Investigator-Initiated Research on Genetic Counseling Processes and Practices (R21, Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HG 20 049

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 20 049

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Investigator-Initiated Research on Genetic Counseling Processes and Practices (R21, Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-20-049; CFDA 93.172) supports early-stage, targeted research projects focused on how genetic counseling is delivered in modern genomic medicine and how it can be improved. The core goal is to generate practical evidence and test workable innovations that make genetic counseling more effective, more efficient, and more scalable, especially at a time when demand for genomic testing and interpretation is growing faster than the available genetic counseling workforce and clinical infrastructure.

This opportunity emphasizes the need to optimize genetic counseling under real-world constraints, including limited personnel and uneven access across healthcare systems in the United States. Projects are expected to address key bottlenecks in the current counseling model, such as shortages of trained genetic counseling professionals, geographic and system-level barriers to in-person counseling, and persistent challenges in clearly communicating complex genomic findings to multiple audiences. Those audiences include clinicians who may not specialize in genetics, patients receiving results that can be complicated or uncertain, and families who may share genetic risks and therefore need understandable, actionable information.

The research scope is oriented around assessing existing counseling processes, innovating new approaches, scaling promising service delivery models, and studying implementation in clinical settings. In practice, that can include evaluating alternative counseling formats (such as tele-genetics, group sessions, hybrid models, or digital decision-support tools), designing and testing streamlined workflows that reduce time burden without sacrificing quality, and studying strategies that improve comprehension and informed decision-making. It also aligns with implementation-focused questions, such as what helps or hinders adoption of new counseling practices in different health systems, and how these practices affect outcomes like access, turnaround time, patient understanding, patient satisfaction, clinician confidence in using results, and equity in service delivery.

The mechanism is an R21 exploratory/developmental grant, which typically fits projects that are focused, hypothesis-generating, or piloting a novel method that could later be expanded through larger awards. The funding listed includes an award ceiling of $200,000. Clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trial elements if appropriate, but they are not required to do so. The opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and the health activity category.

Eligibility is broad and designed to include a wide range of organizations capable of conducting genomic medicine or health services research. Eligible applicants include state, county, 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights 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), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth supports the program’s interest in reaching diverse communities and health systems and in testing solutions that can work across different contexts, including settings that are historically under-resourced or face unique access challenges.

Key administrative details from the source information include an original closing date of 2021-07-08 and a creation date of 2020-07-30. Overall, the opportunity is positioned for investigators who want to develop and evaluate practical, evidence-based improvements to genetic counseling delivery and communication so genomic information can be used more effectively and more equitably in routine healthcare.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investigator-Initiated Research on Genetic Counseling Processes and Practices (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): 93.172.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-07-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-08. (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 $200,000.00 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 RFA HG 20 049

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