NIH

Forecasted

RFA-NS-26-011

BRAIN Initiative: Integrative Team-Research BRAIN Circuits Program - iTeamBCP (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)

Summary

AI-generated

NINDS-Led Integrative Systems Neuroscience Initiative

Research Focus

This multi-institute initiative seeks to understand how the nervous system generates mental experience and behavior by integrating analysis across biological scales. The program targets fundamental principles of central nervous system (CNS) function through theories and models that bridge cellular, circuit, and behavioral levels of organization. Research must connect three complementary analytical approaches: characterization of circuit components (cell types, connectivity patterns), in vivo CNS recordings at cellular resolution with sub-second temporal precision, and quantitative analysis of tractable behaviors or well-defined neural systems. Projects may develop novel tools and experimental approaches to overcome technical barriers. The emphasis is on identifying generalizable, multi-scale principles of CNS computation underlying neural function and behavior, with experimental systems chosen for their capacity to reveal integrative mechanisms.

At a Glance

Who can apply: Teams of 3–6 PDs/PIs integrating expertise across molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral, computational, and theoretical neuroscience; engineering; data science; mathematics; physics; and statistics.
Funding & project length: Not stated.
Award mechanism: RM1 activity code.
Key dates: NOFO not yet published; this is advance notice for collaboration planning.
Best fit for: Systems and computational neuroscience researchers combining electrophysiology, circuit mapping, behavioral analysis, and quantitative modeling in model organisms or defined neural systems.

Key Facts

Deadline

—

Posted

Thu, August 28, 2025

93.853

93.372

Grants.gov

Keywords

systems neuroscience

central nervous system function

neural circuits

behavioral neuroscience

circuit connectivity

cell type classification

computational neuroscience

neural coding

cellular neuroscience

in vivo neural recording

behavior analysis

brain imaging

Research Areas

OpenAlex

Life SciencesD1Social SciencesD2Physical SciencesD3Health SciencesD4

Fields

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular BiologyF13Computer ScienceF17EngineeringF22MathematicsF26MedicineF27NeuroscienceF28Physics & AstronomyF31PsychologyF32

Subfields

Cell BiologyS1307Molecular BiologyS1312Artificial IntelligenceS1702Biomedical EngineeringS2204Computational MechanicsS2206Applied MathematicsS2604Modeling & SimulationS2611Statistics & ProbabilityS2613Psychiatry & Mental HealthS2738Behavioral NeuroscienceS2802Biological PsychiatryS2803Cellular & Molecular NeuroscienceS2804Cognitive NeuroscienceS2805Developmental NeuroscienceS2806Endocrine & Autonomic SystemsS2807Neurology (Neuroscience)S2808Sensory SystemsS2809Statistical & Nonlinear PhysicsS3109Experimental & Cognitive PsychologyS3205

Topics

Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesT10042Complex Network Analysis TechniquesT10064Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchT10077Statistical Methods and InferenceT10136Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase SignalingT10169Natural Language Processing TechniquesT10181Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesT10241Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationT10268+14 more

MeSH

AnatomyA

Nervous SystemA08CellsA11

DiseasesC

Nervous System DiseasesC10

Chemicals & DrugsD

Analytical/Diagnostic/Therapeutic TechniquesE

DiagnosisE01Investigative TechniquesE05

Psychiatry & PsychologyF

Behavior MechanismsF01Psychological PhenomenaF02

Phenomena & ProcessesG

Cell PhysiologyG04Genetic PhenomenaG05Physiological PhenomenaG07Musculoskeletal & Neural PhysiologyG11Biological PhenomenaG16Mathematical ConceptsG17

Disciplines & OccupationsH

Natural Science DisciplinesH01

Anthropology/Education/SociologyITechnology/Food/BeveragesJ

Information ScienceL

Information ScienceL01

Health CareN

ANZSRC FoR

Biological Sciences31

Biochemistry & Cell Biology3101Bioinformatics & Computational Biology3102Microbiology3107

Biomedical & Clinical Sciences32

Immunology3204Medical Biochemistry & Metabolomics3205Neurosciences3209

Engineering40

Biomedical Engineering4003Control Engineering & Robotics4007

Information & Computing46

Artificial Intelligence4602Data Management & Data Science4605Machine Learning4611

Mathematical Sciences49

Applied Mathematics4901Numerical & Computational Mathematics4903Statistics4905

Physical Sciences51

Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics5102Quantum Physics5108

Psychology52

Applied & Developmental Psychology5201Biological Psychology5202Clinical & Health Psychology5203Cognitive & Computational Psychology5204

Gotcha Warnings are heuristic flags for further investigation — not a compliance check. Always read the full FOA/NOFO.

Gotchas (1)

Soft Block

planningprogram required components

Project must connect three specific levels of analysis (circuit components, in vivo recordings, behavior/neural system); failure to address all three could result in desk rejection

95%

Source Text

“Applications must connect these 3 levels of analysis: (1) rich large-scale information about circuit components (e.g., cell types, connectivity), (2) in vivo CNS recordings at cellular and sub-second and temporal resolution, (3) along with analyses of a tractable behavior of an organism or a well-defined neural system.”

Synopsis

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications from teams to understand how the nervous system, from its individual components to its unified whole, gives rise to mental experience and behavior. Teams must integrate distinct expertise of 3-6 PDs/PIs to deliver fundamental principles about central nervous system (CNS) function through theories, models, and approaches that bridge cells, circuits, behavior. Applications must connect these 3 levels of analysis: (1) rich large-scale information about circuit components (e.g., cell types, connectivity), (2) in vivo CNS recordings at cellular and sub-second and temporal resolution, (3) along with analyses of a tractable behavior of an organism or a well-defined neural system. Projects may also include the development of tools and approaches to surmount key research roadblocks. Experimental systems should be chosen for their potential to optimize integrative approaches and reveal generalizable, multi-scale principles about CNS computations underlying function and behavior. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the RM1 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of integrative systems neuroscience are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations from newly formed or established teams, combining expertise in molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral, computational, and theoretical neuroscience, as well as in engineering, data science, mathematics, physics, and statistics, as appropriate, will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.

Source: Simpler.grants.gov