The BRAIN Blog

This week, a series of daily blog posts will highlight 28 new and reissued BRAIN Initiative notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for 2020. Today’s post highlights four awards that support the use of integrative, novel methods to elucidate neural circuits. The goal of these NOFOs is to enhance our understanding of neural circuitry by funding individual and collaborative brain circuit projects.

This week, a series of daily blog posts will highlight 28 new and reissued BRAIN Initiative notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for 2020. For the past five years BRAIN-funded scientists have developed astounding new technologies to study neural circuits, enabling a better understanding of the brain and complex disorders. Next year’s awards will accelerate the pace of neuroscience discovery by building upon this work and expanding the scope of the BRAIN Initiative. Today’s post focuses on data science, training, neuroethics, and small business opportunities.

The next application deadline for the BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) is February 10, 2020 (resubmission deadline is March 10, 2020).

In a recent paper published in JAMA Neurology, a collaborative team of ethics and neuroscience experts highlight key ethical issues surrounding neural device research and provide points to consider for researchers and others working in this space.

NINDS Director Walter J. Koroshetz, NIMH Director Joshua A. Gordon, NICHD Director Diana W. Bianchi, NIA Director Richard Hodes, NIAAA Director George Koob, NCCIH Director Helene Langevin, NIBIB Director Bruce J. Tromberg, NIDCD Director Debara L. Tucci, NEI Acting Director Santa Tumminia, NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, ORWH Director Janine A. Clayton, and OBSSR Director William T. Riley.

The recent conference for the Society for Neuroscience gave many BRAIN Initiative-funded researchers the chance to showcase their newly developed technologies that are helping to drive neuroscience forward. Nearly 30,000 people from 75 countries attended the meeting, held October 19-23 in Chicago, Illinois.

A recently issued BRAIN notice of funding opportunity (RFA-MH-20-140) targets development and validation of advanced human cell-based assays to model brain structure and function. Potential applicants may appreciate clarity on how the HHS policy on research involving human fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions may affect proposed research.

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 newly-issued Requests for Applications (RFAs). The first RFA seeks to expand existing marmoset colonies for neuroscience research. The second RFA aims to create a Marmoset Coordination Center. Application receipt dates are in October 2019 for both RFAs.

Three new receipt dates have been added to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO): November 6, 2019; July 1, 2020; and November 10, 2020.

This announcement provides a notice (NOT-NS-19-034) that three new receipt dates have been added to “BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Planning Projects – TargetedBCPP (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)” (RFA-NS-18-014).