A central goal of the BRAIN Initiative is to understand how electrical and chemical signals code information in neural circuits and give rise to sensations, thoughts, emotions and actions. While currently available technologies can provide some understanding, they may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. For example, non-invasive technologies are low resolution and/or provide indirect measures such as blood flow, which are imprecise; invasive technologies can provide information at the level of single neurons producing the fundamental biophysical signals, but they can only be applied to tens or hundreds of neurons, out of a total number in the human brain estimated at 85 billion.Other BRAIN FOAs seek to develop novel technology (RFA-NS-17-003) or to optimize existing technology ready for in-vivo proof-of-concept testing and collection of preliminary data (RFA-NS-17-004) for recording or manipulating neural activity on a scale that is beyond what is currently possible. This FOA seeks applications for unique and innovative technologies that are in an even earlier stage of development than that sought in other FOAs, including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization.In addition to experimental approaches, the support provided under this FOA might enable calculations, simulations, computational models, or other mathematical techniques for demonstrating that the signal sources and/or measurement technologies are theoretically capable of meeting the demands of large-scale recording or manipulation of circuit activity in humans or in animal models. The support might also be used for building and testing phantoms, prototypes, in-vitro or other bench-top models in order to validate underlying theoretical assumptions in preparation for future FOAs aimed at testing in animal models.

RFA-EY-25-001: BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

March 31, 2025

This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission.

Part 1. Overview Information

Participating Organization(s)

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

• National Eye Institute (NEI)
• National Institute on Aging (NIA)
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), December 18, 2024 - Participation added (NOT-DC-25-021)
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) December 17, 2024 - Participation added (NOT-NS-25-012)
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) December 30, 2024 - Participation added (NOT-EB-24-021)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) January 03, 2025 - Participation added (NOT-DA-24-064)

Funding Opportunity Title

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

Activity Code

R21 - Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant

Announcement Type

Reissue of RFA-EY-23-001

Related Notices

• March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission.
• January 03, 2025 - Notice of change in "Funding Opportunity Goals" for RFA-EY-25-001 "BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)". See Notice NOT-EY-25-004.
• January 03, 2025 - Notice of Change: NIDA Participation in RFA-EY-25-001: BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See Notice NOT-DA-24-064.
• December 30, 2024 - Notice of NIBIB Participation in RFA-EY-25-001: "BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)". See Notice NOT-EB-24-021.
• December 18, 2024 - Notice of NIDCD Participation in RFA-EY-25-001, "BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)". See Notice NOT-DC-25-021.
• December 17, 2024 - Notice of Change: NINDS Participation in RFA-EY-25-001: BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See Notice NOT-NS-25-012.
• April 4, 2024 - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025. See Notice NOT-OD-24-084.
• August 31, 2022 - Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans Included with Applications Due on or after January 25, 2023. See Notice NOT-OD-22-198.
• August 5, 2022 - Implementation Details for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. See Notice NOT-OD-22-189.

Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

RFA-EY-25-001

Companion Funding Opportunity

• RFA-NS-24-004, R01 Research Project
• RFA-NS-24-005, U01 Research Project (Cooperative Agreements)

Number of Applications

See Part 2 Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

Assistance Listing Number(s)

93.867, 93.213, 93.866, 93.173, 93.242, 93.865, 93.273, 93.853, 93.286, 93.279

Funding Opportunity Purpose

This NOFO seeks applications for unique and innovative recording and/or modulation technologies that are in the earliest stage of development, including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization. Some projects may aim to increase recording or modulation capabilities by many orders of magnitude, while others may aim to improve the precision and selectivity of recording or modulation (also referred to as stimulation, perturbation, or manipulation). A wide range of modalities are appropriate including acoustic, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical, as well as the use of genetic tools.

Invasive or non-invasive approaches are sought that will enable large-scale recording and/or precise manipulation of neural activity, and that would ultimately be compatible with experiments in humans or behaving animals. Applications are encouraged from any qualified individual, including chemists, physicists, engineers, theoreticians, materials scientists, and others from fields not typically involved with neuroscience research.

Funding Opportunity Goal(s)

1. To support eye and vision research projects that address the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision in the U.S. These include retinal diseases; corneal diseases; cataract; glaucoma and optic neuropathies; strabismus; amblyopia; and low vision and blindness rehabilitation.
2. To increase understanding of the normal development and function of the visual system in order to better prevent, diagnose, and treat sight-threatening conditions; and, to enhance the rehabilitation, training, and quality of life of individuals who are partially-sighted or blind.
3. To support a broad program of basic vision research through grants and cooperative agreements; to encourage high quality clinical research, including clinical trials, other epidemiological studies, and health services research; to encourage research training and career development in the sciences related to vision; and to sponsor scientific workshops in high priority research areas to encourage exchange of information among scientists.

Key Dates

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