Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Structural Birth Defects: Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01) | PAR 17 063

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 063

The Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Structural Birth Defects: Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-063) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant mechanism designed to accelerate genomic discovery in two major areas of pediatric health: childhood cancers and structural birth defects. The core idea is straightforward: NIH will support researchers who want to generate whole genome sequencing (WGS) data, using a sequencing center that is already supported by the Kids First program, and then make those data broadly useful by incorporating them into the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource for the wider pediatric research community.

The scientific focus is on identifying and clarifying the genetic contributions to serious childhood conditions. Applicants are encouraged to propose WGS for existing pediatric cancer cohorts, with the goal of uncovering inherited and/or tumor-related genomic factors that help explain cancer development, risk, biology, and variation across patients. In parallel, applicants may propose projects that broaden the set of disorders represented in the Kids First Data Resource by adding cohorts related to structural birth defects, aiming to better understand genetic causes and mechanisms behind congenital anomalies. In both cases, the sequencing is intended to produce high-value datasets that can support many downstream studies beyond the original project, since the resulting genomic data become part of a shared national resource.

A defining feature of this opportunity is the emphasis on using Kids First-supported sequencing centers rather than relying on independent sequencing arrangements. That structure is meant to promote consistency in data generation, quality, and processing standards, which helps ensure the resulting datasets can be integrated, compared, and reused by other investigators. The program is positioned as a data-building and discovery-enabling effort: applicants bring compelling cohorts and research aims, NIH provides access to centralized WGS capacity, and the broader community benefits through deposition of the resulting data into the Kids First Data Resource.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is intentionally broad and includes a wide range of public and private organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories. The announcement also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects an intent to draw from diverse research settings and patient populations, which is especially important for pediatric genomics where sample availability and cohort diversity can be limiting.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health area, offered by the National Institutes of Health and associated with CFDA number 93.310. The original closing date listed for the referenced notice was 2017-03-07, and the posting creation date was 2016-12-01. While the summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards, the defining “deliverable” of the program is clear: the generation of whole genome sequencing data for high-value pediatric cohorts and the contribution of those data to the Kids First Data Resource so they can be used by the broader pediatric research community to drive new insights into childhood cancers and structural birth defects.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Structural Birth Defects: Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.310.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-12-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-03-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for PAR 17 063

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