Background
Accessible, well-maintained, and efficiently operated data repositories and knowledgebases (henceforth referred to as data resources) are critical enablers of modern biomedical research. Data resources, through good data management practices, are key to data and knowledge discovery, integration, and data reuse, as outlined by the FAIR Data Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable digital objects). A healthy and productive data resource ecosystem requires that each resource be scientifically impactful, be well-managed, actively engage the scientific community, and employ sustainable and trustworthy practices.
In order to better support such a modern data resource ecosystem, NIH makes a distinction between data repositories and knowledgebases. While each activity is important for advancing biomedical research, data repositories and knowledgebases can have unique functions, and metrics for success.
The funding opportunity announcements (PAR-20-089 and PAR-20-097) were first launched in 2019 to realize NIH’s vision for a modernized biomedical data ecosystem as outlined in the NIH’s Strategic Plan for Data Science. These funding opportunities were reissued in 2023 (PAR-23-078 and PAR-23-079) to align with the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. To appropriately support data resources at different stages of the development lifecycle, NIH makes a distinction between early-stage data resources and established data resources. While each activity is important for advancing biomedical research, early and established data resources can have unique functions, metrics for success, and maintenance needs. In recognition of this, the NIH is issuing two related companion funding opportunities that are modifications of PAR-23-078 and PAR-23-079 to better support the unique activities required for the establishment and maintenance of data resources, tailored to early-stage and established stages of the development lifecycle:
- PAR-23-236: (this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), R24, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) supports the initial development of a data resource or significant modification of an existing resource
- PAR-23-237: (U24, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) supports the enhancement and maintenance of established, widely used data resources.
For this NOFO (PAR-23-236) and the companion NOFO (PAR-23-237) the following definitions apply:
- Data repositories are defined as data resources that accept submission of relevant data from the community, and that validate, store, archive/preserve and distribute the data in compliance with the FAIR data principles.
- Knowledgebases are defined as data resources that collate, extract, organize, annotate, and link the growing body of information related to and relying on core datasets from one or more repositories. Knowledgebases may also curate literature and generate other forms of knowledge and distribute them in compliance with FAIR data principles. Note that knowledgebases include the standalone development of data standards and ontologies.
- Early-stage repositories and knowledgebases are defined as initial development of a data resource with potential for a large increase in usage and adoption by the community. They also encompass transitioning resources that are currently supported as investigator-initiated research efforts into quality controlled, standards-based resources that address governance and efficiency of operations. Also, early-stage can include proposals that are piloting consolidation of two or more existing repositories or knowledgebases.
- Established repositories and knowledgebases are defined as high-value data resources that are near or at optimal research community adoption and provide a critical research resource as demonstrated by their usage, utility, and impact.
Research Resource Objectives
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports the development of early-stage or new data repositories or knowledgebases that could be valuable for the biomedical research community. The overall goal is to support pilot activities that demonstrate the need and potential impact of the data resource. The NOFO will also support transitioning resources that are currently supported as investigator-initiated research efforts into quality controlled, standards-based resources that address governance, and efficiency of operations. Efforts to consolidate existing data repositories or independent knowledgebases are also in scope for this NOFO.
Each resource must: (a) deliver scientific impact to the communities served; (b) employ and promote good data management practices (as outlined by the FAIR Data Principles including adherence to the NIH desirable characteristics of repositories) and efficient operations for quality and services; (c) engage with the user community and continuously address their needs; and (d) support a process for data life-cycle analysis, long-term preservation, and trustworthy governance.
The evaluation of the Data Repository will be based on the primary function to ingest, archive, preserve, manage, distribute, and make accessible the biomedical data related to a particular system or systems.
The evaluation of The Biomedical Knowledgebase will be based on the function to extract, accumulate, organize, annotate, and link growing bodies of information related to core datasets.
Both the data repository and the knowledgebase should provide publicly available documentation on the services offered; be responsible for providing quality services; demonstrate the utility of the data and offered services; demonstrate usage and utility; must commit to community engagement and needs, trustworthiness of stewardship, and governance.
Scope:
Initiatives supporting data resources differ from typical hypothesis-driven research (e.g., U01 or R01) grants. Data resources funded under this NOFO can support 1) creation of a new data resource or 2) propose activities required to combine/transition existing data resources. Projects have the potential to mature into an established data resource eligible for support via the established resources NOFO (PAR-23-237).
Applications appropriate for this NOFO can support data resources for biomedical research, spanning biological scales including molecular, cellular, tissue, organism, and/or population data, as well as social and behavioral data. Support for software and tool development must be limited to that which provides essential functions or significantly increases the efficiency of resource operations. An application should distinctly support either a data repository or a knowledgebase. Resources that desire to support both should submit separate applications to ensure their proper review per the distinct review criteria.
NIH ICs participating in this NOFO are interested in resources that apply to biomedical questions and diseases relevant to their own Institutes and Centers as outlined at https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request consultation with ODSS and staff at the appropriate participating Institute/Centers when planning an application through submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). Early contact provides an opportunity for NIH scientific/research staff to determine relevance and priorities of the ICs, provide guidance on program scope and appropriateness of the proposed resource, and for suitability to this NOFO. Applicants that do not consult with NIH prior to submission may be less likely to receive funding, as such applications may not align with the IC program priorities.
Non-Responsive Applications
Applications primarily addressing the following topics will be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed:
- Duplicative data resources.
- Applications that combine data repository and knowledgebase functions.
- Experimental data production activities.
- Collections of samples or other biological materials.
- Collections or significant development of analysis tools or software platforms.
- Organization of challenges, competitions, or scientific conferences.
- Applications supporting hypothesis-driven research.
- Applications not aligned to any participating NIH Institute/Center/Office mission.
