Forecast for BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Specialized Projects for Scalable Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities developing scalable technologies for mapping brain connectivity. Applicants must propose U01 Specialized Projects with distinct capabilities complementing existing BRAIN CONNECTS awards. Projects focus on any aspect of the connectivity mapping pipeline: tissue processing, imaging, alignment, segmentation, annotation, error correction, and data integration. Research may use human, non-human primate, or mouse brains, with other species allowed if well-justified. Clinical trials are not permitted under this mechanism.
Key dates
- Aug 26, 2024 Applications open
- Sep 1, 2025 Application deadline
- Jun 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative (https://braininitiative.nih.gov/) intends to reissue Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) RFA-NS-22-049, BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Specialized Projects for Scalable Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive applications. The NOFO is expected to be published in June 2025, with an anticipated application receipt date in September 2025. This NOFO is a reissue of RFA-NS-22-049 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-22-049.html), which supported U01 Specialized Projects developing scalable technologies with a goal of brainwide mapping of neural connectivity. The previous NOFO was issued together with two companion NOFOs (now expired) supporting UM1 Comprehensive Centers to map neuronal projections in human and non-human primate (RFA-NS-22-047) and synaptic connections in mouse (RFA-NS-22-048). Applications for the upcoming reissued U01 Specialized Projects NOFO are especially encouraged to offer distinct capabilities and competencies complementing existing BRAIN CONNECTS awards, and potential applicants are encouraged to use NIH RePORTER (https://reporter.nih.gov/) to retrieve information on awards from each of the three previous NOFOs. This NOFO will solicit projects developing scalable methods for mapping brain connectivity, applied to any aspect of the pipeline, from tissue processing to imaging, alignment, segmentation and annotation, error correction, and integration into the larger neuroscience data environment. Although human, non-human primate and mouse are the focus of the BRAIN CONNECTS program, Specialized Projects may use other species for validation if well justified. Awards from this NOFO will be integrated into the BRAIN CONNECTS Network, a coordinated effort of awards from the previous three NOFOs aimed at developing the research capacity and technical capabilities to generate wiring diagrams that can span entire brains across multiple scales. The overarching objective of the first five years of the program is to develop these capabilities through innovation and iterative engineering of technologies including tissue processing, imaging, data analysis, dissemination, and application to fundamental questions of nervous system function.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (SF-424 or equivalent NIH form)
- Project narrative/proposal document
- Budget and budget justification
- Biosketches of key personnel
- Letters of support/collaboration
- Data management plan
- Vertebrate animal use documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Kari Johnson, PhD Edmund Talley, PhD National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- 📧 BRAIN-CONNECTS-Inquiries@nih.gov
- 📞 301-496-1917
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
-
$82,572,681
-
$67,362,785
-
$62,646,087
-
$56,144,651
-
$45,268,737
-
$40,959,789
-
$35,655,349
-
$35,655,116
-
$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
Top States by Funding
- MA 6 awards $186.5M
- CA 4 awards $129.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MN 2 awards $99.5M
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 can apply for this grant?
Research institutions and universities can apply. Applicants should offer distinct capabilities complementing existing BRAIN CONNECTS awards. Check NIH RePORTER to see what prior awards funded.
What is the deadline and timeline?
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) publishes June 2025 with application due September 1, 2025. This is a fixed, single deadline.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects developing scalable technologies for brain connectivity mapping. This includes tissue processing, imaging, data analysis, and integration into neuroscience data environments.
Can I use species other than human or non-human primate?
Mouse is the primary species focus. Other species may be used for validation if well-justified in your application.
Are clinical trials eligible?
No. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this U01 mechanism.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review existing BRAIN CONNECTS awards in NIH RePORTER before applying. Position your project as complementary, not duplicative.
- Emphasize scalability and technical innovation in your technology development approach.
- Plan for integration into the larger BRAIN CONNECTS Network and neuroscience data environment from the start.
- Clarify which pipeline components your project addresses (processing, imaging, segmentation, data integration, etc.).
- Build strong collaborative teams with expertise spanning multiple technical domains.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications that duplicate capabilities already funded by existing BRAIN CONNECTS awards lose competitiveness. Lack of clear technical innovation and scalability in the proposed technology weakens proposals. Insufficient detail on how the project integrates into the broader BRAIN CONNECTS Network and data ecosystem can hurt scoring.
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