Human Phenotype Project, Expanded Access Awards
Research Grants
Up to $100,000 research funding plus 2-year access to HPP data
Scientific Areas
The Human Phenotype Project is a large-scale (>13,000 participants) deep-phenotype prospective longitudinal cohort established at the Weizmann Institute and with additional branches launching internationally, to identify novel molecular markers with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value, and to develop prediction models for disease onset and progression. The cohort includes both healthy participants as well as those with approximately 40 distinct diseases, including metabolic disease, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancer malignancies; with many participants having multiple comorbidities. For each participant, the deep phenotype profile consists of diverse modalities, including imaging (e.g., dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; DXA, ultrasound, retina scans), time-series (e.g., electrocardiogram, continuous glucose monitoring, and sleep), multi-omics (e.g., transcriptome, genetics, gut microbiome, metabolome and immune system), tabular (blood tests, body measures), and questionnaire and App data types (e.g., lifestyle and nutritional habits).
The Human Phenotype Project aims to support researchers developing the next wave of innovation in human health and disease research. To further this goal, the Corundum Convergence Institute (https://cci-fund.org/), a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of human health and wellness, is soliciting proposals for novel analyses and uses of these data. Applicants should articulate the f data to be used, the analyses that will be performed, and the expected outcomes.
The Human Phenotype Project aims to support researchers developing the next wave of innovation in human health and disease research. To further this goal, the Corundum Convergence Institute (https://cci-fund.org/), a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of human health and wellness, is soliciting proposals for novel analyses and uses of these data. Applicants should articulate the f data to be used, the analyses that will be performed, and the expected outcomes.
Eligibility Requirements
- PI’s should be employed by an entity capable of conducting the proposed research: university, research institute, industry research group or startup
Example Areas of Interest
This funding mechanism is designed to expand the scope, reach and potential of HPP datasets, as such we are highly interested in novel ideas, concepts and use cases. Below are a few examples that we have specific interest in, but all ideas are welcomed and there will not be priority given to the exmaples articulated below.
• The microbiome influences sleep by interacting with the gut-brain axis and regulating the production of sleep-related neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin. A healthy, diverse gut microbiome supports better sleep patterns, while an imbalanced microbiome can contribute to sleep disturbances and disorders. This connection between the microbiome and sleep highlights how gut health can impact overall sleep quality and well-being.
• Microbiomes throughout the body, including the skin, oral, and gut microbiomes, play a significant role in regulating brain and mental health. These microbial communities communicate with the central nervous system through various mechanisms, such as modulating immune responses, producing neurotransmitters, and influencing inflammation. Disruptions or imbalances in these microbiomes have been associated with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring the broader impact of microbiomes beyond just the gut on cognitive and emotional well-being.
• The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. This connection is influenced by the microbiome, where gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters and metabolites that can affect brain function and mood. The gut-brain axis plays a key role in regulating digestion, stress responses, and overall mental health through these microbial interactions.
• The microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping the immune system by influencing the development and function of immune cells. Gut bacteria help regulate immune responses, ensuring a balance between defending against pathogens and preventing inflammation. This interaction between the microbiome and immune system is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Diet directly impacts the composition of the gut microbiome, influencing which bacteria thrive and how they function. A diverse and fiber-rich diet supports beneficial microbes that produce metabolites linked to improved digestion, immunity, and mental health. The interaction between diet, the microbiome, and health outcomes is critical, as an imbalanced microbiome can lead to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders.
• The microbiome influences sleep by interacting with the gut-brain axis and regulating the production of sleep-related neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin. A healthy, diverse gut microbiome supports better sleep patterns, while an imbalanced microbiome can contribute to sleep disturbances and disorders. This connection between the microbiome and sleep highlights how gut health can impact overall sleep quality and well-being.
• Microbiomes throughout the body, including the skin, oral, and gut microbiomes, play a significant role in regulating brain and mental health. These microbial communities communicate with the central nervous system through various mechanisms, such as modulating immune responses, producing neurotransmitters, and influencing inflammation. Disruptions or imbalances in these microbiomes have been associated with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring the broader impact of microbiomes beyond just the gut on cognitive and emotional well-being.
• The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. This connection is influenced by the microbiome, where gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters and metabolites that can affect brain function and mood. The gut-brain axis plays a key role in regulating digestion, stress responses, and overall mental health through these microbial interactions.
• The microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping the immune system by influencing the development and function of immune cells. Gut bacteria help regulate immune responses, ensuring a balance between defending against pathogens and preventing inflammation. This interaction between the microbiome and immune system is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Diet directly impacts the composition of the gut microbiome, influencing which bacteria thrive and how they function. A diverse and fiber-rich diet supports beneficial microbes that produce metabolites linked to improved digestion, immunity, and mental health. The interaction between diet, the microbiome, and health outcomes is critical, as an imbalanced microbiome can lead to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders.
Amount
$50,000 to $100,000 USD per project
Support Period
Funding for 1 year, access to database for 2 years.
Number of awards
At most one $100,000 award and two to five $50,000 awards depending on funding available.
Notification
Three months after submission
Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated by the scientific excellence (i.e. novelty, relevance, methodology, and potential impact) of the proposal. Evaluation will be carried out by an external review panel.
Application Contents
Please include the project title and list Principal/co-investigators including title, affiliations and contact information.
1. Abstract: Provide a brief summary, including background and scientific or health-related need, proposed approach, and impact of results.
2. Research Proposal
a. Background: Describe the challenge the project aims to address, briefly cover previous efforts, and rationale for pursuing a new approach, together with related findings or preliminary results from the research team.
b. Project Goal(s) And Applicability: Provide a brief statement of the project objectives and applicability to normal and, if relevant, pathological states.
c. Research Plan: Provide a task-based research plan, including required data inputs (HPP as well as external) and analysis methods. Please include a Gantt chart and list of key milestones by time.
d. Expected Results and Deliverables: Specify expected results, and their relationship to overall project goals (Section b). Please also address, in narrative or a table, major risks and mitigations. In addition, please list and describe key deliverables generated by the research.
3. Budget: In a separate Excel file, please provide a tabulated column/dollar listing by task. Please include salary, equipment/materials, subcontractors/consultants, travel, and overhead as applicable.
4. Funding and COI: Please list any concurrent funding sources for this project. Please note any conflicts of interest, such as consulting or financial ties to related entities.
5. References: References cited in the proposal
6. Limits: Proposals may not exceed 1500 words, excluding references and budget.
1. Abstract: Provide a brief summary, including background and scientific or health-related need, proposed approach, and impact of results.
2. Research Proposal
a. Background: Describe the challenge the project aims to address, briefly cover previous efforts, and rationale for pursuing a new approach, together with related findings or preliminary results from the research team.
b. Project Goal(s) And Applicability: Provide a brief statement of the project objectives and applicability to normal and, if relevant, pathological states.
c. Research Plan: Provide a task-based research plan, including required data inputs (HPP as well as external) and analysis methods. Please include a Gantt chart and list of key milestones by time.
d. Expected Results and Deliverables: Specify expected results, and their relationship to overall project goals (Section b). Please also address, in narrative or a table, major risks and mitigations. In addition, please list and describe key deliverables generated by the research.
3. Budget: In a separate Excel file, please provide a tabulated column/dollar listing by task. Please include salary, equipment/materials, subcontractors/consultants, travel, and overhead as applicable.
4. Funding and COI: Please list any concurrent funding sources for this project. Please note any conflicts of interest, such as consulting or financial ties to related entities.
5. References: References cited in the proposal
6. Limits: Proposals may not exceed 1500 words, excluding references and budget.