Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 16 815
Apply for RFA MH 16 815
- The HHS-NIH11 in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - Mechanisms and Dose/Response Relationships for Targeted CNS Effects (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 24, 2015 and posted on Nov 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 18, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: 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/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - Mechanisms and Dose/Response Relationships for Targeted CNS Effects (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-16-815) is an NIH funding announcement under the broader BRAIN Initiative that supports research aimed at clarifying how currently available non-invasive neuromodulation technologies influence brain circuitry. The central idea is to move beyond simply observing whether a stimulation approach changes behavior or symptoms and instead pin down the underlying neural mechanisms: what circuits are being engaged, how those effects propagate through networks, how long they last, and which biological or biophysical features explain variability across individuals or conditions. By focusing on mechanisms, the program is designed to build a more solid scientific foundation for both basic neuroscience uses and clinical applications.
A major emphasis of the announcement is establishing dose/response relationships for non-invasive stimulation. In practical terms, that means connecting stimulation "dose" parameters (such as intensity, frequency, pulse width, waveform, train duration, session count, electrode or coil placement, and timing relative to brain state or task) to measurable "response" outcomes in the central nervous system. The goal is to understand not only whether stimulation produces an effect, but how the effect scales with parameter choices, where the effect is expressed in the brain, how specific or off-target it is, and what markers can be used to predict or monitor engagement of the intended circuits. This kind of work can help define principled dosing rules, improve reproducibility, and reduce trial-and-error approaches that often limit translation to real-world neuroscience and clinical settings.
The opportunity uses the R01 grant mechanism, indicating it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects with enough scope to deliver definitive mechanistic insights. The announcement is issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (listed as HHS-NIH11 in the source data) and falls within health-related funding activity categories. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the FOA (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting that NIH support may align with several institutes or program areas connected to neuroscience, mental health, neurological disorders, and related biomedical research.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations that commonly apply to NIH research funding. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments). The announcement also allows Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, with an "Others" category noted for additional eligibility clarifications in the full FOA text. This breadth is consistent with NIH’s interest in supporting mechanistic neuromodulation research wherever the expertise and infrastructure exist, including academic labs, medical centers, and certain industry or translational research environments.
Key administrative details in the source data indicate the FOA was posted and created on November 24, 2015, with an application closing date of February 18, 2016 (both the original and current closing date are the same in the record). The funding instrument type is listed as a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary. The record does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which often means applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget guidance, anticipated funding levels, project period expectations, and any institute-specific constraints or review considerations.
Overall, the program is best understood as an NIH push to make non-invasive neuromodulation more scientifically precise: identifying what these devices are actually doing in the brain, under what conditions they do it, and how stimulation parameters translate into targeted, measurable CNS effects. By sharpening mechanistic understanding and dose-response knowledge, the FOA aims to enable better-designed neuroscience experiments and more rational development of clinical interventions that rely on non-invasive stimulation to alter brain circuit function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - Mechanisms and Dose/Response Relationships for Targeted CNS Effects (R01)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is RFA-MH-16-815.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opportunity issued through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), referenced in the source data as HHS-NIH11.
Is this opportunity part of a larger program?
Yes. It is issued under the broader NIH BRAIN Initiative.
What type of grant mechanism is used?
The FOA uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects.
What is the main scientific focus of this FOA?
The FOA supports research aimed at clarifying how currently available non-invasive neuromodulation technologies influence brain circuitry, with an emphasis on identifying underlying neural mechanisms rather than only reporting behavioral or symptom changes.
What does the FOA mean by "mechanisms" of non-invasive neuromodulation?
Based on the description provided, "mechanisms" refers to understanding what brain circuits are engaged by stimulation, how effects propagate through networks, how long they persist, and which biological or biophysical factors explain variability across individuals or conditions.
Why does the FOA emphasize moving beyond observing behavior or symptoms?
The announcement is designed to build a more solid scientific foundation by pinpointing what the stimulation is doing in the brain (circuit engagement and network effects), not only whether a change is observed in behavior or symptoms.
What is meant by "dose/response relationships" in this context?
"Dose/response" refers to linking stimulation dose parameters to measurable central nervous system (CNS) responses, with the goal of understanding how effects scale with parameter choices, where they occur in the brain, how specific versus off-target they are, and what markers can predict or monitor circuit engagement.
What kinds of stimulation parameters are considered part of the "dose"?
The description lists dose parameters such as intensity, frequency, pulse width, waveform, train duration, session count, electrode or coil placement, and timing relative to brain state or task.
What kinds of outcomes are considered part of the "response"?
The response is described as measurable outcomes in the CNS, including where effects are expressed in the brain, how specific or off-target they are, and markers that can predict or monitor engagement of intended circuits.
What are the intended benefits of establishing dose/response relationships?
According to the description, this work can help define principled dosing rules, improve reproducibility, and reduce trial-and-error approaches that limit translation to real-world neuroscience and clinical settings.
Is the FOA focused on currently available non-invasive neuromodulation technologies?
Yes. The opportunity specifically highlights clarifying how currently available non-invasive neuromodulation technologies influence brain circuitry.
Does the source information specify an award ceiling?
No. The record does not specify an award ceiling.
Does the source information state the expected number of awards?
No. The record does not list an expected number of awards.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is listed as a grant.
What is the opportunity category?
The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.
When was the FOA posted/created?
The source data indicates the FOA was posted and created on November 24, 2015.
What is the application closing date?
The application closing date listed is February 18, 2016. The record shows the original and current closing date as the same.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and government entities at multiple levels (state, county, city/township, and special district governments). It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. An "Others" category is noted for additional clarifications in the full FOA.
Are both nonprofit and for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes state governments, county governments, city/township governments, and special district governments, as well as Native American tribal governments (federally recognized).
Does the FOA include tribal eligibility?
Yes. The eligibility list includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867.
What do multiple CFDA numbers imply?
Based on the provided description, the multiple CFDA numbers reflect that NIH support may align with several institutes or program areas connected to neuroscience, mental health, neurological disorders, and related biomedical research.
What is the overall goal of the program described in this FOA?
The program aims to make non-invasive neuromodulation more scientifically precise by identifying what these approaches are doing in the brain, under what conditions they do it, and how stimulation parameters translate into targeted, measurable CNS effects.
How does this FOA relate to basic neuroscience and clinical applications?
The description states the FOA is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation for both basic neuroscience uses and clinical applications by improving mechanistic understanding and dose-response knowledge.
Where should applicants look for budget guidance, project period expectations, or institute-specific constraints?
The record indicates these details are not specified in the source data and notes that applicants would need to consult the full FOA text for budget guidance, anticipated funding levels, project period expectations, and any institute-specific constraints or review considerations.
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|---|
| BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Analyze Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01) Apply for RFA MH 16 775 Funding Number: RFA MH 16 775 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| BRAIN Initiative: SBIR Direct to Phase II Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (U44) Apply for RFA NS 16 018 Funding Number: RFA NS 16 018 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Education and Health: New Frontiers (R01) Apply for PAR 16 080 Funding Number: PAR 16 080 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Basic Biopsychosocial Mechanisms and Processes in the Management of Chronic Conditions (R21) Apply for PAR 16 095 Funding Number: PAR 16 095 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Obesity Policy Evaluation Research (R01) Apply for PA 16 165 Funding Number: PA 16 165 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01) Apply for PA 16 190 Funding Number: PA 16 190 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01) Apply for RFA AI 16 040 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 040 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01) Apply for RFA AI 16 039 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 039 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (K12) Apply for RFA OD 16 013 Funding Number: RFA OD 16 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Foundations of Non-Invasive Functional Human Brain Imaging and Recording - Bridging Scales and Modalities (R01) Apply for RFA MH 17 235 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 235 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Large-Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) Apply for RFA EY 17 001 Funding Number: RFA EY 17 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects - eTargetedBCP (R21) Apply for RFA NS 17 015 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 015 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Administrative Supplements for Research on Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 098 Funding Number: PA 17 098 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01) Apply for RFA NS 18 008 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 008 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (U01) Apply for RFA NS 18 010 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 010 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 18 029 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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