Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores
About This Grant
Project Summary Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are becoming increasingly accessible through direct-to-consumer (DTC) platforms and clinical practice. While PRS have the potential to enhance health monitoring and motivate preventive behaviors, misinterpretation of probabilistic risk estimates may also induce distress, reinforce genetic determinism, and lead to misguided health-related decisions. Present research indicates that patients and the public frequently misunderstand PRS results, often overestimating genetic influence and failing to contextualize probabilistic risk. Additionally, despite the rapid expansion of PRS use, standardized guidelines for communicating their meaning, limitations, and predictive accuracy remain lacking. This mixed-methods research program aims to systematically examine PRS comprehension, identify psychological predictors of genetic determinism, and develop evidence-based educational interventions to enhance genetic risk communication and comprehension. Aim 1 will assess how individuals understand genetic and statistical concepts underlying PRS through the development and evaluation of infographics designed to improve comprehension. Additionally, this aim will investigate how genetic causal attributions and genetic beliefs shape PRS interpretations, psychosocial responses, and health decisions. Aim 2 will experimentally evaluate how different PRS result formats (percentile rank vs. percentage change) and the inclusion of predictive accuracy metrics influence risk perception, emotional reactions, and subsequent health behaviors. Aim 3 will build upon these findings by experimentally testing PRS infographics integrated with a comprehension assessment and targeted corrective feedback to enhance public understanding and informed health decision-making. Overall, this research will identify key comprehension barriers, determine effective communication strategies, and establish best practices for responsibly reporting PRS results in both clinical and DTC settings. Findings will provide critical insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and genomic companies to optimize PRS integration into precision medicine, empowering individuals to make informed, personalized health choices. This research will further serve as the foundation for a future R01-funded longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the long-term effectiveness of PRS communication strategies on psychosocial and behavioral health outcomes. By improving PRS comprehension, this work will help bridge the gap between scientific advancements in genomics and their ethical, effective application in public health.
Grant Summary
Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores is a NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute grant providing up to $143K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-02-28 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $143K
2028-02-28
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores from NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute before the deadline.
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Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores?
Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores is offered by NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores provide?
Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores provides up to $143K per award from NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores deadline?
Applications for Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores are due 2028-02-28 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores?
To apply for Comprehension and Perception of Genetic Influence: A Psychosocial Examination of Polygenic Risk Scores, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute.