Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative Research on Behavior at the Organismal Level
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities seeking to advance neurotechnology and behavioral measurement methods. Eligible applicants typically include academic research institutions, research centers, and organizations with capacity to conduct translational neuroscience research. The grant supports transdisciplinary projects studying brain-behavior relationships in both human and non-human subjects. Work must combine high-resolution sensing technologies with computational modeling in real-world settings, and participation in consortium activities is mandatory.
Geographic scope is national. All U.S.-based institutions meeting research capacity requirements may apply. International collaborations may be included as sub-awardees.
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Key dates
- Jan 26, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 13, 2026 Application deadline in 88 days
- Jul 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative, a collaboration of Federal and non-Federal partners led by NIH, seeks to accelerate development and dissemination of new neurotechnologies, transdisciplinary approaches, and scientific databases to study brain function with unprecedented resolution and scope. The BRAIN Initiative’s Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization (BBQS) Program furthers this mission by supporting the development of tools for high-resolution, multimodal tracking of complex behaviors synchronously with neural activity and advancement of theoretical frameworks and computational models for understanding neurobehavioral function in real-world settings. This BRAIN Initiative-funded BBQS opportunity will support transdisciplinary research involving human subjects and/or other species aiming to advance methods to capture and model complex behavior at the organismal level in dynamic environments. Required objectives include advancing sensing technologies and approaches for minimally intrusive, high-resolution, synchronous measurement of multiple biobehavioral functions (e.g. movements, peripheral physiology and neural activity) with simultaneous, multi-level tracking of environmental variables; and developing analytic and computational approaches that will lead to new, testable models of neurobehavioral function as a complex dynamic system shaped by the organism’s environment. Participation in consortium activities will be required. This forecast is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 241&284 and 114 U.S.C. 255.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (research plan)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Facilities and Resources documentation
- Letters of Support (consortium partners)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
Program contact
- 👤 The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative
- 📧 BRAINBBQS@od.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.372 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$32,686,188
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$28,020,396
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$21,489,807
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$18,975,021
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$18,658,648
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$18,402,104
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$18,265,297
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$18,155,129
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$18,097,780
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$16,999,781
Top States by Funding
- CA 26 awards $193.1M
- MA 16 awards $173.0M
- NY 15 awards $157.2M
- WA 10 awards $86.6M
- PA 7 awards $40.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.372). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $162,718,171 | |
| 2025 | $262,433,366 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and authorized research organizations with established infrastructure for neuroscience research. Applicants must have capacity to conduct transdisciplinary research and collaborate within consortium structures.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from applicants.
What research activities are supported?
Development of sensing technologies for simultaneous tracking of behavior, neural activity, and environmental variables. Creation of computational models and analytical frameworks for understanding brain-behavior relationships.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong transdisciplinary teams, innovative technological approaches, clear theoretical frameworks, and demonstrated commitment to consortium participation and data sharing.
What is the typical funding range?
The total program pool is $8,000,000. Individual award amounts depend on project scope, team size, and duration; contact NIH program officer for specific guidance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the transdisciplinary nature of your team. Include neuroscientists, engineers, computational scientists, and domain experts.
- Highlight technological innovation. Describe novel approaches to minimally invasive, multimodal sensing and synchronous data collection.
- Propose clear computational/theoretical advances. Show how data will lead to testable models of neurobehavioral dynamics.
- Address consortium participation early. Clarify your role, collaboration structure, and data-sharing plans with other funded projects.
- Include preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of your sensing and analytical approaches in your proposed system.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating consortium participation requirements; many applications fail to clearly define coordination roles and data-sharing mechanisms. Proposing incremental technological improvements instead of transformative sensing innovations. Weak computational or theoretical frameworks that don't advance understanding of brain-behavior as a dynamic system.
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