Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Coordinating Unit for Biostatistics, Informatics, and Engagement (CUBIE)
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations and institutions supporting the NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network. Eligible applicants include research universities, medical centers, and nonprofit research institutions with capacity for biostatistics, bioinformatics, and scientific engagement. The Coordinating Unit role requires institutional infrastructure for managing data, coordinating multi-site collaboration, and providing technical support. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in computational biology and ability to lead a national research coordination effort.
Key dates
- Mar 11, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 1, 2026 Application deadline in 122 days
- Jul 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
This grant is for research organizations and institutions supporting the NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network. Eligible applicants include research universities, medical centers, and nonprofit research institutions with capacity for biostatistics, bioinformatics, and scientific engagement. The Coordinating Unit role requires institutional infrastructure for managing data, coordinating multi-site collaboration, and providing technical support. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in computational biology and ability to lead a national research coordination effort.
Program description
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), intends to publish a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to solicit research applications for the BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) Coordinating Unit for Biostatistics, Informatics, and Engagement (CUBIE). In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding. The overall goals of CUBIE are to (i) enable the exploration of large-scale brain cell atlas data and knowledge, and inspire research in brain function and disorders; and (ii) ensure research rigor and data reproducibility by making the data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), and the process transparent. This is a renewal that will continue the funding for a 2-year period. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow eligible applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Applications are expected to collaborate with the broader research community to analyze and interpret all existing brain cell census/atlas data to enhance statistical power, ensure research rigor and data reproducibility, and foster the formation of a brain cell atlas ecosystem by leveraging recent Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) advancements.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for research organizations and institutions supporting the NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network. Eligible applicants include research universities, medical centers, and nonprofit research institutions with capacity for biostatistics, bioinformatics, and scientific engagement. The Coordinating Unit role requires institutional infrastructure for managing data, coordinating multi-site collaboration, and providing technical support. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in computational biology and ability to lead a national research coordination effort.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Commitment from Partner Institutions
- Biosketches of Key Personnel
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
Program contact
- 👤 BRAIN-BICAN@nih.gov
- 📧 BRAIN-BICAN@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
-
$75,056,208
-
$74,756,329
-
$72,845,834
-
$64,705,159
-
$63,991,707
-
$54,214,022
-
$38,895,082
-
$38,475,557
-
$34,635,977
-
$34,475,710
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $408.1M
- MA 9 awards $230.3M
- NY 6 awards $184.2M
- WA 4 awards $174.9M
- CT 3 awards $138.9M
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 grant?
Research institutions, medical schools, and nonprofit research organizations with strong computational and biostatistics capacity. Must have experience managing large collaborative research networks.
What is the primary focus of CUBIE?
It provides coordination, biostatistical support, and informatics infrastructure for the national BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network. Includes data management and scientific engagement for consortium partners.
What activities are typically funded?
Biostatistical analysis pipelines, data integration platforms, consortium management, training, and scientific workshops. Operational costs for a coordinating center are common.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. Applicants face review from national panels evaluating scientific rigor and organizational capacity. Only one coordinating unit is typically selected.
What is the typical funding range?
Federal research coordination grants typically range $500K-$2M annually. Exact amounts vary by program design and institutional scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a collaborative team with biostatisticians, bioinformaticians, and scientific coordinators before applying.
- Demonstrate prior experience managing multi-institutional research networks or data coordination projects.
- Clearly detail your computational infrastructure and ability to integrate data from multiple research sites.
- Emphasize training and engagement capacity for consortium members across institutions.
- Address how your team will support open science and data sharing aligned with NIH goals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack demonstrated experience managing large collaborative networks. Insufficient detail on computational infrastructure and biostatistical capacity. Unclear coordination plan or timeline for supporting consortium members.
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