Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 20 008
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a limited competition funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition 4DN Data Coordination and Integration Center (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number RFA-RM-20-008. This is a discretionary health-related award made through a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), meaning NIH staff are expected to have substantial programmatic involvement during the project rather than acting only as a passive funder. As the title indicates, clinical trials are not allowed under this award. The opportunity was created on December 20, 2019, with an original closing date of March 17, 2020, and it falls under CFDA 93.310.
The competition is limited because the FOA specifically invites an application only from the currently funded NIH Common Fund-supported Four-Dimensional Nucleome (4DN) Data Coordination and Integration Center (DCIC). The purpose is to support Phase 2 of the broader 4DN program, which focuses on understanding how the genome is organized in three dimensions over time (the "fourth dimension") and how that organization relates to genome function. In practical terms, this FOA is about sustaining and expanding the central infrastructure that makes the program's data usable, comparable, and broadly accessible to the research community.
The DCIC is expected to carry two major categories of responsibility. The first is Data Standards, Storage, Analysis, and Dissemination. Under this area, the DCIC serves as the main hub for collecting, storing, curating, and sharing everything produced by 4DN investigators, including primary and processed data, associated metadata, analysis and visualization tools, computational models, and navigable reference maps. A key part of this role is ensuring that data coming from different labs, methods, and experimental systems can be integrated and compared, which requires rigorous curation practices and consistent data and metadata standards.
The second responsibility area is Consortium Interactions and Outreach. Beyond operating as a repository, the DCIC is expected to function as an active coordinating center for the 4DN consortium, supporting communication, alignment of practices, and shared approaches to data generation and analysis. Outreach is also a core expectation: the DCIC should help drive broader use of 4DN resources by both experts and non-experts. This typically implies documentation, training materials, user support, workshops or webinars, and other activities that lower the barrier to finding, understanding, and reusing 4DN datasets and tools.
The FOA emphasizes the DCIC's leadership role in developing and implementing data and metadata standards and in putting processing pipelines and analysis/visualization tools into practice. In other words, the center is not only expected to store files, but also to help define what "good" standardized 4DN data looks like, provide consistent pipelines that improve reproducibility, and offer tools that make the data easier to explore and interpret. The end result NIH is aiming for is a well-integrated, high-quality, publicly useful ecosystem of datasets and computational resources that can power discovery well beyond the original 4DN consortium.
Eligibility is restricted and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, but the limited competition language makes clear that the intended applicant is the currently funded 4DN DCIC. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which generally means certain aspects of a project may involve foreign work or collaborations when justified and permitted under NIH policy, even though the applicant organization itself must be eligible and domestically based.Apply for RFA RM 20 008
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition 4DN Data Coordination and Integration Center (U01 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): 93.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Limited Competition 4DN Data Coordination and Integration Center (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-RM-20-008.
What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary, health-related award issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) using a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01).
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (U01)?
A cooperative agreement means NIH staff are expected to have substantial programmatic involvement during the project. In practice, NIH is not only providing funds; NIH staff will be actively involved in how the project proceeds at a programmatic level.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. The FOA explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed."
When was this funding opportunity created?
The FOA was created on December 20, 2019.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was March 17, 2020.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity falls under CFDA 93.310.
Why is this a limited competition?
The competition is limited because the FOA specifically invites an application only from the currently funded NIH Common Fund-supported Four-Dimensional Nucleome (4DN) Data Coordination and Integration Center (DCIC).
Who is the intended applicant?
Based on the FOA language, the intended applicant is the currently funded NIH Common Fund-supported 4DN Data Coordination and Integration Center (DCIC).
What program does this FOA support?
This FOA supports Phase 2 of the broader NIH Common Fund Four-Dimensional Nucleome (4DN) program.
What is the scientific focus of the 4DN program (Phase 2)?
Phase 2 focuses on understanding how the genome is organized in three dimensions over time (the "fourth dimension") and how that organization relates to genome function.
What is the overall purpose of funding the 4DN DCIC under this FOA?
The purpose is to sustain and expand the central infrastructure that makes 4DN program data usable, comparable, and broadly accessible to the research community.
What are the two major responsibility areas for the DCIC under this FOA?
The FOA describes two major categories of responsibility: (1) Data Standards, Storage, Analysis, and Dissemination; and (2) Consortium Interactions and Outreach.
What kinds of materials is the DCIC expected to collect and share?
The DCIC is expected to handle everything produced by 4DN investigators, including primary and processed data, associated metadata, analysis and visualization tools, computational models, and navigable reference maps.
What does "Data Standards, Storage, Analysis, and Dissemination" include?
In this responsibility area, the DCIC acts as the main hub for collecting, storing, curating, and sharing 4DN outputs. It also includes ensuring data from different labs, methods, and experimental systems can be integrated and compared, which requires consistent data and metadata standards and rigorous curation practices.
Why are data and metadata standards emphasized in this FOA?
The FOA highlights that integration and comparability across different laboratories and methods depends on rigorous curation and consistent data and metadata standards. The DCIC is expected to lead the development and implementation of those standards.
Is the DCIC expected to do more than store files?
Yes. The FOA makes clear the DCIC is expected not only to store data, but also to help define what standardized 4DN data should look like, implement processing pipelines that support reproducibility, and provide analysis and visualization tools that help users explore and interpret the data.
What does "Consortium Interactions and Outreach" mean in practice?
Beyond serving as a repository, the DCIC is expected to coordinate consortium communication and alignment of practices, and to support shared approaches to data generation and analysis. Outreach is also a core expectation, aimed at increasing broader use of 4DN resources by both experts and non-experts.
What outreach activities are implied by the FOA?
The FOA indicates outreach typically includes documentation, training materials, user support, workshops or webinars, and other activities that make it easier to find, understand, and reuse 4DN datasets and tools.
What is NIH trying to achieve through this DCIC funding?
NIH is aiming for a well-integrated, high-quality, publicly useful ecosystem of datasets and computational resources that can support discoveries beyond the original 4DN consortium.
What institutions are eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, but the limited competition language indicates that the FOA specifically invites only the currently funded 4DN DCIC to apply.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
No. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are foreign components allowed at all under this FOA?
Yes. The FOA states that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This generally means certain parts of a project may involve foreign work or collaborations when justified and permitted under NIH policy, even though the applicant organization itself must be eligible and U.S.-based.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland Grants Program
Previous opportunity: NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research for Years 2020, 2021, and 2022 (NCI Omnibus R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA RM 20 008
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA RM 20 008) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: 4DN Organizational Hub (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 20 007 Funding Number: RFA RM 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Surgical Disparities Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 079 Funding Number: PAR 20 079 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIBIB Trailblazer Award for New and Early Stage Investigators (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 084 Funding Number: PAR 20 084 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 037 Funding Number: PAR 20 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers (P40) (Clinical Trials Not-Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 002 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 038 Funding Number: PAR 20 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| MoTrPAc Phase 2 Animal Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 20 009 Funding Number: RFA RM 20 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Infrastructure for the Expansion of Rhesus macaque Colonies to Support HIV/AIDS-related Research (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 087 Funding Number: PAR 20 087 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Research Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 086 Funding Number: PAR 20 086 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mendelian Genomics Research Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HG 20 007 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Central and Peripheral Control of Balance in Older Adults (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AG 21 011 Funding Number: RFA AG 21 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mendelian Genomics Data Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 20 008 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAMS Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) - Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for PAR 20 090 Funding Number: PAR 20 090 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Development of Research Education Resources for Geriatrics-Related Translational and Clinical Scientists (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 095 Funding Number: PAR 20 095 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Silvio O. Conte Centers for Basic Neuroscience or Translational Mental Health Research (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 093 Funding Number: PAR 20 093 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| NIMH Mentoring Networks for Mental Health Research Education (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 080 Funding Number: PAR 20 080 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIMH Research Education Programs for Psychiatry Residents (R25- Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 094 Funding Number: PAR 20 094 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Accelerating Medicine Partnership in Parkinsons disease (AMP PD) data use and analysis (U01 Clinical trials not allowed) Apply for RFA NS 20 027 Funding Number: RFA NS 20 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NIMH Short Courses for Mental Health Related Research (R25 -Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 096 Funding Number: PAR 20 096 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Genomic Community Resources (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 100 Funding Number: PAR 20 100 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA RM 20 008", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.