Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 294

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 294

The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to support early-stage, high-impact studies that examine how human genetics and genomics affect people, communities, institutions, and society. It specifically targets research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic and genomic science, with an emphasis on projects that are exploratory or developmental in nature. The intent is to help investigators generate foundational evidence, frameworks, or pilot data that can shape policy, clinical practice, research governance, and public understanding as genomics continues to evolve.

This program welcomes a wide range of research approaches. Applicants can propose single-method or mixed-methods studies, and the NOFO explicitly recognizes that strong ELSI research may be empirical, conceptual, or a combination of both. On the empirical side, projects may use qualitative methods (such as interviews, focus groups, ethnography, or deliberative engagement) and quantitative methods (such as surveys, experiments, observational studies, or analyses of large datasets). On the conceptual side, projects may involve legal research and analysis, normative bioethics, policy analysis, or development of governance models. A key theme is that the research should be rigorous and well-justified for the question being asked, rather than forcing one particular methodology.

A major priority area is the ELSI impact of new or emerging genomic technologies and novel uses of genomic information. In practical terms, that means NIH is especially interested in studies that keep pace with how genomics is changing, for example the expanding use of genome sequencing, polygenic risk scores, large-scale biobanks, consumer genetic testing, data sharing infrastructures, AI-enabled genomic interpretation, and the integration of genomic data into electronic health records and public health systems. Projects that anticipate downstream consequences and propose concrete ways to address risks, inequities, misunderstandings, or governance gaps fit well within the spirit of this opportunity.

The NOFO also encourages direct involvement of key stakeholders when appropriate. Stakeholders can include patients, research participants, families, clinicians, genetic counselors, laboratory professionals, community leaders, educators, Tribal representatives, policymakers, payers, industry partners, and others who are directly affected by how genomic information is produced and used. Stakeholder engagement can strengthen a project by ensuring the research questions reflect real-world concerns, improving study design and recruitment strategies, and making the outputs more actionable for communities and decision-makers. This is particularly relevant in ELSI work where trust, cultural context, and lived experience can materially affect both findings and impact.

From an administrative standpoint, this is an R21 mechanism, meaning it is intended for exploratory and developmental research rather than large, mature programs of work. Clinical trials are optional, so applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is justified by the research aims, but a trial is not required. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and uses the grant funding instrument. The opportunity number is PAR-23-294, and it is administered by NIH. The posted award ceiling is $275,000, indicating the maximum funding level expected under this announcement (applicants should still align their budgets with the specific needs and scope of the proposed project and with any NIH policy constraints applicable to R21 awards).

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other organizations. It also explicitly includes Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized) and Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. In addition, the NOFO highlights other eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), 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 non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals a strong interest in diverse institutional perspectives and in work that can be grounded in, and accountable to, the communities most affected by genomic research and its applications.

The opportunity’s original closing date is listed as 2026-11-18, giving applicants a defined deadline while also signaling that NIH expects continued interest in ELSI questions over the coming years. The announcement is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.313, 93.399, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.867, 93.989), reflecting the cross-cutting nature of ELSI research across NIH institutes and centers and the wide range of health and research domains where genomics is relevant.

Overall, this grant opportunity supports well-scoped, methodologically sound studies that clarify or address the ethical, legal, and social challenges raised by modern genetics and genomics, especially as new technologies and new data uses expand faster than existing norms, policies, and public understanding. It is a good fit for investigators aiming to test emerging ideas, build evidence for best practices, develop conceptual or legal frameworks, or generate actionable insights through stakeholder-engaged research that can guide responsible and equitable use of genomic information.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.313, 93.399, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.867, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-10-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-18. (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 $275,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 23 294

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