Two new and four re-issued notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) target development of next-generation human cell-derived assays, secondary analysis and archiving of data, next-generation human brain imaging, improved resolution for non-invasive neuromodulation, and tools for high-throughput microconnectivity analysis.
NIH announces two new and four re-issued notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) that are requests for applications (RFAs) for the BRAIN Initiative. One new RFA targets development of next-generation human cell-derived assays to facilitate analysis of higher-order functional deficits relevant to disease. A second new RFA encourages secondary analysis and archiving of BRAIN Initiative data. Four re-issued RFAs target next-generation human brain imaging, improved precision in non-invasive neuromodulation, and tools to facilitate high-throughput microconnectivity analysis.
RFA-MH-20-140 [Research to Develop and Validate Advanced Human Cell-Based Assays To Model Brain Structure and Function (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)]
The purpose of this NOFO is to stimulate basic research to develop next-generation human cell-derived assays with improved fidelity to complex human brain, spinal cord, and/or organ circuit physiology, which will ultimately facilitate analysis of higher order functional deficits relevant to complex nervous system diseases. This includes technologies that do not rely on the use of human fetal tissue, as described in NOT-OD-19-042. This NOFO is distinct from others that focus on optimization and scalability of assays for compound screening, although projects could have utility for late stage evaluation of drug efficacy and toxicity. Supported projects will be expected to enable future studies of complex nervous system development, function and aging in healthy and disease states.
Applications for this RFA are due November 1, 2019.
RFA-MH-20-120 [Secondary Analysis and Archiving of BRAIN Initiative Data (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)]
This NOFO aims to significantly advance new discoveries and accelerate the pace of research of the BRAIN Initiative through harnessing big data and machine learning opportunities. The BRAIN Initiative and the neuroscience field are generating massive and diverse research data across different modalities, spatiotemporal scales, and species in efforts to advance our understanding of the brain. As such, there have been significant investments in the development of an infrastructure to make data available to the research community in a useful way. This NOFO encourages secondary analysis of the large amounts of existing data related to the BRAIN Initiative. The data do not need to be held in one of the funded BRAIN Initiative data archives, but the data must be held in a data archive that is readily accessible to the research community. Support will be provided for innovative analysis of relevant existing datasets using conventional or novel analytic methods, data science techniques, and machine learning approaches. Support may also be requested to prepare and submit existing data into any of the BRAIN Initiative data archives. Analyzed data, models, and analytical tools generated under this NOFO are expected to be deposited into an appropriate data archive.
The next receipt date for these applications is September 6, 2019.
RFA-EB-19-001 [re-issue of EB-17-003; Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)]
This NOFO aims to support early stage development of entirely new and novel noninvasive human brain imaging technologies and methods that will lead to transformative advances in our understanding of the human brain. The NOFO solicits unusually bold and potentially transformative approaches and supports small-scale, proof-of-concept development based on exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional concepts. The goal is to accelerate early stage development of promising and entirely new concepts that require some initial development and testing before full-scale tool development and widespread use. Therefore, applications should focus on innovative approaches and proof-of-principle initial stage development for breakthrough, noninvasive imaging technology to measure human brain processes in ways that are currently unachievable via imaging technologies in real time.
Applications for this RFA are due September 3, 2019.
RFA-EB-19-002 [re-issue of EB-17-004; Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)]
This NOFO aims to support full development of entirely new or next-generation noninvasive human brain imaging tools and methods that will lead to transformative advances in our understanding of the human brain. The goal of this NOFO is to develop novel and transformative imaging technologies beyond the proof-of-concept stage for novel, noninvasive imaging of human brain processes in ways that are currently unachievable in healthy persons. The intended outcome is bold and high-impact tools and methods for human neuroscience that can be broadly disseminated for use in healthy people. This NOFO seeks innovative applications that are ready for full-scale development of breakthrough technologies with the intention of delivering working tools, and represents the second stage of the tool/technology development effort that started with RFA-MH-14-217 and RFA-MH-15-200.
The next receipt date for these applications is September 3, 2019.
RFA-MH-20-310 [re-issue of MH-17-240; Non-Invasive Neuromodulation – New Tools and Techniques for Spatiotemporal Precision (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)]
Non-invasive neuromodulation devices are rapidly becoming one of the classes of tools considered for the treatment and diagnosis of brain disorders and could become an alternative or an adjunct to various existing therapies. Non-invasive devices can be defined as those that do not require surgery and do not penetrate the brain parenchyma. While promising, these methods still face obstacles of limited spatial and temporal resolution. This NOFO solicits grant applications in two related but distinct areas. The first area is in the development and testing of novel tools and methods of neuromodulation that go beyond existing stimulation methods, overcoming issues in resolution. The second distinct area is the significant improvement of existing stimulation methods.
The next receipt date for these applications is September 3, 2019.
RFA-MH-20-135 [re-issue of MH-18-505; Tools to Facilitate High-Throughput Microconnectivity Analysis (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)]
The purpose of this NOFO is to encourage applications that will develop and validate tools and resources to facilitate the detailed analysis of brain microconnectivity. Novel and augmented techniques are sought that will be broadly accessible to the community for the interrogation of microconnectivity in healthy and diseased brains. Development of technologies that will significantly drive down the cost of connectomics would enable routine mapping of the microconnectivity through longitudinal studies, or to compare normal and pathological tissues across individuals to assess variability. Advancements in both electron microscopy (EM) and super resolution light microscopic approaches are sought, as are applications that propose to develop approaches that break through existing technical barriers to substantially improve current capabilities. Proof-of-principle demonstrations and/or reference datasets enabling future development are welcome, as are improved approaches for automated segmentation and analysis strategies of neuronal structures in EM images.
The next receipt date for these applications is September 27, 2019.
Please visit our Funding Opportunities page for more details on these and other RFAs for the BRAIN Initiative.