Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 370
The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (PAR 25 370) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program intended to support small, focused research projects that examine the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genetics and genomics. The program is geared toward work that can be done on a modest scale, often by a single investigator or a small team, and it is designed to help researchers tackle timely ELSI questions that arise as genetic and genomic science evolves and is used more widely in healthcare, research, public health, and society.
The central aim is to fund studies that improve understanding of how genetics and genomics affect people, communities, institutions, and policy. Projects can use a single method (for example, qualitative interviews, surveys, legal analysis, or ethical argumentation) or mixed methods that combine approaches. NIH also encourages applicants to involve key stakeholders when it makes sense for the research question, such as patients, research participants, clinicians, genetic counselors, community organizations, tribal representatives, policymakers, legal experts, industry partners, or advocates. That emphasis reflects the practical reality that many ELSI issues are shaped by lived experience and real-world constraints, and stakeholder input can make findings more credible, relevant, and implementable.
A notable priority in this NOFO is support for normative or conceptual work, not just empirical research. In practice, that means proposals that develop or evaluate ethical frameworks, clarify concepts, analyze arguments, or interpret how laws and regulations apply to emerging genomic technologies are explicitly welcomed. NIH highlights targeted analyses in disciplines such as law, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and history, especially when they focus on new or rapidly changing issues in genetics and genomics. Examples of the kinds of themes that often fit this emphasis include questions about consent and autonomy in genomic testing, privacy and data sharing, governance of biobanks, equitable access to genomic medicine, implications of polygenic risk scores, return of results, duties to warn relatives, discrimination and stigma, intellectual property and commercialization, and the distribution of benefits and burdens across populations.
This mechanism can also be used in more developmental ways, including collecting preliminary data that positions a research team for a larger future study, or conducting secondary analyses of existing datasets, documents, policies, or previously collected qualitative or quantitative data. Because it is a small grant mechanism, it is generally best suited to projects with well-scoped aims, clear deliverables, and a feasible plan that can be completed without the scale of resources required by larger research awards. The listing also indicates "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that do or do not meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial, depending on the project design and objectives.
In terms of basic funding details provided in the source, the award ceiling is listed as 50,000 (as stated in the opportunity data). The original closing date is 2026-11-16. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.399, 93.855, 93.865, 93.989), reflecting that ELSI research can align with the missions of different NIH institutes and centers.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories, including 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 even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to support ELSI work wherever relevant expertise and community connections exist, including in settings where genetics and genomics may raise distinct legal, cultural, and social questions.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH funding path for concise, high-impact ELSI projects in human genetics and genomics, with room for both empirical and conceptual scholarship, encouragement of stakeholder engagement, and flexibility to support early-stage data collection or rigorous analysis of existing information.Apply for PAR 25 370
- 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) Small Research Grant (R03 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, 93.310, 93.313, 93.399, 93.855, 93.865, 93.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-16. (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 $50,000.00 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.
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