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ELSI Research

The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research Program

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	Overview
	Program Goals
	Reports and Resources
	Funding Opportunities
		New ELSI RFA: Intellectual Property Rights in Genetics and Genomics
	Program Staff

Overview

The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Program was established in 1990 as an integral part of the Human Genome Project (HGP) to foster basic and applied research and support outreach. The ELSI program funds and manages studies related to the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic and genomic research, and supports workshops, research consortia and policy conferences related to these topics. The ELSI program at NHGRI is the largest supporter nationwide of ELSI research.

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Program Goals

• To examine the issues surrounding the completion of the human DNA sequence and the study of human genetic variation.
  
  
• To examine issues raised by the integration of genetic technologies and information into health care and public health activities.
  
  
• To examine issues raised by the integration of knowledge about genomics and gene-environment interactions into non-clinical settings.
  
  
• To explore ways in which new genetic knowledge may interact with a variety of philosophical, theological and ethical perspectives.
  
  
• To explore how socioeconomic factors and concepts of race and ethnicity influence the use and interpretation of genetic information, the utilization of genetic services and the development of policy.
  
  
• To examine issues raised by the integration of knowledge about genomics and gene-environment interactions into clinical and non-clinical settings.
  
  
• For more on the goals that have guided ELSI, see the HGP Five-Year Plan (1998-2003). These goals, and the sample research questions related to them, are described in the document, ELSI Research Goals 1998-2003.

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Reports and Resources

• ELSI Program Reports: Genetic testing, genetic discrimination, program reviews, more.
• A Decade of ELSI Research Conference: January 16-18, 2000
• The Belmont Report [ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov] (1979)
• Online Bioethics Resources

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Funding Opportunities

Program Announcements

PA-04-050 [grants2.nih.gov]: ELSI Regular Research Program (R01)
The R01 announcement should be used for all research applications with direct costs greater than $50,000 a year for up to three years.

PA-04-051 [grants.nih.gov]: ELSI Small Grant Research Program (R03)
The R03 announcement should be used for small research grant applications of $50,000 or less per year for up to two years. This program uses a streamlined application process and is designed to encourage the development of small, focused research projects by legal, historical, ethics and social sciences scholars. It is also designed to support smaller exploratory studies that may provide preliminary findings for larger research proposals.

• Receipt dates for ELSI R01 and R03 applications: February 1, June 1 and October 1.
• Institute and Center Contacts for R01 and R03 Grant Programs.

The NHGRI ELSI Program also accepts Conference Grant (R13) applications. For specific instructions for preparing a conference grant application, see:

• PAR-03-176 [grants.nih.gov]: NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings.
  Receipt dates for Conference Grant applications: April 15, August 15 and December 15, annually.

Research Opportunities

RFA-HG-04-004 [grants1.nih.gov]: Intellectual Property Rights in Genetics and Genomics

Application Receipt Date: November 19, 2004

PA-02-048 [grants.nih.gov]: Dissertation Research Grants for Underrepresented Minorities in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics Research
Applications will be accepted at the standard application deadlines [grants.nih.gov].

PA-02-043 [grants.nih.gov]: Social and Cultural Dimensions of Health
Application Receipt Dates: February 1, June 1 and October 1.

PA-02-103 [grants1.nih.gov]: Research on Ethical Issues in Human Studies
Application Receipt Dates: February 1, June 1 and October 1.

RFA-HG-03-005 [grants1.nih.gov]: Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research Request for Applications (RFA)

• Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research (CEER) FAQ

Training Opportunities

Notice: Human Genome Project Supplement (NOT-HG-02-001 [grants.nih.gov]) Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC U-STAR) Program
Application Receipt Date: February 1, 2002. Thereafter, annual receipt date will be November 1.

MARC U-STAR Program [grants.nih.gov] Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U-STAR) Program
Application Receipt Dates: January 10 and May 10.

PAR-01-144 [grants.nih.gov]: Mentored Scientist Development Award in Research Ethics
Application Receipt Date: March 12.

PAR-01-143 [grants2.nih.gov]: Short-Term Courses in Research Ethics
Application Receipt Date: March 12.

PA-99-122 [grants.nih.gov]: Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships in Genomics and Related ELSI Topics
Application Receipt Dates: April 5, August 5 and December 5.

PAR-99-059 [grants.nih.gov]: Courses in Genomic Analysis and Interpretation and ELSI Related Research
Applications will be accepted at the standard application deadlines [grants.nih.gov].

Notice: NOT99-002 [grants2.nih.gov]: Minority Institution Travel Award (MITAP) in Genomic and ELSI Research

PA-97-039 [grants.nih.gov]: Linking Nursing and Genetic Research - Individual Postdoctoral and Senior Fellowships
Application Receipt Dates: April 5, August 5 and December 5.

Expired Grant Solicitations: Provides background on past ELSI research interests and funding priorities.

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Program Staff

Program Directors

Law, Social Policy and Genetic Variation Research:
Jean McEwen, J.D., Ph.D.
E-mail: jm522n@nih.gov

Complex Traits, Behavioral and Community Research:
Vivian Ota Wang, Ph.D.
E-mail: otawangv@mail.nih.gov

Clinical Genetics and Research Ethics:
Elizabeth Thomson, M.S., R.N.
E-mail: et22s@nih.gov

Program Analyst

Genetics and the Humanities Research:
Joy Boyer
E-mail: jb40m@nih.gov

Address
The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Research Program
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
5635 Fishers Lane
Suite 4076, MSC 9305
Bethesda, MD 20892-9305

Phone: (301) 402-4997
Fax: (301) 402-1950
E-mail: elsi@nhgri.nih.gov

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Last Reviewed: October 2004