BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applications close Feb 8, 2027
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- Agency
- National Institutes of Health
- Opportunity number
- RFA-MH-26-170
- Posted
- Nov 15, 2024
- Closes
- Feb 8, 2027
- Cost sharing required
- false
About this opportunity
The purpose of this Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is to encourage applications that will develop and validate novel tools to facilitate the detailed analysis of complex circuits and provide insights into cellular interactions that underlie brain function. The new tools and technologies should inform and/or exploit cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity. Plans for validating the utility of the tool/technology will be an essential feature of a successful application. The development of new genetic and non-genetic tools for delivering genes, proteins and chemicals to cells of interest or approaches that are expected to target specific cell types and/or circuits in the nervous system with greater precision and sensitivity than currently established methods are encouraged. Tools that can be used in a number of species/model organisms rather than those restricted to a single species are highly desired. Applications that provide approaches that break through existing technical barriers to substantially improve current capabilities are highly encouraged.
Who can apply
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.
How to apply
- 1Register your organization
Applications are submitted by your institution, not individuals. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration (with a UEI) and a Grants.gov account with an Authorized Organization Representative.
- 2Read the full notice
Open the official notice for the complete eligibility rules, review criteria, page limits, and required forms. Applications close Feb 8, 2027.
- 3Download the application package
From the Grants.gov opportunity page, download the package (or apply via your agency's system where required) and prepare each component.
- 4Build and submit
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Agency contact: National Institutes of Health · grantsinfo@nih.gov
Details are pulled from Grants.gov and can change, always confirm against the official notice. GrantsManager isn't affiliated with these agencies.
About the NIH R01 program
NIH's flagship, investigator-initiated grant for a discrete, mature research project.
Typical award: Typically 3-5 years. Budgets up to $250K/year in direct costs use the modular format; requests of $500K+/year in direct costs need prior agreement from the institute.
Resources for applying
All NIH grants and resources- Proposal submission checklist
A pre-submission checklist for research proposals: solicitation review, internal routing, budget, compliance, and sponsor-system steps to hit the deadline cleanly.
- NIH modular budget
How NIH modular budgets work: the $250,000 threshold, $25,000 modules, consortium F&A, what goes in the personnel, consortium, and additional narrative justifications, and a worked example.
- Reading your Notice of Award
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- Letter of Support Template for Grant Applications
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- NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Template
A free NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan template in the updated 2026 format required for due dates on or after May 25, 2026, with every element, word limits, and example answers.
- Budget Justification Template
A free budget justification (budget narrative) template for research grants, organized by the federal R&R budget categories, with example language for personnel, fringe, equipment, travel, other direct costs, subawards, and F&A.
- Grant Application Cover Letter Template
A free cover letter template for NIH grant applications, with when a cover letter is required, what to include, who reads it, and why assignment requests now go on a separate form.
- NIH salary cap 2026
The NIH salary cap for 2026 is $228,000 (Executive Level II, effective January 1, 2026). See the cap by year and calculate the allowable salary and over-the-cap amount at any effort level.
- NIH modular budget
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- F&A & MTDC calculator
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- Grants.gov
Federal grant applications and forms for NIH, USDA, and many others.
- NIH eRA Commons
NIH application status, progress reports (RPPR), and award management.
- SciENcv
Biosketches and Current & Pending (Other) Support documents.
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