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health · HHS-NIH11

Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Congenital Anomalies: Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of Health · PAR-27-071

138 days left

Deadline

January 11, 2027

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NIH is funding research to discover the genetic basis of childhood cancers and congenital anomalies — using advanced genomic technologies to identify causative genes and mechanisms. This is basic/translational genetics research focused on pediatric cancers and birth defects. No fixed award amounts; rolling deadline through January 2027.

Who Should Apply

Genetics/genomics researchers at academic medical centers studying childhood cancers or congenital anomalies. Must have access to patient cohorts and advanced sequencing/functional genomics capabilities.

Who Should NOT Apply

Clinical oncologists without genetics focus, adult cancer researchers, epidemiologists without molecular genetics expertise, or institutions without pediatric patient access.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

  • Must study genetic basis of childhood cancers OR congenital anomalies
  • Must use advanced genomic technologies
  • No fixed award amount or number
  • Must contribute to understanding genetic causation
  • Rolling deadline through January 2027
  • No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

This is hypothesis-driven genetics research — you need access to well-characterized pediatric patient cohorts (either your own or through consortia). The strongest applications combine whole-genome sequencing with functional validation (showing the variants you find actually cause disease). If you have a cohort of undiagnosed childhood cancer or birth defect patients with banked DNA, this is your opportunity to fund the genomics work.

Competitiveness: Moderate — rolling with no fixed awards. Quality of science and patient cohort access determine success.

What This Grant Funds

As part of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First Program), the NIH invites applications to submit samples from pediatric cohorts for whole genome sequencing at a Kids First Program supported genomic data generating centers. Applicants are encouraged to propose sequencing of existing pediatric cancer or congenital anomaly cohorts to elucidate the genetic contribution (somatic and/or germline) to childhood cancers, to investigate the genetic etiology of congenital anomalies, to study the molecular basis of the associations between congenital anomalies and increased cancer risk, or to expand the range of pediatric disorders included within the Kids First Data Resource. The program will accept applications that propose whole genome, exome, and transcriptome sequencing, as well as clinical-grade sequencing, long-read sequencing, proteomics, and epigenomic assays of tumor or affected tissue, when justified. Applicants are encouraged to propose cohorts to increase representation of existing Kids First Program projects. These data, and associated clinical and phenotypic data, will become part of the Kids First Data Resource Center for sharing with the research community.

Attachments

Who Can Apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Eligible Applicant Types

County Governments501(c)(3) NonprofitsNonprofits without 501(c)(3)Special District GovernmentsOther (see NOFO for details)Other Tribal OrganizationsSmall BusinessesPublic And Indian Housing AuthoritiesFederally Recognized Tribal GovernmentsPublic Colleges & UniversitiesState GovernmentsFor-Profit OrganizationsCity/Township GovernmentsIndependent School DistrictsPrivate Colleges & Universities

Funding Details

Cost Sharing Required?
No
Funding Instrument
other

Key Dates

Posted: June 18, 2026
Application Deadline: January 11, 2027 (138 days remaining)

Agency Contact

Gabriella Miller Kids First Program kidsfirst@od.nih.gov

kidsfirst@od.nih.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov