Project Grant R01MH142618

Award Summary: Psychiatric Genomics Consortium - Mechanisms and Translation

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) awarded a $1,299,427 Project Grant (CFDA 93.242: Mental Health Research Grants) to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031. This award funds the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), an established research collaborative that has advanced psychiatric genetics research for nearly two decades with over 1,700 investigators and 755 publications. The consortium will deliver integrated genetic discovery and mechanistic research products through three coordinated research aims: (1) identification and rigorous analysis of genetic variants associated with serious psychiatric disorders affecting Americans using state-of-the-art methods to analyze common, rare, and structural variants; (2) dissection of disorder heterogeneity by examining shared and distinct genetic influences on risk across psychiatric and chronic medical conditions; and (3) advancement of mechanistic understanding of psychiatric risk and resilience through fine-mapping of genetic loci, identification of relevant biological contexts, and integration of functional genomic annotations.

The award leverages the PGC's established analytical infrastructure and organizational structure to deliver biological and clinical insights into the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders, with the ultimate objective of improving patient outcomes. The research incorporates data from both domestic and international sites, recognized as scientifically essential to achieve the sample sizes necessary for robust genetic discovery. Deliverables will include foundational genomic datasets, mechanistic findings, peer-reviewed publications, and training and outreach materials advancing understanding of how genetic factors contribute to mental and physical health outcomes.