An official website of the United States government
On this page...
Need Help?
Have questions about this topic or need additional assistance?
Leah Mechanic, PhD, MPH
Program Director, Genomic Epidemiology Branch
mechanil@mail.nih.gov
Stefanie A. Nelson, PhD
Program Director, Genomic Epidemiology Branch
nelsons@mail.nih.gov
Overview and Statement of Interest
Image courtesy of the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Risk of most cancer types are determined by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies provide theoretical and empirical evidence that additional genetic and environmental factors can be identified in studies that examine gene-environment (GxE) interactions. More importantly, GxE interaction research has the potential to facilitate insights into biological mechanisms and strategies for cancer prevention and control. Despite progress, several challenges remain for performing these studies. These challenges stem, in part, from the complex, evolving, and expanding nature of the genetic and environmental data collected.
The Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP), at the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), supports extramural research that investigates both genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the etiology of cancer and/or impact cancer outcomes.
Funding Opportunities
NCI-sponsored notices of funding opportunities related to gene – environment interactions include:
- Investigator-Initiated Research in Genomics and Health Equity - expires July 9, 2025
- RFA-HG-23-017 (R01, Clinical Trial Optional)
- Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes - expires September 8, 2026
- PAR-23-254 (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- PAR-23-255 (R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Developing Novel Theory and Methods for Understanding the Genetic Architecture of Complex Human Traits - expires January 8, 2027
- PAR-23-301 (R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- PAR-23-302 (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
EGRP also encourages investigator-initiated grant applications on this topic.
EGRP joins with other NCI Divisions, Offices, and Centers and other Institutes and Centers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund grant applications submitted in response to notices of funding opportunities.
View the full list of epidemiology and genomics research funding opportunities .
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) also sponsor funding opportunities related to gene-environment research.
Workshops
The Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program is dedicated to full accessibility and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. We continuously strive to improve our recorded webinars' accessibility, recognizing that some may be more accessible than others. If you encounter any recorded webinar that does not meet your accessibility needs, please feel free to reach out to NCIDCCPSEGRPComms@mail.nih.gov.
EGRP co-sponsors workshops and meetings to convene experts in the fields of cancer epidemiology and environmental research to review the state-of-the-science, identify research gaps, and establish scientific agendas/priorities for the future, such as: