PAR-26-144
Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan - Exploratory Grants
Summary
Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan
This Fogarty International Center program, co-sponsored by NINDS, NIMH, NIA, NIEHS, NICHD, NEI, NIDCD, and NCCIH, funds collaborative research on neurological and psychiatric health across the human lifespan in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The program targets the full spectrum of neuro-health conditions—including neurological, neuromuscular, sensory, neuropsychiatric, neuroinfectious, cognitive, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders—and welcomes basic, clinical, translational, and implementation science approaches. A core requirement is that research must leverage the unique scientific contexts, populations, or disease epidemiology of LMICs that are not readily available in the United States, with the dual goal of advancing global health and informing U.S. health solutions. Projects should develop cost-effective interventions and implementation strategies spanning diagnosis, treatment, and delivery across diverse care settings.
- Who can apply: U.S. and LMIC-based researchers in formal partnership; research must involve active U.S.-LMIC collaboration and exploit unique LMIC scientific contexts (not U.S.-based research with LMIC relevance alone).
- Funding & project length: Not stated.
- Award mechanism: Collaborative research grants.
- Key dates: Not stated.
- Best fit for: Neuroscientists, clinicians, and public health researchers in neurology, psychiatry, developmental neuroscience, and neuroinfectious disease seeking to conduct field-based or population studies in resource-limited settings with U.S. partners.
Insights (6)
LMIC-Specific Scientific Context Is Non-Negotiable, Not Peripheral
This program explicitly requires research that leverages unique scientific contexts present in LMICs—not simply U.S. research with LMIC relevance or applicability. Your competitive advantage depends on identifying disease burden, epidemiology, environmental exposures, or population characteristics in your target LMIC(s) that are scientifically distinct and unavailable domestically. Generic global health framing will not succeed; you need a clear articulation of what the LMIC context uniquely enables scientifically.
U.S.-LMIC Partnership Must Be Genuine and Bidirectional
The program mandates collaborative research between U.S. and LMIC scientists, not U.S. leadership with LMIC participation. Successful applications will demonstrate co-leadership, shared decision-making, and capacity-building outcomes for LMIC partners. Token collaborations or consultant arrangements will be at a competitive disadvantage; invest in establishing equitable partnerships with established LMIC research groups before submission.
Lifespan Neurodevelopment and Neuroinfectious Diseases Are Emerging Priorities
The program explicitly emphasizes research across the full lifespan and specifically highlights neuroinfectious diseases alongside traditional neurological and neuropsychiatric domains. If your research addresses developmental neurobiology, aging-related brain disorders, or infections affecting the nervous system (e.g., neurocysticercosis, post-infectious sequelae) in LMIC populations, you align with stated priorities and may face less competition than established neurological disease areas.
Multi-Institute Consortium Suggests Moderate Award Frequency and Broad Scope
Co-sponsorship by NINDS, NIMH, NIA, NIEHS, NICHD, NEI, NIDCD, and NCCIH indicates a large funding portfolio across diverse neuro-health domains. This breadth reduces competition within any single disease area but also suggests the program funds a range of mechanisms and career stages. Clarify the specific mechanism (R01, R21, K award) and expected award size to assess your positioning.
Early-Stage Investigators May Find Advantage in Capacity-Building Framing
FIC programs historically support ESI/NSI development, and this program's emphasis on 'strengthening collaborative research' and 'development of innovative interventions' suggests openness to career-building applications. If you are early-stage, positioning your project as building your independent LMIC research program—rather than extending established U.S. work—may strengthen competitiveness.
Implementation Research and Cost-Effectiveness Are Explicitly Valued
The program encourages 'implementation research approaches' and 'cost-effective interventions,' signaling that applications need not be basic science-heavy. If your research includes implementation science, health systems research, or economic evaluation in LMIC settings, you meet a stated priority. This opens pathways for applied and translational researchers who might otherwise assume FIC programs favor discovery science.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Fri, September 26, 2025
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (2)
Program explicitly requires research to leverage unique scientific contexts of LMICs and must involve U.S.-LMIC collaborations, not just U.S.-based research with LMIC relevance
95%
Source Text
“Awards will catalyze and strengthen collaborative research on the brain and nervous system that leverages the unique scientific contexts of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) not readily present in the United States”
Phrase 'leverages the unique scientific contexts of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) not readily present in the United States' could be interpreted as requiring research that cannot be conduct
85%
Source Text
“Awards will catalyze and strengthen collaborative research on the brain and nervous system that leverages the unique scientific contexts of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) not readily present in the United States”