, and shared in a way that others can readily use.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of 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 (both 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. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant categories that align with the diversity and access goals of the program, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain tribal governments and organizations. At the same time, it restricts foreign participation in specific ways: non-U.S. (non-domestic) entities and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants, though "foreign components" (as defined by NIH policy) may be allowed, which usually means discrete parts of a project may involve foreign collaboration if properly justified and compliant with NIH rules.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health. It falls under the broad activity category of Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.172, 93.398, and 93.865. The funding announcement was created on 2023-03-15, with an original closing date of 2023-06-01, and it lists an award ceiling of $550,000. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at building a scalable, shareable set of entry-level genomics training modules, tested across partnered educational sites, with an explicit expectation that the work will help expand and diversify the pipeline into genomics and biomedical research careers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce (R25-Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172, 93.398, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-03-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $550,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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