$38.4 Million NIH Grant Renewal to Expand Landmark Congenital Heart Disease Genomics Program - Research Horizons

Cincinnati Children’s has secured a six-year, $38.4 million grant renewal from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This funding supports the next phase of the Bench to Bassinet Program, now titled B2B CHANGE. The project stands as a major shift from initial genetic discovery toward long-term health tracking for people born with congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease affects roughly 40,000 infants in the United States annually. It remains the most common major birth defect. While past research phases helped identify genetic causes for 25 percent of previously unexplained cases, this new cycle focuses on longitudinal data. Researchers will study how genetic variations influence clinical outcomes and long-term quality of life for survivors.

Over the last 15 years, the program has built a massive database including whole genome sequencing for over 16,000 biosamples. The new phase, B2B CHANGE, will re-engage participants to conduct deeper clinical assessments and collect updated biological samples. This data aims to clarify why specific heart defects occur and what health trajectories families can expect as children age into adulthood.

Key leadership at Cincinnati Children’s, including Dr. Nicholas Ollberding, Dr. Jessica Woo, and Dr. Michael Wagner, will manage the transition. The team plans to modernize data infrastructure through the HeartsMart platform, allowing researchers nationwide to access findings. The ultimate goal remains providing precise clinical counseling to ensure better monitoring and treatment for patients with complex structural heart problems.