NHGRI Investigator-Initiated Research in Computational Genomics and Data Science

NHGRI Computational Genomics R21

Supports exploratory computational genomics studies that test novel data science methods for human biology.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

PAR-25-229 is the National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) R21 funding opportunity for early-stage exploratory research in computational genomics and data science. The R21 mechanism is designed for pilot studies, proof-of-concept projects, and high-risk/high-reward ideas in computational and data science methods applied to genomics — settings where the investigator does not yet have sufficient preliminary data to support a full R01 application. NHGRI issued this FOA alongside the companion R01 (PAR-25-228) to create a two-tier pathway supporting computational genomics researchers at different stages of hypothesis development.

PAR-25-229 accepts applications on February 16 and June 16 each year and expires on September 8, 2027. The R21 mechanism is limited to two years of project support, with direct costs typically capped at $275,000 total across both years — a constraint that limits scope to genuine exploratory or feasibility work. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies, all domestic; the principal investigator must hold an independent research position. There is no restriction on career stage beyond independence, and early-career investigators are well positioned given the mechanism's exploratory intent.

Applications under PAR-25-229 follow standard NIH peer review and are considered by the NHGRI Advisory Council before funding decisions. All FOA materials are available on Grants.gov, which has replaced the NIH Guide as NIH's official funding opportunity source beginning FY2026. NHGRI program staff consultations before submission are strongly recommended to confirm mission alignment and identify whether the proposed work is better suited to the R21 or the companion R01 track. Strong applications articulate a clear and specific computational or statistical question, propose a focused experimental design, and explain why the exploratory R21 format is appropriate rather than a more developed R01 scope.