Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers developing novel neurotechnology to record and modulate neural activity at unprecedented scale. Eligible applicants include institutions (universities, colleges, research centers) and organizations recognized by NIH, including HBCUs, HSIs, tribal colleges, and faith-based organizations. The project must aim to advance recording or manipulation of neural circuits beyond current technological limits. Research can be computational, theoretical, or bench-top validation; clinical trials are not allowed.
International organizations, federal agencies, and non-domestic entities may also apply under expanded eligibility guidelines.
This grant is for researchers developing novel neurotechnology to record and modulate neural activity at unprecedented scale. Eligible applicants include institutions (universities, colleges, research centers) and organizations recognized by NIH, including HBCUs, HSIs, tribal colleges, and faith-based organizations. The project must aim to advance recording or manipulation of neural circuits beyond current technological limits. Research can be computational, theoretical, or bench-top validation; clinical trials are not allowed.
International organizations, federal agencies, and non-domestic entities may also apply under expanded eligibility guidelines.
Program description
A central goal of the BRAIN Initiative is to understand how electrical and chemical signals code information in neural circuits and give rise to sensations, thoughts, emotions and actions. While currently available technologies can provide some understanding, they may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. For example, non-invasive technologies are low resolution and/or provide indirect measures such as blood flow, which are imprecise; invasive technologies can provide information at the level of single neurons producing the fundamental biophysical signals, but they can only be applied to tens or hundreds of neurons, out of a total number in the human brain estimated at 85 billion.Other BRAIN FOAs seek to develop novel technology (RFA-NS-17-003) or to optimize existing technology ready for in-vivo proof-of-concept testing and collection of preliminary data (RFA-NS-17-004) for recording or manipulating neural activity on a scale that is beyond what is currently possible. This FOA seeks applications for unique and innovative technologies that are in an even earlier stage of development than that sought in other FOAs, including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization.In addition to experimental approaches, the support provided under this FOA might enable calculations, simulations, computational models, or other mathematical techniques for demonstrating that the signal sources and/or measurement technologies are theoretically capable of meeting the demands of large-scale recording or manipulation of circuit activity in humans or in animal models. The support might also be used for building and testing phantoms, prototypes, in-vitro or other bench-top models in order to validate underlying theoretical assumptions in preparation for future FOAs aimed at testing in animal models.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Faith-based Organization
- HBCU
- HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution)
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- TCU (Tribal Colleges)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers developing novel neurotechnology to record and modulate neural activity at unprecedented scale. Eligible applicants include institutions (universities, colleges, research centers) and organizations recognized by NIH, including HBCUs, HSIs, tribal colleges, and faith-based organizations. The project must aim to advance recording or manipulation of neural circuits beyond current technological limits. Research can be computational, theoretical, or bench-top validation; clinical trials are not allowed.
International organizations, federal agencies, and non-domestic entities may also apply under expanded eligibility guidelines.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- R&R SF-424 (Research & Related Application form)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches
- Protection of Human Subjects documentation (if applicable)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Vertebrate Animals documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.173 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$67,501,043
-
$39,056,528
-
$29,666,573
-
$25,009,162
-
$22,883,624
-
$22,740,456
-
$16,596,227
-
$13,255,879
-
$12,363,350
-
$12,276,804
Top States by Funding
- MA 11 awards $142.6M
- CA 10 awards $101.6M
- CT 2 awards $76.3M
- IA 5 awards $74.7M
- MD 7 awards $56.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.173). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $422,034,489 | |
| 2025 | $422,700,014 | |
| 2026 est. | $427,030,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply to this BRAIN Initiative R21 grant?
Universities, research institutions, HBCUs, HSIs, tribal colleges, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and federal agencies can apply. International organizations are also eligible.
What types of projects are funded?
Novel neurotechnology concepts, computational models, theoretical validation, phantom testing, and bench-top prototypes for neural recording/modulation are supported. Clinical trials are not allowed.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is June 15, 2026. Plan to submit well before this date.
How much funding is available?
Up to $200,000 total is available for this funding opportunity. Individual awards vary.
What makes a competitive application?
Novel ideas in early conceptualization, clear theoretical justification, and feasibility for scaling to large neural populations are key. Strong preliminary data strengthens competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on innovation and novelty, not incremental improvements to existing technologies.
- Clearly articulate the theoretical basis for your approach and why current methods are insufficient.
- Include detailed timelines and milestones for bench-top validation or computational demonstration.
- Address scalability explicitly—explain how your concept could eventually record/modulate thousands to millions of neurons.
- Engage collaborators early; multidisciplinary teams (engineering, neuroscience, computation) strengthen proposals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear theoretical justification for why new technology is needed. Proposals propose incremental improvements rather than novel concepts in early stages. Insufficient detail on scalability or path to eventual in-vivo testing.
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