Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 18 500
Apply for RFA MH 18 500
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (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.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-08-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01) (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-18-500) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to support research that tackles major ethical questions raised by rapid progress in brain science and neurotechnology. It sits under the broader NIH BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies), which is focused on enabling transformative discoveries that can significantly improve understanding of how the human brain works. This particular FOA is aligned with the BRAIN 2025: A Scientific Vision plan and is intended to ensure that ethics research develops alongside, and can be integrated with, the scientific and technological advances being funded across the initiative.
The central purpose of the opportunity is to fund projects that address "core ethical issues" connected to research involving the human brain and to the emerging tools and capabilities coming out of BRAIN-supported work. In practical terms, this means supporting scholarship that can anticipate, analyze, and propose responses to ethical challenges created by new neurotechnologies (for example, technologies that can record brain activity in increasingly detailed ways, stimulate or modulate brain circuits, or potentially enable new forms of brain-computer interaction). The FOA emphasizes that the ethics work it supports should not be isolated from neuroscience, but instead should be complementary and potentially integrative with ongoing, high-impact neuroscience discoveries. In other words, the program is looking for research that can meaningfully inform how neurotechnology is developed, tested, governed, and translated into real-world settings.
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for discrete, hypothesis-driven or conceptually rigorous research projects with clearly defined aims and methods. The listed award ceiling is $300,000 (as provided in the source data). The activity category is listed broadly under education, health, income security, and social services, reflecting the cross-cutting public impact of ethics research in neurotechnology, including implications for health research practices, patient and participant protections, and societal outcomes. Although the FOA description does not enumerate specific topic areas in the excerpt provided, the framing makes clear that NIH sought work addressing ethical implications of advances in neurotechnology and brain science, especially those arising from innovations promoted by the BRAIN Initiative.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply for NIH funding, spanning public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to encourage participation from a wide range of communities and institutional contexts, which is especially relevant for ethics research where cultural, community, legal, and social perspectives can directly shape both the questions asked and the usefulness of the results.
Key administrative details from the source include the sponsoring agency (NIH), the original closing date (December 7, 2017), and the creation date of the announcement (August 25, 2017). Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the opportunity (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866), indicating that it aligns with several NIH programs or institutes/centers connected to neuroscience and mental health-related research portfolios. Overall, the grant can be understood as a targeted investment in ethics research that keeps pace with cutting-edge neurotechnology, aiming to help the scientific community and society navigate issues that arise as the ability to measure, interpret, and influence the brain becomes more powerful and more widely used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "The BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MH-18-500.
Which agency sponsors this grant opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What broader initiative is this FOA part of?
This FOA sits under the NIH BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies), which supports transformative discoveries to improve understanding of how the human brain works.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to support research that addresses major ethical questions raised by rapid progress in brain science and neurotechnology, with a focus on "core ethical issues" connected to research involving the human brain and emerging tools and capabilities coming out of BRAIN-supported work.
How is this opportunity connected to the BRAIN 2025 plan?
The opportunity is aligned with the BRAIN 2025: A Scientific Vision plan and is intended to ensure ethics research develops alongside, and can be integrated with, scientific and technological advances funded across the BRAIN Initiative.
What kind of research does NIH want to support through this FOA?
NIH is looking for ethics research that can anticipate, analyze, and propose responses to ethical challenges created by new neurotechnologies and advances in brain science. The FOA emphasizes that ethics work should not be isolated from neuroscience; it should be complementary to, and potentially integrative with, high-impact neuroscience discoveries.
What are examples of the types of neurotechnology advances referenced in the opportunity?
The description references emerging capabilities such as technologies that can record brain activity in increasingly detailed ways, stimulate or modulate brain circuits, and potentially enable new forms of brain-computer interaction.
Does the FOA require ethics research to connect to ongoing neuroscience work?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes that the ethics research it supports should be complementary to neuroscience and potentially integrative with ongoing BRAIN-related discoveries, with the goal of informing how neurotechnology is developed, tested, governed, and translated into real-world settings.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism.
What does it mean that this is an NIH R01 opportunity?
As described in the provided information, the R01 mechanism is intended for discrete, hypothesis-driven or conceptually rigorous research projects with clearly defined aims and methods.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $300,000 (as provided in the source data).
What is the activity category or area associated with this grant?
The activity category is listed broadly under education, health, income security, and social services, reflecting the cross-cutting public impact of ethics research in neurotechnology (including implications for health research practices, participant protections, and societal outcomes).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are minority-serving institutions and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among eligible applicants.
Can government entities apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also lists eligible federal agencies.
Are organizations in U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
What is the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date is December 7, 2017.
When was the announcement created?
The creation date of the announcement is August 25, 2017.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the opportunity: 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, and 93.866.
What do the multiple CFDA numbers suggest about the opportunity?
Based on the provided information, the multiple CFDA numbers indicate the opportunity aligns with several NIH programs or institutes/centers connected to neuroscience and mental health-related research portfolios.
What is the overall goal of funding ethics research in this area?
Overall, the grant is positioned as a targeted investment in ethics research that keeps pace with cutting-edge neurotechnology, helping the scientific community and society navigate issues that arise as the ability to measure, interpret, and influence the brain becomes more powerful and more widely used.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Statements of Interest: China Programs
Previous opportunity: Alumni Engagement
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA MH 18 500
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MH 18 500) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to Facilitate High-Throughput Microconnectivity Analysis (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 505 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 505 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24) Apply for RFA NS 18 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to target, identify and characterize non-neuronal cells in the brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 18 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy (R01) Apply for RFA HD 18 036 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects- TargetedBCP (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 18 009 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 17 003 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (U01) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 17 004 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 17 005 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Translational and Clinical Probiotic/Prebiotic and Human Microbiome Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 001 Funding Number: PA 18 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Health of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 037 Funding Number: PA 18 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Health of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 040 Funding Number: PA 18 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| The Health of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 054 Funding Number: PA 18 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| The Health of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R15 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 210 Funding Number: PA 18 210 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 137 Funding Number: PA 18 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 155 Funding Number: PA 18 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Fellows: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) Apply for RFA MH 18 510 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 510 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 286 Funding Number: PA 18 286 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research To Address Sleep Disorders in the Context of Medical Rehabilitation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 212 Funding Number: PAR 18 212 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 -Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 369 Funding Number: PA 18 369 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 363 Funding Number: PA 18 363 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA MH 18 500", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.