This week, a series of daily blog posts highlight 28 BRAIN Initiative notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for 2021. This last post features six funding opportunities for researchers to develop, test, and utilize next-gen neural devices and noninvasive neuroimaging methods to advance our knowledge about the brain.
Human Neuroscience and Clinical Studies
RFA-NS-19-001 Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (Reissue of RFA-NS-18-010; U01)
This NOFO seeks applications to create diverse, integrated, multi-disciplinary teams composed of clinicians, scientists, engineers, and ethicists to pursue high-impact research questions/ hypotheses in human neuroscience. Proposed projects must employ innovative invasive devices to record and/ or stimulate neurons in vivo. Awardees are expected to join a consortium which will set standards of practice (including neuroethical guidance), collect data for follow-up studies, and disseminate data to the broader neuroscience community. The application receipt date is October 29, 2021.
The two NOFOs below encourage translational and clinical studies for innovative invasive recording and/ or stimulating devices in humans (e.g., Early Feasibility Studies). These awards are part of the Public-Private Partnership Program (BRAIN PPP), which fosters collaborative clinical studies between investigators and manufacturers of novel Class III (invasive, risky) neural devices. Researchers, institutions, or businesses developing neural devices or working with manufacturers and those interested in developing neural devices to treat pain (see NOT-NS-052) are encouraged to apply.
RFA-NS-18-021 Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human CNS (Reissue of RFA-NS-17-005; UG3/UH3); RFA-NS-18-022 (Reissue of RFA-NS-17-007; SBIR U44)
These NOFOs support non-clinical testing of a neural device and one small clinical trial designed to assess the function and final design of a device before full-scale clinical trials and market approval. Projects must focus on a single disorder that falls within the mission of the BRAIN Initiative. Investigators involved in small business pursuits should consider the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) NOFO (RFA-NS-022). Applications for both awards are due on February 22, 2021.
RFA-NS-18-023 Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human CNS (Reissue of RFA-NS-17-006; UH3)
This NOFO encourages investigators to pursue a small clinical trial to obtain essential information about the function and design of a neural device. Applications are due on February 22, 2021.
Human Neuroimaging
RFA-EB-20-001 Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (Reissue of RFA-EB-19-001; R01)
This NOFO aims to support small-scale projects for the early stage development of novel noninvasive neuroimaging methods or bold approaches that will lead to transformative advances in brain research. Proposed projects can include new noninvasive tools for studying brain function and connectivity that have not been applied to humans, new approaches that improve spatial resolution at the mesoscale level, behaviorally active human neuroimaging, and other concepts. Tool development will likely require interdisciplinary teams and academic-industrial partnerships are encouraged for this award and the NOFO below. The application receipt date is September 3, 2021.
RFA-EB-19-002 Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (Reissue of RFA-EB-17-004; U01)
This NOFO supports the full-scale development of entirely new noninvasive human brain imaging tools. Applicants are expected to propose innovative methods that are ready for full-scale development and dissemination. Projects can include developing new classes of noninvasive imaging, novel approaches to improving spatiotemporal resolution, behaviorally active human neuroimaging, and other topics. This NOFO builds upon earlier tool development efforts that began with RFA-MH-14-217 and RFA-MH-15-200. Applications are due on September 3, 2021.
Many NOFOs in the BRAIN Initiative are now subject to a data sharing requirement (see notice NOT-MH-19-010). Please view related notices in each NOFO to see if an award falls under this policy.
Please visit the BRAIN Initiative’s Funding Opportunities webpage for more details on these and other awards. Did you miss earlier posts this week on FY2021 NOFOs? If so, check out the main BRAIN blog page here.