Novel technologies for understanding the brain and treating brain disorders are expected to give rise to new and complex social and ethical questions that warrant focused attention and investigation. With this new Request for Applications (RFA), NIH solicits research proposals to address core ethical issues associated with human brain research and/or developments resulting from emerging technologies and research advances of the types supported by the BRAIN Initiative.
The brain gives rise to consciousness, our innermost thoughts and basic human needs, so it comes as no surprise that new social and ethical questions will emerge from novel technologies for studying brain function, and from development of new therapies to treat brain disorders. With novel technologies developed as part of the BRAIN Initiative and other related efforts, new ethical issues in areas such as brain imaging, neuromodulation, data privacy, and informed consent warrant reasoned analysis informed by careful research.
NIH has consulted a number of different sources for the development of this new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), RFA-MH-17-260, Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science. The BRAIN 2025 report, NIH’s working guidance document for the BRAIN Initiative, recommends “support for data‐driven research to inform ethical issues arising from BRAIN Initiative research, ideally with integrated activities between ethicists and neuroscientists.” Additionally, NIH received feedback through a recent BRAIN Neuroethics Request for Information (NOT-MH-16-014), which underscored endorsements from the broader public and scientists alike for thoughtful consideration of potential ethical issues associated with scientific advances and technology development. NIH also receives ongoing input from the Neuroethics Workgroup of the BRAIN Multi-Council Working Group, which provides input on priority issues to be addressed by NIH.
The new NOFO solicits research addressing core ethical issues associated with human brain research and/or developments resulting from emerging technologies and research advances of the types supported by the BRAIN Initiative. Of particular interest are ethics research projects that integrate direct consideration of ethical issues with scientific research, such as empirical studies of emerging ethical issues in the context of research involving human subjects. NIH expects efforts supported under this initiative will be complementary to, and will integrate with, the transformative breakthrough research supported by the BRAIN Initiative.
The application due date for the NOFO is January 30, 2017. A technical assistance phone conference will be held for potential applicants on January 17, 2017. Interested individuals should contact Drs. Jay Churchill and Khara Ramos (see below).
Please visit our Active Funding Opportunities page for more details on this and other RFAs for the BRAIN Initiative.
Scientific/Research Contact(s) for RFA-MH-17-260:
Jay Churchill, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-3621
Email: churchillj@mail.nih.gov
Khara Ramos, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-594-2614
Email: ramoskm@ninds.nih.gov