BRAIN Initiative Development, Optimization, and Validation of Novel Tools and Technologies for Neuroscience Research (STTR) (R41/R42) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the PAR-15-090 funding opportunity?

PAR-15-090 is an NIH funding opportunity under the BRAIN Initiative titled "Development, Optimization, and Validation of Novel Tools and Technologies for Neuroscience Research (STTR) (R41/R42)." It is designed to support small businesses, working in a formal partnership with a research institution, to create and advance next-generation neuroscience tools and technologies.

Which agency administers this program?

This is a discretionary grant program administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the NIH BRAIN Initiative umbrella.

What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?

The opportunity uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism and supports applications under the R41/R42 activity codes.

What is the main goal of this STTR opportunity?

The program aims to move promising scientific and engineering innovations from early proof-of-concept into more mature, usable neuroscience technologies by combining the strengths of a small business and an academic or non-profit research partner.

Who is the program intended to support?

The program is explicitly aimed at small businesses. Because it is an STTR opportunity, it expects collaboration between a small business concern and a partnering research institution to align product-oriented development with scientific and technical validation.

Is a partnership with a research institution required?

Yes. As an STTR opportunity, projects are expected to involve a formal partnership between a small business and a research institution.

What kinds of projects does the FOA prioritize?

The FOA prioritizes the development and improvement of tools and technologies that can transform how researchers study the brain, especially innovations that push technical boundaries, demonstrate feasibility through proof-of-concept testing, and progress toward robust, manufacturable, and distributable solutions.

What are the three major development priorities highlighted in the FOA?

The FOA highlights three major priorities: (1) tools enabling detailed analysis of complex neural circuits and cellular interactions underlying brain function; (2) proof-of-concept testing and development of new approaches for large-scale recording and manipulation of neural activity; and (3) iterative refinement with the end-user community, with a long-term goal of manufacturing scale-up and reliable dissemination.

What does the FOA mean by tools for analyzing complex neural circuits?

It refers to technologies that help researchers map connections, characterize how different cell types communicate, and/or integrate multiple streams of biological data to explain neural circuit behavior and cellular interactions related to brain function.

What does "large-scale recording and manipulation of neural activity" mean in this context?

It points to technologies intended to observe and influence neural activity at or near cellular resolution, across multiple spatial and/or temporal scales, in any brain region and throughout the entire depth of the brain.

What technical capabilities are emphasized for neural activity tools?

The FOA emphasizes the ability to capture neural signals broadly (large-scale) while retaining fine detail (cell-level or close to it), and to operate in ways that are meaningful across both space (where activity occurs) and time (how activity changes and coordinates).

Why does the FOA emphasize iterative refinement with end users?

The FOA stresses iterative refinement with the end-user community to ensure the resulting tools are practical for routine neuroscience research, rather than remaining one-off prototypes. The long-term intent is to support manufacturing scale-up and reliable dissemination.

Does the FOA focus only on prototypes, or also on productization?

It goes beyond one-off prototypes by emphasizing refinement, manufacturing scale-up, and dissemination so that successful tools can become broadly usable and sustainable products adopted as routine research methods.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply as applicants?

No. Foreign (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply as applicants for this opportunity.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.

Are any foreign components allowed at all?

The announcement notes that foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) may be allowed in some circumstances. This generally implies discrete parts of the work could potentially be performed abroad if appropriately justified and permissible under NIH policy.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on January 16, 2015.

What was the closing date for applications?

The original (and final listed) closing date was January 5, 2018.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on February 5, 2018, indicating it is no longer active.

What research areas or domains can these tools apply to?

The opportunity spans multiple NIH-related research areas reflected by the listed CFDA program numbers, including neuroscience and neurological disorders, mental health, aging, drug abuse, alcohol research, and communication disorders. This signals the tools may be relevant across many neuroscience domains rather than being limited to a single disease area or specialty.

What is the overall "best read" of the announcement for potential applicants?

It is best read as an invitation for small businesses to develop enabling neuroscience technologies that can become widely adopted research platforms, with an emphasis on technical innovation (scale, resolution, depth, versatility), proof-of-concept demonstration, iterative user-driven refinement, and progression toward robust, manufacturable, and distributable solutions.