[National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov)

June 17, 2025 | June 15, 2026

Up to $400,000 total direct costs over 3 years; no more than $200,000 in any single year.

Supports early-stage, high-risk research to develop innovative technologies for large-scale recording and modulation of neural activity in the nervous system.

Clinical trials are not allowed; preliminary data are not required; foreign organizations are eligible.

--- ## Description This NIH opportunity, part of the BRAIN Initiative, seeks to accelerate the development of novel, early-stage technologies for recording and/or modulating neural activity in the central nervous system. The focus is on high-risk, high-reward projects that are in the initial stages of conceptualization, including new and untested ideas. The goal is to overcome current limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, scale, and specificity of neural recording and modulation, ultimately enabling experiments in humans or behaving animals that are not currently possible. A wide range of modalities are appropriate, including acoustic, chemical, electrical, magnetic, optical, and genetic tools. Both invasive and non-invasive approaches are welcome. The program encourages applications from researchers in fields not traditionally associated with neuroscience, such as engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, and computational modeling. Projects may include experimental approaches, as well as calculations, simulations, computational models, or other mathematical techniques to demonstrate theoretical feasibility. Building and testing phantoms, prototypes, or in vitro/bench-top models to validate underlying assumptions is also supported. --- ## Due Dates - **Next application due:** June 17, 2025 - **Following due date:** June 15, 2026 - All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. - No letter of intent is required. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum budget:** $400,000 total direct costs over a maximum 3-year period. - **Annual cap:** No more than $200,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year. - **Project period:** Up to 3 years. - **Estimated number of awards:** ~10 per fiscal year, with a total of $3–4 million in new awards per year. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants include:** - Public and private institutions of higher education - Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - State, county, city, township, and special district governments - Independent school districts - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Native American tribal governments and organizations (federally recognized and other) - Faith-based and community-based organizations - Regional organizations - U.S. federal agencies and U.S. territories/possessions - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and foreign components of U.S. organizations - **Individuals:** Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI(s) may apply. - **Multiple applications:** Allowed, provided each is scientifically distinct. - **Cost sharing:** Not required. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/search-grants?oppStatuses=closed|archived|posted|forecasted&fon=RFA-EY-25-001), NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution. - **Required registrations:** SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov (can take 6+ weeks; start early). - **Application format:** Use the [NIH SF424 (R&R) forms, Forms-H](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-h/research-forms-h.pdf). - **Research plan:** Follow the [How to Apply - Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/url_redirect.php?id=82400) and the specific instructions in the [funding announcement](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EY-25-001.html). - **Budget:** R&R Budget Form required (not modular); include travel funds for up to two key personnel to attend annual BRAIN Initiative meetings. - **Data sharing:** All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan, consistent with [NIH policy](https://sharing.nih.gov/data-management-and-sharing-policy/about-data-management-sharing-policy/data-management-and-sharing-policy-overview). - **Appendix:** Only limited materials allowed (see FOA for details). --- ## Additional Information ### Scope and Responsiveness - **Responsive projects:** Must focus on the earliest-stage development of new or untested technologies for recording or modulating CNS activity at cellular or circuit resolution. - **Non-responsive projects:** - Projects not at the earliest stage of technology development - Projects focused on disease mechanisms or therapeutic outcomes (rather than technology development) - Technologies for the peripheral nervous system only - Projects not compatible with experiments in behaving animals - Projects focused solely on theoretical models without experimental validation - Projects improving existing noninvasive neuroimaging/neuromodulation methods (e.g., fMRI, TMS) not aimed at cellular/circuit resolution ### Review Criteria - **Emphasis on:** Conceptual framework, innovation, and potential for significant impact. - **Preliminary data:** Not required, but may be included if available. - **Peer review:** Conducted by NIH Scientific Review Groups; applications are scored for significance, innovation, approach, investigator(s), and environment. ### Data Sharing - **Expectations:** Awardees must comply with BRAIN Initiative data sharing policies and participate in annual PI meetings and other collaborative activities. --- ## External Links - [Full Funding Opportunity Announcement (NIH)](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EY-25-001.html) - [NIH BRAIN Initiative](https://braininitiative.nih.gov/) - [How to Apply - NIH Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/url_redirect.php?id=82400) - [NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy](https://sharing.nih.gov/data-management-and-sharing-policy/about-data-management-sharing-policy/data-management-and-sharing-policy-overview) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357601) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Name/Title | Institute/Center | Email | Phone | |------------------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Scientific/Research Contact | Martha Flanders, PhD | NEI | [BRAIN-FOAs@nih.gov](mailto:BRAIN-FOAs@nih.gov) | 301-827-5191 | | Scientific/Research Contact | Erin Burke Quinlan, PhD | NCCIH | [erin.quinlan@nih.gov](mailto:erin.quinlan@nih.gov) | 301-451-0636 | | Scientific/Research Contact | Changhai Cui, PhD | NIAAA | [changhai.cui@nih.gov](mailto:changhai.cui@nih.gov) | 301-443-1678 | | Peer Review Contact | Brian Hoshaw, PhD | NEI | [hoshawb@nei.nih.gov](mailto:hoshawb@nei.nih.gov) | 301-402-0566 | | Grants Management Contact | Karen Robinson Smith | NEI | [Karen.Robinson.Smith@nei.nih.gov](mailto:Karen.Robinson.Smith@nei.nih.gov) | 301-435-8178 | | Grants Management Contact | Debbie Chen | NCCIH | [debbie.chen@nih.gov](mailto:debbie.chen@nih.gov) | 301-594-3788 | | Grants Management Contact | Judy Fox | NIAAA | [judy.fox@nih.gov](mailto:judy.fox@nih.gov) | 301-443-4704 | | General Grants Info | NIH Grants Information | NIH | [GrantsInfo@nih.gov](mailto:GrantsInfo@nih.gov) | 301-480-7075 | | Application Submission Help | eRA Service Desk | NIH | [https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help](https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help) | 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 | ---

BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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