Genomic Data Analysis Network: Genomic Data Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 20 053

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 053

The Genomic Data Analysis Network: Genomic Data Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-20-053) is a National Institutes of Health cooperative agreement intended to support a centralized genomic data analysis and management resource for the National Cancer Institute. In practical terms, it aims to fund a Genomic Data Center that can receive, process, analyze, and help interpret large-scale cancer genomics datasets using a standardized characterization and analysis pipeline originally developed for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The emphasis is on building and operating an analytic hub that can reliably turn raw or partially processed genomic inputs into consistent, high-quality outputs that NCI programs can use to answer research questions, compare results across studies, and accelerate discoveries.

A central feature of the opportunity is that the Genomic Data Center is meant to serve multiple NCI Cancer Clinical Genomics (CCG) efforts and cross-division collaborations, rather than focusing on a single disease area or one-off project. The solicitation highlights several priority programs whose data the network is expected to support, including ALCHEMIST (Adjuvant Lung Cancer Enrichment Marker Identification and Sequencing Trials), Exceptional Responders (in collaboration with NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, DCTD), the Clinical Trials Sequencing Program (CTSP, also in collaboration with DCTD), Carcinomas of Unknown Primary (CUPP), and other refractory cancer efforts such as peripheral T-cell lymphomas and recurrent glioblastomas (GBMs). The intent is that the funded center helps make these diverse datasets comparable and analytically tractable, especially when generated across different clinical studies, sequencing runs, and collection sites.

This is structured as a U24 cooperative agreement, which generally means the awardee is expected to work closely with NCI staff and other network participants, with substantial programmatic involvement from the government compared to a typical research project grant. The “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” designation clarifies that the award is not intended to initiate or run clinical trials; instead, it supports infrastructure, workflows, and analytic services that operate on data coming from existing trials and research programs. The activity category is listed under Education and Health, but the described scope is firmly centered on biomedical data operations and cancer genomics analytics: building capacity to understand and interpret the data generated by NCI programs using a mature, standardized pipeline.

The opportunity also stresses broad usability: the resource is described as something that can be utilized by any NCI project that uses the TCGA-derived characterization pipeline, which is now available as a set of contracts. In effect, the Genomic Data Center is positioned as a shared national capability that can be leveraged across NCI initiatives when they adopt that pipeline, improving consistency and reducing duplicated effort. That type of centralization is especially valuable in genomics, where differences in processing steps, variant calling, quality control, and annotation can easily lead to mismatched conclusions if data are not harmonized.

Eligibility is expansive and includes a wide range of organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly notes other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, 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, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth signals that NCI is open to multiple potential operational models, including academic centers, dedicated research institutes, and specialized organizations with strong bioinformatics and data engineering capabilities.

Key administrative details in the source include the original closing date of November 12, 2020, the funding instrument type (cooperative agreement), and an award ceiling listed at $300,000. The CFDA numbers referenced (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396) correspond to NCI-related assistance listings, reflecting the cancer-focused nature of the program. While the excerpt does not provide full technical requirements, the overall intent is clear: support an NCI-connected Genomic Data Center that can operate at scale, apply standardized TCGA-derived characterization methods, and serve as an analytic backbone for multiple NCI clinical genomics efforts by transforming complex cancer genomic datasets into harmonized, interpretable resources for the research community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Genomic Data Analysis Network: Genomic Data Center (U24 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): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-12. (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 $300,000.00 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 CA 20 053

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