Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 16 810
Apply for RFA MH 16 810
- 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 - New Tools and Techniques for Spatiotemporal Precision(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 funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - New Tools and Techniques for Spatiotemporal Precision (R01)" (RFA-MH-16-810) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant announcement under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It uses the R01 mechanism, which is NIH's standard research project grant intended to support well-defined, hypothesis-driven or technology-development research programs with enough scope to produce a meaningful advance. The overall aim of this FOA is to accelerate progress in non-invasive neuromodulation, specifically by improving how precisely researchers and clinicians can influence neural activity in both space (targeting specific brain circuits or regions) and time (controlling when and how neural activity is modulated). The call sits under the broader BRAIN Initiative, reflecting an emphasis on toolmaking and enabling technologies that can transform neuroscience research and, ultimately, therapeutic approaches.
The FOA is organized around two related but clearly separated priorities. The first priority is the development and testing of genuinely novel neuromodulation tools and methods that move beyond existing variations of electromagnetic stimulation. In practical terms, NIH is signaling that it is not looking for minor tweaks to current transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) approaches in this first track, but rather new physical or biological modalities, new targeting strategies, or new mechanistic approaches that could plausibly deliver better selectivity, deeper reach, or finer temporal control than what is currently achievable. The key point is that proposed innovations should represent more than an incremental advance over the familiar magnetic and electrical paradigms, and should be supported by a plan to develop and rigorously test the new method rather than only theorize about it.
The second priority area focuses on optimizing existing electrical and magnetic stimulation methods. This track is meant for applicants who are working within the current mainstream non-invasive stimulation families (for example, electrical or magnetic stimulation) but who can substantially improve performance through better hardware, improved stimulation waveforms, refined targeting, modeling, control algorithms, closed-loop strategies, or other engineering and experimental refinements. The intent is to encourage work that makes established approaches more precise and reliable, potentially reducing variability across subjects, increasing focality, improving depth targeting, sharpening timing control, or strengthening the link between stimulation parameters and measurable neural outcomes. While the first track is about new modalities, the second track is about making current modalities work better and more predictably, especially in ways that enhance spatiotemporal precision.
In terms of eligibility, the FOA is broadly open to a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and certain tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories), private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The listing also includes an "Others" category with direction to consult the FOA's additional eligibility language for clarification, which typically covers edge cases such as foreign components, consortia, or other organizational structures depending on NIH policy at the time of the announcement.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on November 24, 2015, with a closing date of February 18, 2016 (both the original and current closing dates match, indicating no extension in the provided record). The sponsoring agency is identified as HHS-NIH11, which corresponds to NIH within HHS. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with this listing (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting the way NIH opportunities can be cross-referenced across institutes, centers, or program areas that may co-fund or be relevant to the scientific scope. The record does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which suggests those details were either not specified in the summarized dataset or were defined in the full FOA text rather than the listing excerpt.
Taken together, this FOA is best understood as a targeted BRAIN Initiative push to (1) create new, non-invasive ways of modulating the brain that are not simply small extensions of existing electromagnetic stimulation, and (2) substantially improve the precision and performance of the electrical and magnetic neuromodulation tools already in widespread use. The unifying theme is spatiotemporal precision, meaning proposals should be oriented toward demonstrable improvements in how accurately stimulation can be delivered to the right neural targets at the right times, with careful development and testing to show that the approach meaningfully advances current capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and identifier of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - New Tools and Techniques for Spatiotemporal Precision (R01)" and is identified as RFA-MH-16-810.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The sponsoring agency is listed as HHS-NIH11.
What grant mechanism does this announcement use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, NIH's standard research project grant intended to support well-defined, hypothesis-driven or technology-development research programs with enough scope to produce a meaningful advance.
What is the overall goal of this FOA?
The overall aim is to accelerate progress in non-invasive neuromodulation by improving spatiotemporal precision, meaning improving how precisely neural activity can be influenced in space (targeting specific brain circuits or regions) and in time (controlling when and how neural activity is modulated).
How does this opportunity fit within the BRAIN Initiative?
The FOA sits under the broader BRAIN Initiative and emphasizes toolmaking and enabling technologies intended to transform neuroscience research and, ultimately, therapeutic approaches.
What scientific area does the FOA focus on?
It focuses on non-invasive neuromodulation, with a specific emphasis on methods and tools that improve the ability to target neural activity accurately and control stimulation timing with greater precision.
How is the FOA organized?
The FOA is organized around two related but clearly separated priorities: (1) developing and testing genuinely novel neuromodulation tools and methods beyond existing electromagnetic stimulation variations, and (2) optimizing existing electrical and magnetic stimulation methods to substantially improve performance and precision.
What is the first priority area about?
The first priority area supports the development and testing of genuinely novel neuromodulation tools and methods that go beyond existing variations of electromagnetic stimulation. NIH is signaling it is not looking for minor tweaks to current transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) approaches in this track.
What kinds of projects fit the first priority area?
Projects proposing new physical or biological modalities, new targeting strategies, or new mechanistic approaches that could plausibly deliver better selectivity, deeper reach, or finer temporal control than currently achievable. Proposals should include a plan to develop and rigorously test the new method rather than only theorize about it.
Does the first priority area include small improvements to TMS or tES?
Based on the description provided, NIH is specifically signaling that it is not seeking minor tweaks to current TMS or tES approaches in the first track; the expectation is more than incremental advances beyond familiar magnetic and electrical paradigms.
What is the second priority area about?
The second priority area focuses on optimizing existing electrical and magnetic stimulation methods (for example, electrical or magnetic stimulation) through substantial improvements such as better hardware, improved stimulation waveforms, refined targeting, modeling, control algorithms, closed-loop strategies, or other engineering and experimental refinements.
What kinds of improvements are encouraged in the second priority area?
Improvements that make established approaches more precise and reliable, including reducing variability across subjects, increasing focality, improving depth targeting, sharpening timing control, or strengthening the link between stimulation parameters and measurable neural outcomes.
What does "spatiotemporal precision" mean in this FOA?
Spatiotemporal precision refers to improving both (a) spatial targeting (delivering stimulation to the right brain regions, circuits, or neural targets) and (b) temporal control (delivering stimulation at the right times and with better control over the dynamics of modulation).
Is the unifying theme of both priority areas the same?
Yes. The unifying theme is spatiotemporal precision. Whether proposing new modalities or improving existing electrical/magnetic approaches, proposals should be oriented toward demonstrable improvements in accurate targeting and timing, supported by careful development and testing.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public or state-controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are tribal governments included in the eligibility list?
Yes. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) are explicitly included, along with certain tribal organizations.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status?
No. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the caveat in the provided summary that these categories apply as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories.
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The listing includes an "Others" category directing applicants to consult the FOA's additional eligibility language for clarification. In NIH contexts, this often addresses edge cases such as foreign components, consortia, or other organizational structures depending on NIH policy at the time of the announcement.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on November 24, 2015.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date was February 18, 2016. The record indicates the original and current closing dates match, suggesting no extension in the provided record.
Are award amounts or an award ceiling provided in the listing excerpt?
No. The summarized record does not provide an award ceiling.
Does the listing state how many awards NIH expected to make?
No. The summarized record does not provide the expected number of awards.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listing includes multiple CFDA numbers: 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867.
Why are multiple CFDA numbers associated with a single NIH opportunity?
In NIH listings, multiple CFDA numbers can be associated with an opportunity to reflect cross-referencing across institutes, centers, or program areas that may co-fund or be relevant to the scientific scope.
What is NIH signaling about the level of innovation required?
The FOA emphasizes that innovations should represent more than an incremental advance. For the novel-tools track, NIH is indicating it is not seeking minor variations of familiar electromagnetic stimulation, and for the optimization track, the improvements should be substantial and tied to better precision and reliability.
Is rigorous testing expected, or are conceptual proposals sufficient?
Rigorously developing and testing the proposed approach is emphasized. The description notes that proposals should include a plan to develop and rigorously test the new method rather than only theorize about it.
What outcomes or benefits are highlighted as desirable improvements?
Desired improvements include better selectivity, deeper reach, finer temporal control, increased focality, improved depth targeting, reduced variability across subjects, improved timing control, and stronger linkage between stimulation parameters and measurable neural outcomes.
How should applicants decide between the two priority areas?
Applicants proposing genuinely novel, non-invasive neuromodulation modalities or mechanistic approaches beyond standard electromagnetic stimulation align with the first priority area. Applicants working within established electrical or magnetic stimulation families (like TMS or tES) but aiming for substantial performance and precision gains through optimization align with the second priority area.
What is the simplest way to summarize what NIH is funding here?
This FOA is a targeted BRAIN Initiative push to (1) create new non-invasive neuromodulation approaches that are not simply small extensions of existing electromagnetic stimulation and (2) substantially improve the precision and performance of existing electrical and magnetic neuromodulation tools, with a shared focus on spatiotemporal precision.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large-Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 16 006 Funding Number: RFA NS 16 006 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - Mechanisms and Dose/Response Relationships for Targeted CNS Effects (R01) Apply for RFA MH 16 815 Funding Number: RFA MH 16 815 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, 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 (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 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (U44) Apply for RFA NS 16 011 Funding Number: RFA NS 16 011 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 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 |
| Education and Health: New Frontiers (R03) Apply for PAR 16 079 Funding Number: PAR 16 079 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Education and Health: New Frontiers (R21) Apply for PAR 16 078 Funding Number: PAR 16 078 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| 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 |
| Administrative Supplements for Research on Sleep Disturbances and Impact on Chronic Pain (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 16 164 Funding Number: PA 16 164 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| 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 |
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