Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan – Exploratory Grants
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying brain and nervous system disorders across all ages. Eligible applicants include researchers at academic institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and private sector organizations. Applicants must have a degree in a health or science field and institutional affiliation. Both new and experienced investigators are welcome.
The grant supports exploratory and developmental research projects. These are typically smaller projects that test new ideas or develop preliminary data. Projects can focus on any neurological or neurodevelopmental disorder. International collaboration is permitted with proper institutional oversight.
Geographic scope includes the United States and U.S. territories. Foreign institutions may partner but must work through a U.S. eligible organization. The program emphasizes innovation and addresses gaps in current research understanding.
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Key dates
- Sep 26, 2025 Applications open
- Nov 15, 2026 Application deadline in 118 days
- May 15, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 15, 2027 Project start
Program description
The Fogarty International Center, with NINDS, NIMH, NIA, NIEHS, NICHD, NEI, NIDCD, and NCCIH, intends to continue support of neuro-health research through the Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan program. Awards will catalyze and strengthen collaborative research on the brain and nervous system that leverages the unique scientific contexts of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) not readily present in the United States and, subsequently, optimizes our potential to address health needs in the U.S. and globally. Research on the full spectrum of neuro-health across the lifespan is encouraged – including neurological, neuromuscular, sensory, neuropsychiatric, neuroinfectious, cognitive, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disease – and encompassing basic, clinical, translational, and implementation research approaches. Projects will foster collaborations between scientists in the U.S. and LMICs to drive scientific advancement and the development of innovative, cost-effective interventions spanning the care continuum –– from diagnosis through treatment and implementation.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (NIH version)
- Project Narrative (specific aims, background, research design, timeline)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Letters of Support (institutional commitment, collaborators)
- NIH Inclusion Enrollment Report
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Fogarty International Center (FIC) FIC Global Brain Research Program
- 📧 FIC-BRAIN@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.989 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$52,173,936
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$50,365,175
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$40,336,583
-
$38,729,911
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$34,754,915
-
$26,205,220
-
$20,151,900
-
$15,921,171
-
$14,502,752
-
$14,026,425
Top States by Funding
- NY 14 awards $138.7M
- IN 3 awards $68.1M
- TN 5 awards $58.7M
- CA 8 awards $45.4M
- IL 5 awards $36.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.989). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $67,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $69,732,021 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,429,341 |
FAQ
Who can apply to this exploratory grant?
Researchers at U.S. academic institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and qualifying private organizations. You must have a research degree and institutional affiliation.
What types of projects are funded?
Early-stage or developmental research on brain and nervous system disorders. Projects should test new ideas or gather preliminary data before pursuing larger grants.
Can international researchers apply?
U.S. institutions can lead with international collaborators. Foreign institutions alone are not eligible as primary applicants.
What is the typical funding range for exploratory grants?
These grants typically provide smaller amounts than R01 grants. Budget limits are generally lower to encourage innovation and risk-taking.
How competitive are these awards?
Moderately competitive. Strong preliminary data, novel approach, and clear significance improve chances. New investigators are encouraged to apply.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate a clear, focused research question addressing a gap in current knowledge. Exploratory grants reward innovation over extensive preliminary data.
- Build a realistic budget and timeline for your early-stage project. Show how findings will lead to a larger future grant.
- Include letters of support from your institution and collaborators. Institutional commitment strengthens applications for new investigators.
- Use plain language in your aims and abstract. Reviewers span multiple specialties and appreciate clear communication of significance.
- Address feasibility directly in your methods. Show you have access to necessary resources, participants, or equipment.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research that is too preliminary with no clear direction. Applicants often lack sufficient background or published evidence of the research problem.
Submitting a scaled-down R01 proposal instead of a true exploratory project. Reviewers expect innovative approaches, not full-scale studies.
Underestimating institutional support requirements. Weak or missing institutional endorsement signals lack of readiness.
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