BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA EY 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EY 23 001

The BRAIN Initiative funding opportunity, "New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-EY-23-001), is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant that supports very early, high-risk, high-reward ideas for new neurotechnology. The focus is specifically on recording neural activity and/or modulating neural activity (often described as stimulation, perturbation, or manipulation), with an emphasis on concepts that are still at the earliest stages of development. The intent is to create space for unconventional, unproven, or newly conceptualized approaches that could eventually transform what researchers can measure or control in the nervous system.

A central theme of the program is innovation in capability and precision. Some proposed projects may aim for dramatic leaps in scale, such as technologies that could increase the number of neurons recorded from or influenced by many orders of magnitude. Other projects may be geared toward improving how precisely neural signals can be measured or how selectively specific cell types, circuits, or brain regions can be targeted for modulation. The FOA is intentionally broad about the underlying technical approach, encouraging applicants to use or combine modalities such as acoustic, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical methods, as well as genetic tools. Both invasive and non-invasive strategies are considered appropriate, as long as they point toward eventual compatibility with experiments in behaving animals or humans, even if the work being proposed is still at a foundational, exploratory stage.

Because this is an R21 mechanism, the opportunity is geared toward early-stage, concept-establishing research rather than full technology maturity. The projects supported under this FOA are expected to lay groundwork, demonstrate feasibility, or generate critical proof-of-concept results that could justify more extensive development later. Importantly, the announcement specifies "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported work cannot be structured as a clinical trial, even if the long-term vision includes eventual human compatibility. The practical takeaway is that applicants should design studies around preclinical development, benchtop validation, methodological demonstrations, and foundational experiments rather than clinical endpoints.

The FOA explicitly invites participation from people and fields that do not traditionally sit within neuroscience. In addition to neuroscientists, the NIH is encouraging applications from chemists, physicists, engineers, theoreticians, materials scientists, and other technical experts who may bring new measurement principles, new device concepts, new analytical frameworks, or new materials and fabrication strategies. This emphasis reflects the BRAIN Initiative's goal of advancing neuroscience through cross-disciplinary technology development, particularly where outside perspectives might unlock approaches that standard toolchains have not achieved.

A key compliance requirement in this opportunity is the mandatory Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP). This plan is not optional and will be assessed during scientific and technical peer review. If an application does not include a PEDP, it will be considered incomplete and will be withdrawn without review. Practically, this means applicants need to describe, in a concrete and credible way, how the project will incorporate diverse perspectives into the research process. The FOA frames this as part of the overall evaluation, so the plan should be treated as a core component of the application rather than an administrative add-on.

Eligibility is broad. In addition to standard categories like state, county, and city governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; small businesses; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, the FOA also highlights participation from a wide range of institutions and organizations. These include 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), tribal governments (including those other than federally recognized), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth is consistent with the program's goal of expanding who contributes to next-generation neurotechnology development.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is run by the National Institutes of Health and uses the grant funding instrument. The original closing date listed is 2026-06-15, and the award ceiling is $400,000. 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, 93.867), reflecting NIH’s multi-institute participation common to BRAIN Initiative activities. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a pipeline entry point for brand-new recording and modulation concepts that are not yet proven but could, if successful, substantially expand the scale, specificity, and practical usability of tools for observing and manipulating neural activity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2023-09-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-15. (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 $400,000.00 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.

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