OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesRFA-MH-26-170

BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Feb 8, 2027(118 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH BRAIN Initiative R01 research grant for teams that can develop and validate new tools to study specific cells and circuits in the brain. It suits research-heavy universities, nonprofits, and biotech or tech small businesses with neuroscience R&D capability; clinical trials are not allowed. Retail, construction, transportation, and energy businesses have no fit here and should not apply.

Best for
Research labs and universities developing neuroscience tools, Biotech and technology small businesses building cell- or circuit-specific brain research instruments, Nonprofits and foundations with R&D capacity in neurotechnology, Government and tribal entities with scientific research programs
Not for
Clinical care providers or anyone planning a clinical trial, Businesses outside neuroscience R&D, such as retail, construction, transportation, or energy firms, Organizations without research capacity to develop and validate new lab tools
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (technology, tech)
61
Good Match
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
57
Good Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
46
Possible Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (stem)
45
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
44
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
39
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
ManufacturingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
36
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
35
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
35
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
34
Worth Exploring
Finance & BankingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
34
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
34
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
32
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
29
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
28
Worth Exploring

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 February 8, 2027.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and tribal governments, public housing authorities, independent school districts, special district governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The eligibility text also lists certain federal agencies, foreign organizations, and various minority-serving and faith-based or community-based institutions.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are listed as eligible, but the notice does not specify whether sole proprietors or single-member LLCs qualify, so check the full opportunity listing before applying.
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 BRAIN Initiative R01 grants to develop and validate novel tools and technologies for probing cell-specific and circuit-specific processes in the brain. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofits, governments, tribes, and for-profit organizations including small businesses; clinical trials not allowed.

About this grant

The purpose of this Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is to encourage applications that will develop and validate novel tools to facilitate the detailed analysis of complex circuits and provide insights into cellular interactions that underlie brain function. The new tools and technologies should inform and/or exploit cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity. Plans for validating the utility of the tool/technology will be an essential feature of a successful application. The development of new genetic and non-genetic tools for delivering genes, proteins and chemicals to cells of interest or approaches that are expected to target specific cell types and/or circuits in the nervous system with greater precision and sensitivity than currently established methods are encouraged. Tools that can be used in a number of species/model organisms rather than those restricted to a single species are highly desired. Applications that provide approaches that break through existing technical barriers to substantially improve current capabilities are highly encouraged.

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

  • Science
  • Health
  • Technology

Program contact

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

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