The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is inviting applications for its Small Research Grants for Analyses of Existing Genomics Data (R03), designed to support small-scale research projects addressing human dental, oral, or craniofacial (DOC) biology, diseases, and conditions through the analysis of existing genomic data. Projects must include computational, statistical, or analytical approaches and require experimental or in silico validation of the findings or new analytical methods. Priorities include investigating health disparities in oral health and identifying biological pathways or targets for intervention, particularly focusing on oral health disparities.

Eligible applicants encompass higher education institutions, non-profits, small businesses, government agencies, and foreign entities. Applications must utilize publicly available genomic data (e.g., genomic sequences, transcriptomic data, single-cell expression data) and may integrate complementary data such as proteomics, metabolomics, or environmental exposure data. The NIH strongly encourages public sharing of data used in the projects, either prior to or during the project timeline.

Funding is capped at $200,000 in direct costs over a two-year period, with no more than $100,000 allowed in a single year. Preliminary data is not mandatory, particularly for pilot or feasibility studies. This opportunity excludes clinical trials and focuses on research that can be completed within the specified funding and timeframe constraints.

The application process requires compliance with NIH’s SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, including a detailed Data Management and Sharing Plan. Applicants must register with multiple federal systems, including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, well before the submission deadline. Key deadlines follow NIH’s standard due dates for R03 applications, with initial submissions starting in May 2023.

Applications will be evaluated on criteria such as significance, investigator expertise, innovation, methodological rigor, and the adequacy of the research environment. A critical component of the review process will assess how well the proposed project aligns with DOC research priorities and whether it effectively leverages existing genomic datasets.

The program emphasizes fairness, adherence to civil rights policies, and compliance with NIH’s data sharing and management regulations. Detailed guidance and resources are provided for applicants, and NIH encourages early inquiries to program officers for support and alignment with program objectives.