Initiative: Preclinical Proof of Concept for Novel Recording and Modulation Technologies in the Human CNS (R18 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research institutions seeking NIH funding to develop novel technologies for recording from and modulating activity in the human central nervous system (CNS), with a focus on preclinical proof of concept. Eligible applicants include research institutions such as universities, nonprofit research organizations, hospitals, and other scientific institutions that can conduct rigorous preclinical research. The R18 mechanism is specifically designed for exploratory/developmental projects, and clinical trials are explicitly not permitted under this award. Projects must advance brain recording and modulation technologies toward eventual human application, demonstrating technical feasibility and preliminary safety/efficacy in preclinical models before clinical translation.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
Awarded activities will facilitate the translation of novel recording and modulation technologies that can be used to treat and/or diagnose central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders and to better understand the human CNS, from proof of concept up to the stage of readiness for first in human (FIH) studies. Technologies may incorporate any signal modality (e.g., electrical, optical, magnetic, acoustic) or a combination thereof. Diverse team-based applications that integrate appropriate domains of expertise are encouraged.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424 R&R)
- Project Narrative (specific aims, significance, innovation, approach, and preliminary data)
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Biosketch for all key personnel (current CV in NIH format)
- Institutional commitment letter and resources documentation
- Letters of support from collaborators (if applicable)
- Preclinical safety and efficacy data summary
- Timeline and milestones for technology validation
- References and literature citations
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$204,359,786
-
$128,078,833
-
$126,585,435
-
$99,478,296
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,351,755
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,578,651
-
$50,952,037
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 4 awards $141.1M
- MD 2 awards $128.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this BRAIN Initiative R18 grant?
Research institutions, universities, and nonprofit organizations with established infrastructure for neurotechnology research can apply. Individual researchers should apply through their affiliated institution. Foreign institutions may be eligible depending on specific NIH guidelines for this funding opportunity.
What type of projects are supported?
Projects that develop novel recording and modulation technologies for the human CNS at the preclinical stage. This includes technology development, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept work. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this R18 mechanism.
What is the typical funding range for R18 awards?
NIH R18 awards typically range from $300,000 to $500,000 per year, though amounts vary by institute. Check the specific funding opportunity announcement for exact caps.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for this funding cycle is January 28, 2027. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on that date through NIH's electronic submission system (eRA Commons).
How competitive is this grant?
BRAIN Initiative funding is highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 10-20%, so applications must demonstrate strong innovation, rigorous preclinical design, and clear milestones toward clinical translation.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly distinguish your technology from existing alternatives and explain why your approach is innovative. Review recent BRAIN Initiative awards to understand the current competitive landscape.
- Develop a detailed preclinical validation plan with specific, measurable milestones. NIH reviewers will scrutinize your feasibility timeline and technical risk mitigation strategies carefully.
- Emphasize the path to human application early and often. Explain how preclinical results will directly support eventual clinical utility while acknowledging current barriers to translation.
- Assemble a multidisciplinary team with expertise in neuroscience, bioengineering, and relevant preclinical models. Demonstrate complementary skills and clear role definitions for all key personnel.
- Budget conservatively and justify every major expense. R18 awards have limited funds, so prioritize essential experiments and explain why preliminary data is insufficient to move forward without this support.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often underestimate the technical risk and fail to propose adequate validation strategies for preclinical proof of concept. Additionally, many proposals focus too heavily on basic neuroscience discovery without sufficiently articulating the translational pathway to clinical use, which is central to the BRAIN Initiative's mission. Finally, incomplete preliminary data or unclear demonstration of technical feasibility frequently leads to rejection.
Similar grants
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization- Next Generation Sensor Technology Development (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) — 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
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN BRAIN Initiative: Reagent Resources for Brain Cell Type-Specific Access to Broaden Distribution of Enabling Technologies for Neuroscience (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health