Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

CFDA 93.853 Active Grant Cooperative Agreement

Open Opportunities (31)

Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.

See all grants from National Institutes of Health →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$2.35B FY2025
$2.36B
FY24
$2.35B
FY25

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 93.853 (USAspending.gov).

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 There will be 748 competing research application awards made.

Program Objective

(1) To support extramural research funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) including: basic research that explores the fundamental structure and function of the brain and the nervous system; research to understand the causes and origins of pathological conditions of the nervous system with the goal of preventing these disorders; research on the natural course of neurological disorders; improved methods of disease prevention; new methods of diagnosis and treatment; drug development; development of neural devices; clinical trials; and research training in basic, translational and clinical neuroscience. The Institute is the largest funder of basic neuroscience in the US and supports research on topics including but not limited to: development of the nervous system, including neurogenesis and progenitor cell biology, signal transduction in development and plasticity, and programmed cell death; synapse formation, function, and plasticity; learning and memory; channels, transporters, and pumps; circuit formation and modulation; behavioral and cognitive neuroscience; sensorimotor learning, integration and executive function; neuroendocrine systems; sleep and circadian rhythms; and sensory and motor systems. In addition, the Institute supports basic, translational and clinical studies on a number of disorders of the nervous system including (but not limited to): stroke; traumatic injury to the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system; neurodegenerative disorders; movement disorders; brain tumors; convulsive disorders; infectious disorders of the brain and nervous system; immune disorders of the brain and nervous system, including multiple sclerosis; disorders related to sleep; and pain. Programmatic areas, which are primarily supported by the Division of Neuroscience, are also supported by the Division of Extramural Activities, the Division of Translational Research, the Division of Clinical Research, the Office of Training and Workforce Development, the Office of Programs to Enhance the Neuroscience Workforce, and the Office of International Activities. (2) To expand and improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. To utilize the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program; to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • Local
  • State
  • Territorial
  • Tribal
  • Foreign Government
  • Foreign Nonprofit Organization
  • Foreign Not-for-Profit Organization
  • Foreign For-Profit Organization
  • International Organization
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Not-for-Profit Organization
  • For-Profit Organization

Research Grants: Any public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit institution is eligible to apply. For-profit institutions are not eligible for Institutional National Research Service Awards but are eligible for Individual NRSAs. All proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, for evaluation of the qualifications of the investigators, for adequacy of the research environment, and for significance of the problem. Approved proposals compete for available funds. All Career Development Program awardees, with the exception of awardees of the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), must be citizens or have been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Candidates must be nominated for the program by a nonfederal public or private nonprofit institution located in the United States, its possessions or territories. To be eligible, postdoctoral NRSA trainees or fellows must have a professional or scientific degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., D.O., D.V.M., Sc.D., D. Eng., or equivalent domestic or foreign degree). SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the entire research must be performed in the United States. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Research Grant, Training, Fellowship and SBIR/STTR applications are reviewed initially by technical panels, composed of scientific authorities, and by the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council composed of 18 leaders in medical science, education, and public affairs. Approved applications will compete on a merit basis for available funds. Formal award notices are transmitted to the grantee or awardee.

Research grants: Approximately 6 to 9 months. Career program: From 7 to 8 months. SBIR/STTR applications: Approximately 6 to 9 months. Institutional Training Grants: From 6 to 12 months.

Program details & compliance

Description

The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease for all people.

Mission Categories

Primary: Research and Development

Other categories:
General Health and Medical

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Research grants may be used to provide salaries, equipment, supplies, travel and other expenses for research. The grantee institution is obliged to expend grant funds prudently for the purposes stated in the application and award document. National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) are made directly to individuals for research training in specified biomedical shortage areas, or to institutions, to enable them to make NRSAs to individuals selected by them. Each individual who receives a NRSA may be obligated upon termination of the award to comply with service and payback provisions. Career Development Awards such as the Independent Scientist Awards (K02) provide support for newly independent scientists with health-related degrees who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers and facilitating their ability to obtain major NIH research awards. Mentored Clinical Research Scientist Development Awards (K08) provide support for clinically trained health professionals who need an additional period of sponsored research experience as a way to gain expertise in a research area new to the candidate or in an area that would demonstrably enhance the candidate's scientific career. The K01 and K22 Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards are used to promote diversity in neuroscience research and support an intensive supervised research career development experience for underrepresented, disabled or disadvantaged career neuroscientists. The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) provide support for a period of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive clinical investigators. SBIR and STTR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months to 2 years in duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. Phase II grants (of approximately 1 to 3 years in duration) are for the continuation of the research efforts initiated in Phase I that are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I, scientific and technical merit, and commercial potential of Phase II application. Grant funds may be expended only for the purpose stated in the application and award document. The NINDS participates in the NIH SBIR/STTR "fast track" and Phase IIB initiatives.

Required Documentation

Research grants are awarded to an institution in the name of an individual investigator. Persons qualified to carry out research related to the extramural programs described above may apply for funds to support their investigations. Mentored Career Development Program training must be conducted under the direction of a competent sponsor. National Research Service Awards: individual NRSA Fellowships for postdoctoral training: the candidate's academic record, research experience, citizenship, institutional sponsorship, and the proposed area and plan of training must be included in the application. Institutional Training Grants for predoctoral and postdoctoral training: the applicant institution must show the objectives, methodology and resources for the research training program; the qualifications and experience of directing staff; the criteria to be used in selecting individuals for stipend support; and a detailed budget and justification for the amount of grant funds requested. For-profit organizations' costs are determined in accordance with Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations 45 CFR 75. For SBIR and STTR grants, the applicant organization (small business concern) must present in a research plan an idea that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Determined at Time of Award, Project Closeout, Annual
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Andrea Meredith, Director
3014511520
6001 Executive Boulevard, Suite 5309, Bethesda, MD 20892
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-09. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:29:04.

The free database of U.S. federal grants for nonprofits and grant writers — updated daily from official sources, Grants.gov, SAM.gov and other official resources.

✓ 100% free   ✓ No account required   ✓ Direct links to official applications

More categories
More applicant types
More states
More funders
Explore
Company
Help