OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-25-286

Neuromodulation/Neurostimulation Device Development for Mental Health Applications (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Jan 7, 2028(451 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH R21 grant for developing next-generation brain stimulation devices for mental health treatment—either novel devices or major hardware/software upgrades to FDA-approved ones. It fits small businesses, universities, and nonprofits with real R&D capability in neuroscience, engineering, and regulatory affairs. If you make incremental changes like software updates, want to run a clinical trial, or work in construction, retail, or finance, do not bother applying.

Best for
Small businesses and for-profits developing brain stimulation devices for mental health, Universities and higher education institutions with neuroscience and engineering teams, Nonprofits working on mental health device R&D, Multidisciplinary teams with clinical, engineering, and regulatory expertise
Not for
Businesses seeking incremental device changes like software updates, Organizations planning clinical trials, Construction, retail, or finance businesses with no device R&D focus
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (health, clinical)
90
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (tech, software)
84
Strong Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (stem)
73
Good Match
Food & BeverageMatches your industry (food)
68
Good Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
53
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
R&D, Research
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 7, 2028.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), private and public institutions of higher education, state, county, city, and special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments and organizations. Other eligible applicants include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, foreign organizations, and U.S. territories.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not specifically address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs. Small businesses are eligible, but you should check the full NOFO (PAR-25-286) to confirm whether your business structure qualifies.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

NIH R21 grants (clinical trials not allowed) to develop next-generation brain stimulation/neuromodulation devices for treating mental health disorders—either novel devices or major hardware/software enhancements to FDA-approved devices. Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profits, universities, nonprofits, and governments; multidisciplinary teams preferred.

About this grant

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to encourage applications seeking to develop the next generation of brain stimulation devices for treating mental health disorders. Applications are sought that will either 1) develop novel brain stimulation devices or 2) significantly enhance, by means of hardware/software improvements, the effectiveness of brain stimulation devices that are currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved or cleared. Novel devices should move beyond existing electrical/magnetic stimulation and develop new stimulation techniques capable of increased spatiotemporal precision as well as multi-focal, closed-loop approaches. Applications seeking to develop new capabilities should focus on significant enhancement of the spatial resolution, depth of delivery, and/or precision of the device. Incremental changes to existing devices (e.g., software updates)are not within the scope of this announcement. Applications should be submitted by multi-disciplinary teams with a variety of expertise including systems neuroscience, engineering, clinical, and regulatory affairs.

Who can apply

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.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Technology
  • Science

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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