Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 14 007
Apply for RFA NS 14 007
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.213 Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 93.361 Nursing Research 93.389 National Center for Research Resources 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research 93.867 Vision Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 17, 2013 and posted on Dec 17, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 24, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Independent school districts Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Special district governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- 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 Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH funding opportunity announcement RFA-NS-14-007, titled "BRAIN Initiative New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01)," is a cooperative agreement designed to accelerate the development and early proof-of-concept testing of next-generation neurotechnology. Its central focus is the BRAIN Initiative goal of understanding how neural circuits operate dynamically, in real time, across different parts of the nervous system. The program is specifically aimed at technologies that can both record neural activity and manipulate or modulate it, because measuring and controlling circuit activity are viewed as complementary capabilities needed to move from observation to causal understanding.
A key theme of the opportunity is scale and resolution at the same time. The FOA calls for exceptionally creative, potentially unconventional ideas that can capture neural signals with cellular resolution while also spanning multiple spatial and/or temporal scales. In practice, that means proposals might aim to record from large numbers of neurons while still resolving single-cell activity, or to integrate fine-scale cellular readouts with broader circuit-level measurements. The announcement also emphasizes the ability to work in any brain region and through the entire depth of the brain, highlighting the challenge of reaching and measuring deep structures rather than being limited to superficial cortex. Approaches that push beyond current constraints on penetration depth, signal quality, stability over time, and the ability to combine recording with intervention are strongly aligned with the stated goals.
This FOA is positioned as high-risk, high-reward. NIH signals that it expects some proposed research to be inherently risky because it is attempting to overcome major technical barriers, but it also underscores that success could be transformative for neuroscience. In other words, the program is not primarily about incremental improvements to existing tools; it is about enabling capabilities that would change what experiments are possible and, therefore, change the pace and direction of brain research. The emphasis on "proof of concept testing and development" indicates the projects should be aimed at demonstrating feasibility and establishing a clear pathway toward a working technology or approach, rather than focusing exclusively on basic discovery questions.
The award mechanism is a U01 cooperative agreement, which typically means NIH program staff will have substantial involvement during the project period compared with standard research grants. This structure is commonly used when the agency expects active coordination, milestone-driven progress, and frequent communication to keep technology development moving efficiently and aligned with program objectives. While the source text does not list specific budget caps per award in the excerpt provided, it does list an estimated total funding amount of $7,500,000 for the overall opportunity, suggesting a limited pool intended to support a set of projects selected for their innovation and potential impact.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across the public, private, academic, nonprofit, and governmental spectrum. Eligible applicants include small businesses; for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; public and private institutions of higher education; and multiple levels of government such as state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. The FOA also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), tribally controlled colleges and universities, and U.S. territories or possessions. In addition, it allows non-U.S. participation: foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed. It also notes participation by institutions serving specific communities, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.
Administrative details in the provided record show the opportunity was posted and created on December 17, 2013, with an original and current closing date of March 24, 2014, and an archive date of April 24, 2014. The opportunity category is discretionary, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the activity category is listed under "Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services," reflecting broad federal cataloging rather than the narrow scientific topic alone. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the opportunity, spanning neuroscience and related health research areas (including mental health, aging, vision research, substance use, and technological innovation), which reflects the cross-cutting nature of tools for recording and modulating neural activity across many NIH missions and institutes.
The official administering agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the full announcement is linked through the NIH grants guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-14-007.html. For access or technical issues related to the posting, the contact listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an early-stage, technology-forward BRAIN Initiative solicitation seeking bold, enabling methods for large-scale neural recording and causal modulation, with an explicit push toward cellular-level precision, multi-scale coverage, and whole-depth brain access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity called?
The opportunity is NIH FOA RFA-NS-14-007, titled "BRAIN Initiative New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01)."
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
Its purpose is to accelerate the development and early proof-of-concept testing of next-generation neurotechnology that enables large-scale recording of neural activity and the ability to manipulate or modulate that activity. The broader aim aligns with the BRAIN Initiative goal of understanding how neural circuits operate dynamically in real time across the nervous system.
What type of award is this?
This FOA uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism.
What does "cooperative agreement" (U01) imply for applicants and awardees?
A U01 typically involves substantial NIH program staff involvement during the project period compared with standard research grants. This structure is commonly used when NIH expects active coordination, milestone-driven progress, and frequent communication to keep technology development moving efficiently and aligned with program goals.
Is the focus on basic neuroscience discovery or technology development?
The emphasis is on technology development and proof-of-concept testing. Projects are expected to demonstrate feasibility and a clear path toward a working technology or approach, rather than focusing exclusively on basic discovery questions.
What scientific and technical capabilities are emphasized?
The FOA emphasizes technologies and approaches that can both (1) record neural activity and (2) manipulate or modulate neural activity. These are treated as complementary capabilities needed to move from observation toward causal understanding of neural circuit function.
What does the FOA mean by "large scale recording and modulation"?
Based on the description, "large scale" points to capturing neural signals from large numbers of neurons and/or across broader circuit contexts, while also pursuing fine-grained detail such as cellular (single-cell) resolution.
What is meant by combining "scale and resolution at the same time"?
The FOA calls for creative ideas that can capture neural signals with cellular resolution while also spanning multiple spatial and/or temporal scales. Examples in principle include recording from many neurons while still resolving single-cell activity, or integrating fine-scale cellular readouts with broader circuit-level measurements.
Does the FOA require work in specific brain regions?
No. The FOA highlights the ability to work in any brain region and through the entire depth of the brain, emphasizing approaches that are not limited to superficial cortex and that can reach deep structures.
Why does the FOA emphasize whole-depth brain access?
The description highlights deep-structure access as a key technical challenge. Approaches that push beyond current constraints on penetration depth, signal quality, stability over time, and the ability to combine recording with intervention are described as strongly aligned with the program goals.
Is this a high-risk, high-reward program?
Yes. NIH signals that it expects some proposed research to be inherently risky because it aims to overcome major technical barriers, but that success could be transformative for neuroscience. The program is positioned as enabling capabilities that would change what experiments are possible, rather than incremental improvements.
What stage of development is NIH looking for?
The opportunity is described as early-stage and technology-forward, centered on development and early proof-of-concept testing to establish feasibility and momentum toward a working technology.
What is the estimated total funding amount for the overall opportunity?
The provided record lists an estimated total funding amount of $7,500,000 for the overall opportunity.
Are there specific budget caps per award listed in the provided information?
No. The excerpt provided does not list specific budget caps per award, but it does provide the estimated total funding amount for the opportunity overall.
Who is the administering agency?
The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Where can applicants find the official announcement?
The official announcement is available via the NIH Grants Guide at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-14-007.html
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. The provided information lists eligible applicants as including small businesses; for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; and public and private institutions of higher education.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include multiple levels of government such as state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments and independent school districts.
Are Tribal governments and Tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), as well as tribally controlled colleges and universities.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The FOA allows non-U.S. participation: foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed.
Does the FOA encourage participation by institutions serving specific communities?
Yes. The text notes participation by HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions. It also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.
What is the opportunity category and funding instrument as listed in the provided record?
The opportunity category is listed as discretionary, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What is the activity category shown in the record?
The activity category is listed as "Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services," reflecting broad federal cataloging rather than the narrow scientific topic alone.
Are CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
Yes. The record notes multiple CFDA numbers spanning neuroscience and related health research areas (including mental health, aging, vision research, substance use, and technological innovation), reflecting the cross-cutting relevance of tools for recording and modulating neural activity across NIH missions.
When was this opportunity posted, and what are the key dates?
According to the provided record, the opportunity was posted and created on December 17, 2013. The original and current closing date is March 24, 2014. The archive date is April 24, 2014.
Is this opportunity still open based on the dates provided?
No. Based on the provided closing date (March 24, 2014) and archive date (April 24, 2014), the opportunity is archived and would not be open for new submissions under those dates.
What is the best overall way to describe what NIH is seeking here?
It is an early-stage, technology-forward BRAIN Initiative solicitation seeking bold, enabling methods for large-scale neural recording and causal modulation, with a push toward cellular-level precision, multi-scale coverage, and whole-depth brain access.
Who is listed for technical issues related to the posting?
For access or technical issues related to the posting, the contact listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster: FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: BRAIN Initiative Planning for Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R24)
Previous opportunity: BRAIN Initiative Transformative Approaches for Cell Type Classification in the Brain (U01)
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA NS 14 007) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative Planning for Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R24) Apply for RFA MH 14 217 Funding Number: RFA MH 14 217 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 14 008 Funding Number: RFA NS 14 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Analyze Cell Specific and Circuit Specific Processes in the Brain (U01) Apply for RFA MH 14 216 Funding Number: RFA MH 14 216 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Integrated Approaches to Understanding Circuit Function in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 14 009 Funding Number: RFA NS 14 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02) Apply for PA 14 045 Funding Number: PA 14 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP) R01 Apply for PAR 14 092 Funding Number: PAR 14 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Stage Development of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics, and Big Data Science (R43/R44) Apply for PA 14 154 Funding Number: PA 14 154 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Stage Development of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics, and Big Data Science (R01) Apply for PA 14 155 Funding Number: PA 14 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Extended Development, Hardening and Dissemination of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics and Big Data Science (R01) Apply for PA 14 156 Funding Number: PA 14 156 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Stage Development of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics, and Big Data Science (R41/R42) Apply for PA 14 157 Funding Number: PA 14 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomic Research Small Research Grant Program (R03) Apply for PA 14 277 Funding Number: PA 14 277 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomic Research Regular Research Program (R01) Apply for PA 14 276 Funding Number: PA 14 276 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genomic Research Exploratory/Developmental Research Program (R21) Apply for PA 14 278 Funding Number: PA 14 278 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Neuroscience Information Framework (U24) Apply for RFA DA 15 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Limited Competition for a Connectome Coordination Facility (R24) Apply for RFA MH 15 750 Funding Number: RFA MH 15 750 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21) Apply for PAR 14 331 Funding Number: PAR 14 331 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01) Apply for PAR 14 332 Funding Number: PAR 14 332 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Womens Health (K12) Apply for RFA OD 15 001 Funding Number: RFA OD 15 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Systems Science and Health in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R21) Apply for PAR 15 047 Funding Number: PAR 15 047 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Systems Science and Health in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R01) Apply for PAR 15 048 Funding Number: PAR 15 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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