Collaborative Opportunities for Multiple-disciplinary, Bold, and Innovative Neuroscience (COMBINE) (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking collaborative, multi-disciplinary support for innovative neuroscience projects. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes/Tribal organizations. The clinical trial track is optional; investigators may propose non-clinical projects. Applicants must be in the U.S. or eligible foreign institutions. Project scope spans basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience research with emphasis on bold, innovative approaches and team collaboration.
Institutions must have NIH-eligible status and grant administration capacity. Individual researchers cannot apply; applications come through institutions. International collaborators are permitted. Prior NIH funding is not required.
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Key dates
- Aug 28, 2025 Applications open
- Jun 23, 2026 Application deadline
- Apr 1, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications from highly-integrated transdisciplinary team science led by 3-6 PDs/PIs to pursue a single focused goal to overcome persistent barriers, challenge orthodoxies, achieve paradigm-shifts, or develop new foundational principles in neuroscience. Within five-years, the team must deliver outcomes significantly advancing the NINDS mission and transform knowledge and practice, ranging from fundamental neuroscience to human health. The research question(s) should be of sufficient scope and complexity to necessitate an innovative convergence of disciplines, expertise, and coordination, beyond the scope of traditional R01 or Program Project/Center grant mechanisms. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the RM1 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of neuroscience and neurology are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations from newly formed or established teams, combining expertise in various fields of basic, clinical, and translational domains of neuroscience will be encouraged, and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (team member commitments)
- Institutional Certifications and Assurances
Program contact
- 👤 NINDS Team Science Group
- 📧 NINDSteamscience@nih.gov
- 📞 240-328-3447
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$56,144,651
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$40,959,789
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$35,655,349
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$35,655,116
-
$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
-
$32,294,153
-
$32,234,840
-
$31,739,294
-
$27,282,286
Top States by Funding
- MA 5 awards $123.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- CA 4 awards $101.3M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MI 3 awards $85.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who can apply for COMBINE?
Academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, state/local governments, and tribal organizations can apply. Individual investigators cannot apply; the institution submits on behalf of the research team.
Is clinical trial experience required?
No. The clinical trial component is optional. Non-clinical neuroscience projects are eligible and encouraged.
What makes a competitive COMBINE application?
Bold, innovative science with genuine multi-disciplinary collaboration stands out. Clear mechanisms for team integration and novel approaches strengthen applications.
When are deadlines?
Opening date is August 28, 2025. Check NIH grants.gov for specific deadline dates, as multiple submission windows may exist.
What is the typical funding range?
Funding varies by institution type and project scope. Check NIH program details for current budget expectations and contact program officers for guidance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize genuine collaboration, not just co-investigators listing. Show how disciplines integrate and create new science.
- Develop your innovation story early. COMBINE prioritizes bold, risky approaches that standard grants might reject.
- Engage a NIH program officer before submission. They clarify expectations and can improve your framing.
- Build a realistic multi-year plan with clear milestones. Reviewers want confidence teams can execute complex projects.
- Address team dynamics and decision-making processes. Explain how your group handles conflicts and integrates diverse expertise.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or surface-level collaboration; team members work separately on parallel projects rather than genuinely integrated research. Incremental science framed as bold and innovative without sufficient justification or risk tolerance. Insufficient detail on institutional support and resources for multi-disciplinary coordination.
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