BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Feb 8, 2027, 111 days left.

Opportunity number	RFA-MH-26-170
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Education, Health, Income security and social services
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867
Posted	Nov 15, 2024
Closes	Feb 8, 2027 (111 days left)
Add the deadline to	Google Calendar

Who can apply

State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see the eligibility notes)

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.

Description

The purpose of this Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is to encourage applications that will develop and validate novel tools to facilitate the detailed analysis of complex circuits and provide insights into cellular interactions that underlie brain function. The new tools and technologies should inform and/or exploit cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity.

Plans for validating the utility of the tool/technology will be an essential feature of a successful application. The development of new genetic and non-genetic tools for delivering genes, proteins and chemicals to cells of interest or approaches that are expected to target specific cell types and/or circuits in the nervous system with greater precision and sensitivity than currently established methods are encouraged.

Tools that can be used in a number of species/model organisms rather than those restricted to a single species are highly desired. Applications that provide approaches that break through existing technical barriers to substantially improve current capabilities are highly encouraged.

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Education grants right now

There are 109 open federal grants in education that small businesses may apply for; 7 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $424,500. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health and DOC NOAA - ERA Production. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1064 days; this one is open for 815 days.

Who has won this program before

Yale Univ $67.5 million · from Jul 1, 2015
NEW York University $64.3 million · from Jul 7, 2010
University Of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill $49.7 million · from Jul 1, 2007
Baylor College Of Medicine $47.8 million · from Sep 28, 2011
Jackson Laboratory $47.2 million · from Sep 16, 2011

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.