NIH Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative (BRAIN)

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Mission Statement

The BRAIN initiative is aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain.

Interest Areas

General Topics

The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative (The BRAIN Initiative®) is a partnership between Federal and non-Federal partners with a shared goal of accelerating innovative neurotechnologies. By developing and sharing these advances, researchers can build a new dynamic picture of the brain showing how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact across time and space.

Priority research areas for the BRAIN Initiative include:

  • Data Science and Informatics - Data science research, data sharing and reuse, and informatics infrastructure needed to effectively archive, integrate, interpret, and visualize data across all areas of BRAIN Initiative research. 
     
  • Dissemination - Dissemination of validated tools and resources for basic, translational, or clinical research in BRAIN Initiative-relevant areas. 
     
  • Human Neuroscience - Studies that use advanced technologies to investigate the structure, function, and connectivity of the human brain. 
     
  • Neural Recording and Modulation -  Development and optimization of new tools and technologies for modulation and recording of cellular resolution signals of the central nervous system. 
     
  • Neuroethics – The examination of the ethical and societal implications of BRAIN-funded tools and technologies.  
     
  • Neuroimaging Technologies Across Scales - New imaging technologies for the study of function and connectivity varying in resolution from synapses to the whole brain. 
     
  • Systems Neuroscience - Research that explores how circuit activity gives rise to mental experience and behavior using innovative and methodologically integrated approaches.
     
  • Tools and Technologies for Brain Cells and Circuits - Efforts to define, catalogue, map, access, and characterize the diverse cell types and their functions in the brain across species.
     
  • Training - The development of early-stage investigators and initiatives to enhance the biomedical workforce.

Highlighted Topics

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Funding Opportunities and Notices

Search for BRAIN’s funding opportunities and notices

Additional Information by Funding Category

Administrative Supplements
In addition to our Administrative Supplements overview, consider the following BRAIN-specific information.
Administrative Supplement Interest Areas:

The BRAIN Initiative will consider highly meritorious administrative supplement applications. Awards are contingent on alignment with BRAIN Initiative priorities, documented need, and availability of funds.

BRAIN encourages administrative supplements in the following topic areas: 

  • Supplement that support the initial dissemination of technologies and resources developed under BRAIN Initiative awards.
  • Supplements to retain investigators facing critical life events, from career development (K) or first-time research project grant (RPG) awardees 

The BRAIN Initiative recommends interested applicants reach out to their current program officer, as listed on the Notice of Award, for the most recent parent award to discuss whether a supplement request would be appropriate.

Administrative Supplement Due Dates:

Submission acceptance is continuous, but reviews will happen in cohorts based on time of submission:

  • January 1 – March 31
  • April 1 – June 30
  • July 1- September 30
  • October 1 – December 31
Administrative Supplement Contact:

Dissemination Supplements:
BRAIN Dissemination
[email protected]

Critical Life Event Supplements:
BRAIN Training
[email protected]

For all other administrative supplements contact the program officer listed on the Notice of Award

See Also

BRAIN Initiative

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