Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools and New Approaches for Neuroscience Research
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities developing novel neuroscience tools and approaches. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, research universities, and research-focused nonprofits with institutional research infrastructure. Projects must focus on developing tools to characterize cell-types and circuits or record/modulate neural activity. Research can be at any stage of development, from early conceptualization through optimization for broad adoption.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Jun 24, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 10, 2027 Application deadline in 329 days
- Apr 1, 2028 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research to develop novel tools and approaches that enable the interrogation of cell-specific and circuit-specific processes in the central nervous system. This NOFO consolidates three current BRAIN Initiative tool development programs.
Projects that focus on developing a broad range of new research tools to delineate anatomical and functional connections between cells and circuits, and to expand our knowledge of brain architecture and function are encouraged, such as projects that:
- Develop novel tools to characterize/define cell-types, circuits, and cellular components in the nervous system with greater selectivity and sensitivity, including:
- new genetic or non-genetic technologies/approaches (for delivering genes, proteins, and chemicals to access and/or manipulate cells of interest)
- novel sensors or tracers for imaging or monitoring molecules, structures, and activities within single cells and circuits with significant advances in sensitivity, selectivity, or spatiotemporal resolution
- Develop new technologies and novel approaches for recording and modulation of neural cells and circuits, including:
- approaches to address major challenges and enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system
- approaches that utilize any modality, such as optical, electrical, magnetic, or acoustic recording/manipulation
- approaches to target neuronal electrical signals or other forms of neural activity, including intracellular signaling and engagement of non-neuronal cells in circuit function.
Projects at broad stages of development are supported, from unique and innovative technologies that are in the earliest stage of development (including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization) through the optimization of existing instrumentation with transformative potential in order to facilitate broad adoption. Applications that offer transformative approaches that break through existing technical barriers and substantially improve current capabilities are strongly encouraged. 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 RP1 activity code.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) when released
- Project Narrative describing the tool/approach and innovation
- Specific Aims
- Research Design and Methods
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches of key personnel
- Letters of Support from collaborators (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 BRAIN Initiative
- 📧 BRAINTools@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.242 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$78,262,050
-
$75,056,208
-
$74,756,329
-
$64,705,159
-
$63,991,707
-
$54,214,022
-
$48,653,752
-
$38,895,082
-
$38,475,557
-
$35,940,675
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $408.1M
- MA 9 awards $230.5M
- NY 6 awards $184.2M
- CT 4 awards $183.5M
- WA 4 awards $174.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.242). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,722,300,004 | |
| 2025 | $1,726,864,191 | |
| 2026 est. | $99,221,272 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this BRAIN Initiative grant?
Academic institutions, research universities, and nonprofit research organizations with established research capacity are typically eligible. Check the full NOFO for your organization type's eligibility status.
What types of projects does this grant support?
Novel tool development for mapping brain anatomy and function. Projects may involve genetic technologies, imaging sensors, or recording/modulation approaches at any stage from early concept to optimization.
Is there a deadline for applications?
Yes, the deadline is June 10, 2027. This is a fixed deadline; rolling submission is not available.
How competitive is this funding?
BRAIN Initiative grants are highly competitive. Focus on transformative approaches that break through existing technical barriers and demonstrate potential for broad impact.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary based on project scope and stage of development. Review the full NOFO for specific funding levels available under this announcement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the innovation and transformative potential of your tool or approach. Show how it breaks through current technical barriers in neuroscience research.
- Demonstrate feasibility even if your project is in early stages. Provide preliminary data or proof-of-concept evidence where possible.
- Clarify how your tool will enable broad adoption by the neuroscience research community. Explain potential applications and scalability.
- Build collaborations with complementary expertise early. BRAIN Initiative often benefits from multidisciplinary teams that strengthen technical and scientific approaches.
- Align your specific aims with the core program goals: characterizing cell-types and circuits, or advancing recording and modulation technologies.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Focusing on basic neuroscience questions rather than tool development itself. The grant funds the development of new methods, not primarily the science they enable. Underestimating technical risk and feasibility—be honest about challenges and mitigation strategies. Proposing incremental improvements instead of transformative or novel approaches that represent genuine technical advances.
Similar grants
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative Research on Behavior at the Organismal Level — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health