Genomic Epidemiology

The Genomic Epidemiology Branch in NCI’s Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program supports research on a wide range of areas including:

  • genetic and molecular epidemiology
  • epigenetics
  • immunological and biological pathways
Learn More About

Program Directors

Investigators seeking grant funding for genomic epidemiology projects are encouraged to contact scientific staff in the Genomic Epidemiology Branch with questions.

GEB Program Directors

Featured Funding Opportunities

Notice of Special Interest: Development of Statistical, Population Genetics and Computational Methods Related to Polygenic Prediction of Health and Disease in Diverse Populations
NOT-HG-20-010
Expires October 5, 2023

Ethical, Legal, Social Implications
PA-20-254 (R01), PA-20-255 (R21), and PA-20-257 (R03)
Expires July 20, 2023

Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate the Genetic Architecture of Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes
PAR-20-276 (R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) and PAR-20-277 (R21 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Expires September 8, 2022

Genomic Expert Curation Panels
PAR-20-101 (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Expires May 27, 2022

Notice of Special Interest: Use of Biological Information to Understand How the Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Genes Influences Cancer Risk
NOT-CA-20-002
Expires January 8, 2022

Investigator-Initiated Research on Genetic Counseling Processes and Practices
RFA-HG-20-048 (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)
Expires July 9, 2021

Mechanisms of Disparities in Etiology and Outcomes of Lung Cancer in the U.S.: The Role of Risk and Protective Factors
PAR-19-018 (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) and PAR-19-019 (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Expires March 5, 2021

Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation
RFA-ES-20-018 (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Expires February 2, 2021

View all FOAs related to cancer control research.

Interest Areas

Learn more about GEB’s interests in the following areas, relevant funding opportunity announcements, related EGRP events, and staff contacts.

Gene-Environment Research and Cancer Epidemiology

EGRP supports investigators studying both genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the etiology of cancer and/or impact cancer outcomes.

Global Health and Cancer Epidemiology

EGRP supports NCI’s priorities in global health and collaborates with NCI’s Center for Global Health and NIH partners to support research for cancer control and prevention, globally.

Health Disparities

Staff in EGRP partner with others at NCI and NIH to foster research to better understand the causes of health disparities and develop interventions to reduce differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of cancer and related adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.

Infectious Agents

EGRP partners with others at NCI and NIH to foster investigator-initiated research to better understand the role of infectious agents in cancer.

Metabolomics in Population-Based Research

EGRP staff and others at NCI and NIH are working together to advance the use of metabolomics technologies in epidemiology research.

Featured Resources

Information on Informed Consents and the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy

This EGRP newsletter article outlines what investigators need to know about NIH consent requirements and expectations for sharing both genomic and non-genomic data.

Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Cancer Research (ENRICH) Forum

The Forum presents educational programs and occasional deliberative sessions focused on specific ethical, legal and social issues involving cancer research.

Sequencing Strategies for Population and Cancer Epidemiology Studies (SeqSPACE)

This webinar series provides opportunities for grantees and individuals to share lessons learned and practical information regarding the application of next generation sequencing to cancer epidemiology studies.

Genetic Simulation Resource

The GSR provides a catalogue of existing software packages that simulate genetic data of the human genome. This website is designed to help investigators identify simulators that meet particular research needs.

Next Generation Sequencing and Genotyping Services

Thirteen Institutes at the NIH, including NCI, support a contract with CIDR that offers investigators access to next-generation sequencing, genotyping, and statistical genetics services at a reduced cost. Requests for services are evaluated using a competitive, peer-reviewed application process.

COMETS Analytics

COMETS Analytics is a cloud-based, self-serviced analytic platform developed for consortium-based metabolomics analyses. It is available for anyone to use but requires registration on the site.

External Web Site Policy

Considerations when Developing a Data Sharing Plan

Tips for investigators on preparing data sharing plans that comply with NIH's data sharing policies.

Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR)

This NIH-supported resource aims to advance understanding of the influence of environment on human health over a lifetime. HHEAR provides researchers access to high-quality, exposure-assessment services including, state of the art laboratory analysis of biological and environmental samples, statistical analysis, and expert consultation on exposure analysis, study design, and data analysis and interpretation.

External Web Site Policy

Current Initiatives

Keep up to date about the current Genomic Epidemiology projects and initiatives ongoing at EGRP.

Patient Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing Network

NCI intends to support the Participant Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing (PE-CGS) Network, which will include several research centers and one Coordinating Center. The overall purpose of the PE-CGS Network is to promote and support direct engagement of cancer patients and post-treatment cancer survivors as participants in cancer research and to use such approaches for rigorous cancer genome sequencing programs addressing important knowledge gaps in the genomic characterizations of tumors.

Past Initiatives

Get information and view details about the Genomic Epidemiology projects and initiatives at EGRP that have been completed.

Up For A Challenge (U4C) – Stimulating Innovation in Breast Cancer Genetic Epidemiology

The U4C advanced innovation in the field of genetic epidemiology, increased the amount and diversity of minds tackling a scientific problem, and made breast cancer genetic epidemiologic data more widely available.

Genetic Associations and Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON)

GAME-ON fostered an intra-disciplinary and collaborative approach to the translation of promising research leads derived from the initial wave of cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
Last Updated: 19 Oct, 2020