BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Instrumentation and Device Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

HHS-NIH11 RFA-NS-25-017

Posted: Sep 24, 2024 12:00:00 AM EDT

Closes: 01/20/2026

Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks applications to optimize instrumentation and device technologies for recording and modulation of neural cells and circuits, to address major challenges and to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system. It is expected that the proposed technologies and approaches have previously demonstrated their transformative potential through initial proof-of-concept testing, and are ready for accelerated refinement through iterative engineering and end-user feedback, appropriate for a path towards sustainable dissemination and user-friendly incorporation into routine neuroscience research. Applications may propose development of instrumentation hardware and/or devices and associated software. Approaches may utilize any modality such as optical, electrical, magnetic, or acoustic recording/manipulation, to target neuronal electrical signals or other forms of neural activity, including intracellular signaling and engagement of non-neuronal cells in circuit function. This NOFO is a re-issue of RFA-NS-21-027, but unlike the previous NOFO the focus is narrowed to technologies associated with recording/manipulation instrumentation and devices, and excludes projects primarily focused on development of molecular reagents. Potential applicants primarily optimizing molecular constructs should consider RFA-MH-22-245 (or its reissue), BRAIN Initiative: Engineering and optimization of molecular technologies for functional dissection of neural circuits (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). For projects at an earlier stage of development of molecular reagents, potential applicants should consider the companion FOA (RFA-NS-25-018) or alternative BRAIN Initiative announcements including RFA-MH-21-175 and RFA-EY-21-001 (or their reissues). For this and the companion NOFO, the aim of the proposed technologies should be to reduce major barriers to conducting neurobiological experiments, including considerations of cost and ease of access, and to enable new discoveries for understanding neural circuit function. Technologies should address major challenges associated with recording and modulating CNS activity, at cellular or circuit resolution, and should contribute to an overall ecosystem of technologies spanning multiple spatial and temporal scales in any region throughout the CNS. The approaches should be compatible with experiments in behaving animals, with an expectation that they will be validated with in vivo experiments during the course of the project. Proposed validation experiments must focus on demonstrating the capabilities and potential impact of the technology, rather than advancing the state of biological knowledge as the primary project goal. Applications are encouraged to integrate multiple approaches, and where appropriate, to leverage a variety of domains of expertise from biological, chemical, and physical sciences, engineering, computational modeling, and statistical analysis.

Synopsis

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks applications to optimize instrumentation and device technologies for recording and modulation of neural cells and circuits, to address major challenges and to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system. It is expected that the proposed technologies and approaches have previously demonstrated their transformative potential through initial proof-of-concept testing, and are ready for accelerated refinement through iterative engineering and end-user feedback, appropriate for a path towards sustainable dissemination and user-friendly incorporation into routine neuroscience research. Applications may propose development of instrumentation hardware and/or devices and associated software. Approaches may utilize any modality such as optical, electrical, magnetic, or acoustic recording/manipulation, to target neuronal electrical signals or other forms of neural activity, including intracellular signaling and engagement of non-neuronal cells in circuit function. This NOFO is a re-issue of RFA-NS-21-027, but unlike the previous NOFO the focus is narrowed to technologies associated with recording/manipulation instrumentation and devices, and excludes projects primarily focused on development of molecular reagents. Potential applicants primarily optimizing molecular constructs should consider RFA-MH-22-245 (or its reissue), BRAIN Initiative: Engineering and optimization of molecular technologies for functional dissection of neural circuits (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). For projects at an earlier stage of development of molecular reagents, potential applicants should consider the companion FOA (RFA-NS-25-018) or alternative BRAIN Initiative announcements including RFA-MH-21-175 and RFA-EY-21-001 (or their reissues). For this and the companion NOFO, the aim of the proposed technologies should be to reduce major barriers to conducting neurobiological experiments, including considerations of cost and ease of access, and to enable new discoveries for understanding neural circuit function. Technologies should address major challenges associated with recording and modulating CNS activity, at cellular or circuit resolution, and should contribute to an overall ecosystem of technologies spanning multiple spatial and temporal scales in any region throughout the CNS. The approaches should be compatible with experiments in behaving animals, with an expectation that they will be validated with in vivo experiments during the course of the project. Proposed validation experiments must focus on demonstrating the capabilities and potential impact of the technology, rather than advancing the state of biological knowledge as the primary project goal. Applications are encouraged to integrate multiple approaches, and where appropriate, to leverage a variety of domains of expertise from biological, chemical, and physical sciences, engineering, computational modeling, and statistical analysis.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Independent school districts County governments Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.

Funding Activity Categories

Education Health Income Security and Social Services

CFDA Numbers

93.173 - Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders
93.213 - Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health
93.242 - Mental Health Research Grants
93.273 - Alcohol Research Programs
93.279 - Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs
93.286 - Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health
93.853 - Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders
93.865 - Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research
93.866 - Aging Research
93.867 - Vision Research

Contact Information

Agency: National Institutes of Health

Contact: National Institutes of Health

Email: grantsinfo@nih.gov

Phone: 301-402-2541

NIH Grants Information
grantsinfo@nih.gov

Additional Information

Document Type: synopsis

Opportunity Category: Discretionary

Version: 3

Last Updated: Mar 31, 2025 12:48:19 PM EDT

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