The funding opportunities below aim to enhance our knowledge of the brain by funding the development of tools for neural recording and modulation.
RFA-EY-23-001 BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This funding opportunity seeks applications for unique and innovative recording and/or modulation technologies that are in the earliest stage of development, including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization. A wide range of modalities are appropriate including acoustic, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical, as well as the use of genetic tools. Applications are encouraged from any qualified individual, including chemists, physicists, engineers, theoreticians, materials scientists, and others from fields not typically involved with neuroscience research. Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due June 18, 2024.
RFA-DC-24-001 BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
This funding opportunity seeks applications to assemble diverse, integrated, multi-disciplinary teams that cross boundaries of interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome these fundamental barriers and to investigate high-impact questions in human neuroscience. The research should be offered as exploratory research and planning activities to establish feasibility, proof-of-principle and early-stage development that, if successful, would support, enable, and/or lay the groundwork for a potential, subsequent Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain, as described in the companion funding opportunity (RFA-NS-22-041). Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due September 20, 2024.
RFA-NS-24-005 BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Instrumentation and Device Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
This funding opportunity seeks applications to optimize existing or emerging technologies through iterative testing with end users. The technologies and approaches should have potential to address major challenges associated with recording and modulation (including various modalities for stimulation/activation, inhibition and manipulation) of cells (i.e., neuronal and non-neuronal) and networks to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system (CNS). Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due October 1, 2024.
RFA-NS-24-004 BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This funding opportunity seeks exceptionally creative approaches to address major challenges associated with recording and modulating CNS activity, at or near cellular resolution, at multiple spatial and/or temporal scales, in any region and throughout the entire depth of the brain. Technologies may engage diverse types of signaling beyond neuronal electrical activity such as optical, magnetic, acoustic and/or genetic recording/manipulation. Applications that seek to integrate multiple approaches are encouraged. Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due October 1, 2024.
RFA-MH-23-335 BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)
This funding opportunity supports the development and validation of next generation platforms and analytic approaches to precisely quantify behaviors in humans and link them with simultaneously recorded brain activity. Tools used for analyzing behavior should be multi-modal and should be able to be linked to brain activity and thus have the accuracy, specificity, temporal resolution, and flexibility commensurate with tools used to measure and modulate the brain circuits that give rise to those behaviors. Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due February 15, 2024.
RFA-NS-22-041 BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (U01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
This funding opportunity will support integrated, interdisciplinary research teams that focus on examining dynamic circuit functions related to behavior, using advanced and innovative technologies. Applications should aim to understand these circuits of the central nervous system by systematically controlling stimuli and/or behavior while actively recording and/or manipulating relevant dynamic patterns of neural activity and by measuring the resulting behaviors and/or perceptions. Please read the full NOFO for more details. Applications are due September 21, 2024.
RFA-NS-21-023 BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
RFA-NS-21-024 BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
These funding opportunities encourage investigators to pursue translational activities and small clinical studies for recording and/or stimulating devices to treat central nervous system disorders and better understand the human brain. The clinical trial is expected to provide information that cannot be practically obtained through additional non-clinical assessments (e.g., bench top or animal studies) due to the novelty of the device or its intended use. Please read the full NOFO for more details and visit the therapeutic human neuroscience program page for more information about this topic. Applications are due February 20, 2024.
NOT-NS-24-017 Preclinical Proof of Concept for Novel Recording and Modulation Technologies in the Human CNS (R18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This Notice of Intent to Publish is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects for a funding opportunity, which is expected to be published in January 2024, with an anticipated application receipt date in May 2024. The funding opportunity would support development and preclinical testing, beginning with proof of concept, of next-generation recording and/or modulation devices for human use to further our understanding of the human central nervous system and treat nervous system disorders. Please read the full notice of intent to publish for more details.
NOT-NS-22-052 BRAIN Initiative: Translation of Groundbreaking Technologies from Early-stage Development through Early Clinical Study via Blueprint MedTech
This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) encourages the translation of the novel neurotechnologies, funded through the BRAIN Initiative and overseen by the NIH Blueprint MedTech program. Academic and Small Business Concerns are encouraged to submit grant applications that propose non-clinical validation for subsequent clinical feasibility studies. Applications supporting the development and translation of groundbreaking neurotechnologies that fit within the mission of the BRAIN Initiative are encouraged. Please read the full notice for more details. Applications are due February 18, 2024, and June 20, 2024.
As part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative’s efforts to promote more impactful science through the inclusion of diverse perspectives, many of these funding opportunities will require a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives as part of the application. Please visit the BRAIN Initiative’s funding opportunities webpage for more details on these and any additional opportunities that may arise.