# The eMERGE Risk Assessment Network - Coordinating Center

> **NIH NIH U01** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $2,453,046

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network has been at the forefront of
genomic medicine research since its establishment in 2007 and has informed national and
international research programs, including the All of Us Research Program. Integral to the
Network's success is Vanderbilt's longstanding role as a dedicated Coordinating Center
(CC). With Vanderbilt as a founding member, eMERGE pioneered the use of large scale genomic
and electronic health record (EHR) data for research, developed and validated over 60 electronic
phenotypes, integrated clinically actionable genomic data into the EHR, published over 600
manuscripts, and formed a cohort of over 135,000 adult and pediatric participants that is broadly
accessible for further discovery.
 The next phase of eMERGE will develop and return genomic risk assessments (GRA) in
diverse populations, utilizing polygenic risk scores (PRS) to predict and manage the risk of
common, complex diseases. We are proposing to form the Genomic Risk Assessment
Coordinating center for eMERGE (GRACE) with the Broad Institute to add expertise in large-scale
genotyping, cloud computing, and genomic data analysis and management, and with Duke
University to leverage its proficiency in the implementation of patient-oriented family history tools
and delivery of risk assessments. To meet the needs of the Network, GRACE will continue to
serve NHGRI, the Network, and its members in all coordination, communication, and collaboration
functions while providing a nationally visible home for eMERGE authored tools and scientific
productivity. Secondly, we will assist the Network with selecting and validating polygenic risk
scores (PRS) for approximately fifteen complex diseases and developing genomic risk
assessments (GRAs) which combine the PRS with other clinical risks, family history, and
monogenic risks to individuals of diverse ancestry. Finally, we will coordinate a prospective study
for 20,000 participants which calculates clinical and genomic risks for participants and their
providers. In addition to providing the genotyping and PRS reporting services, we will develop
with the Network scalable EHR-based methods to assess uptake of risk-reduction
recommendations and clinical impact.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987065
- **Project number:** 1U01HG011166-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Niall John Lennon
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,453,046
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987065

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987065, The eMERGE Risk Assessment Network - Coordinating Center (1U01HG011166-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987065. Licensed CC0.

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