RFA-NS-25-016
BRAIN Initiative: Promoting Health for All Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships (R34 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Summary
RFA-NS-25-016: BRAIN Initiative – Promoting Health for All Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships
Research Focus
This funding opportunity targets investigators at resource-limited institutions (RLIs) seeking to adopt and integrate validated BRAIN Initiative resources into their research programs. The program supports two-way knowledge transfer and collaboration between researchers at RLIs and BRAIN technology disseminators—individuals with expertise in distributing well-developed neurotechnology tools. Funded work focuses on establishing feasibility and validity for future larger-scale studies using BRAIN resources, or on innovative dissemination of these resources through integration into training programs. Research may address fundamental questions about nervous system development, structure, and function, as well as disease mechanisms and brain health challenges in populations experiencing health disparities. Activities may include exploratory and pilot efforts, with minor resource adaptations allowed, but the program explicitly excludes significant technology development, clinical trials, and patient services.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Investigators at resource-limited institutions (RPG funding <$7.5M total costs/year in 4 of last 7 years); must partner with a BRAIN Initiative disseminator as key personnel
- Funding & project length: Up to $225,000/year (max $450,000 over 3 years); 4 awards anticipated from $1.8M total commitment
- Award mechanism: R34 planning grant
- Key dates: Applications open May 17, 2025; earliest start June 17, 2025; expiration June 18, 2026
- Best fit for: Neuroscience, neurotechnology adoption, and brain health research at under-resourced institutions; exploratory/pilot studies using existing BRAIN U24 resources or Alliance-developed tools
Key Facts
Deadline
Wed, June 17, 2026
Posted
Thu, November 21, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$225,000
Max Total
$450,000
Max Duration
3 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (7)
Applications must utilize ONLY resources from the specified NIH BRAIN Initiative U24 Programs list or BRAIN Initiative Alliance Developed Resources and Tools list at time of application submission. Ap
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Source Text
“Applications that propose utilization of resources not described in this list of NIH BRAIN Initiative U24 Programs and/or this list of BRAIN Initiative Alliance Developed Resources and Tools at time of application. ... Applications considered non-responsive will be withdrawn prior to review.”
Projects that do not list an individual associated with disseminating the BRAIN Initiative relevant resource as key personnel will be withdrawn prior to review without consideration.
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Source Text
“Projects that do not list an individual associated with disseminating the BRAIN Initiative relevant resource as key personnel. Applications considered non-responsive will be withdrawn prior to review.”
Applicant institution must be a Resource Limited Institution (RLI), defined as having RPG funding <7.5 million TC/year in 4 of the last 7 years. This is a strict eligibility criterion that disqualifie
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Source Text
“The user: An investigator from a resource limited institution (RLI), defined here as RPG funding <7.5 million TC/year in 4 of the last 7 years”
The NOFO was updated on March 31, 2025 to align with agency priorities. Applicants are explicitly instructed to carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to applica
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Source Text
“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.”
Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed; projects supporting clinical trials or patient services will be withdrawn as non-responsive.
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Source Text
“Projects that support clinical trials or provide patient services. Applicants considering such efforts are encouraged to explore alternative funding mechanisms... Clinical Trial? Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials.”
Award budget is capped at $225,000 per year and $450,000 total over the 3-year project period, which is substantially lower than typical R01 grants and may constrain scope significantly.
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Source Text
“Direct costs limited to $225,000 per year and $450,000 over the 3-year project period.”
Project period is strictly limited to 3 years maximum; applications proposing longer periods will not comply with requirements
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Source Text
“The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 3 years.”