# Center on the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research

> **NIH NIH RM1** · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA · 2024 · $561,142

## Abstract

Summary
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) concerns about genomics are well documented but are too often left
unaddressed. The failure to authentically engage AI/AN communities about their research priorities continues to
compromise participation of Indigenous Americans in genomics and contributes to barriers that may still be
resolved. There are substantial opportunities to change these dynamics by investing in community-led research
on ethical, legal, and social implications, but this requires a concerted effort to build the infrastructure for this
work, both in the academy and in the community. Since 2016, the Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic
Research (CEIGR) has established a consortium whereby Tribal research enterprises and community-based
investigators, together with university research partners, jointly lead research that draws upon practices of
community engagement, Indigenous research methods, and successful mentoring and training practices to
continue addressing important and under-studied questions about genomic research among AI/AN people. Our
Center continues to be at the forefront of advancing community-engaged scholarship in ethical, legal, and social
implications research specifically, but also by the rapidly growing application of deliberative processes, to which
we have made substantial contributions in the way of adapting deliberative approaches to AI/AN contexts. We
are requesting a supplement as an extension with funds to finalize ongoing ELSI work of our Center addressing
the following aims:
SA1: To extend a network of AI/AN communities leading empirical ELSI research a) to advance dialogue on
genomic research, biobanking, and data sharing, b) to stimulate work in new communities nationally through a
pilot research program;
SA2: To advance thinking about current ELSI concerns in AI/AN communities a) by working with community
partners to identify unresolved ELSI questions b) by convening academic and community partners to advance
scholarship in these areas;
SA3: To train the next generation of leaders for AI/AN ELSI research a) through ongoing integration with the
University of Oklahoma’s NHGRI Diversity Action Plan R25, b) through a postdoctoral fellowship program, c)
through a program to develop and support community research leaders.
Our Center’s empirical and normative efforts, combined with our model of partnership and respect for Tribal
sovereignty, have produced resources, guidance, and a replicable approach to community engagement around
ELSI issues in AI/AN contexts that continues to serve our collective efforts and others finding value in our
approach.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11089166
- **Project number:** 3RM1HG009042-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL G SPICER
- **Activity code:** RM1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $561,142
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-09-24 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11089166

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11089166, Center on the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research (3RM1HG009042-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11089166. Licensed CC0.

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