BRAIN Initiative: Integrative Team-Research BRAIN Circuits Program - iBCP (RM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

HHS-NIH11 RFA-NS-27-002
Posted: Aug 31, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Closes: 06/23/2028

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding
$1,000,000
Award Ceiling
$8,000,000
Expected Number of Awards
5

Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports transdisciplinary research teams seeking to develop mechanistic, biologically grounded explanations of how neural circuits and their cellular building blocks give rise to central nervous system (CNS) function. Teams must integrate expertise spanning molecular and cellular through systems neuroscience, with strong collaboration between experimental and computational investigators, to bridge cells, circuits, and behavior in a unified framework that yields mechanistic insight.Applications must explicitly connect three core elements: (1) characterization of circuit components (e.g., cell types and/or connectivity); (2) measurement of dynamic circuit activity, incorporating in vivo CNS recordings at cellular and sub-second temporal resolution; and (3) analyses of a tractable behavior or functional output.To address this significant challenge in neuroscience, proposed studies are expected to leverage innovative conceptual or theoretical frameworks, predictive models, and/or cutting-edge approaches that unify these three levels of analysis and bridge experimental and computational components.Recipients are expected to participate in BRAIN consortia activities to identify standards of practice towards multi-level integration.

Synopsis

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports transdisciplinary research teams seeking to develop mechanistic, biologically grounded explanations of how neural circuits and their cellular building blocks give rise to central nervous system (CNS) function. Teams must integrate expertise spanning molecular and cellular through systems neuroscience, with strong collaboration between experimental and computational investigators, to bridge cells, circuits, and behavior in a unified framework that yields mechanistic insight.Applications must explicitly connect three core elements: (1) characterization of circuit components (e.g., cell types and/or connectivity); (2) measurement of dynamic circuit activity, incorporating in vivo CNS recordings at cellular and sub-second temporal resolution; and (3) analyses of a tractable behavior or functional output.To address this significant challenge in neuroscience, proposed studies are expected to leverage innovative conceptual or theoretical frameworks, predictive models, and/or cutting-edge approaches that unify these three levels of analysis and bridge experimental and computational components.Recipients are expected to participate in BRAIN consortia activities to identify standards of practice towards multi-level integration.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) Special district governments Independent school districts County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. See NIH Grants Policy Statement 16.8 Collaborative International Research Awards.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

Funding Activity Categories

Health

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 Use and Addiction Research Programs
  • 93.286 - Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health
  • 93.372 - 21st Century Cures Act - Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies
  • 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
Phone: 301-402-2541
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS
BRAINCircuits@NIH.GOV

Additional Information

Document Type: synopsis
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Version: 1
Last Updated: Aug 31, 2026 12:27:02 PM EDT

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