National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

• NINDS highly 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.
• NINDS prioritizes funding supplement requests with at least one year remaining on the parent award and that include a strong justification for why it is not possible to re-budget within existing funds.
• For mentored research and training supplements, NINDS prioritizes applications that justify the need, explain how it will advance the candidate’s development (including, as appropriate, submission of an individual application), demonstrate their intellectual contribution, and show strong mentor and institutional commitment.

• Supplements are considered on a rolling basis with requests received after July 1st considered in the next fiscal year.
• Contact the program officer listed on the Notice of Award for the most recent parent award to discuss timing considerations.

• Contact the program officer listed on the Notice of Award for the most recent parent award.

NINDS supports high quality scientific conferences that are relevant to the NINDS mission and to public health.

NINDS typically supports awards in the range of $5,000 to $20,000 and is intended to provide partial support for the conference. Some appropriate uses of NINDS R13 funding include:
•    Supporting the dissemination of the proceedings
•    Web-casting or web-archiving
•    Supporting students or junior investigators to attend or participate

•    It is critical that applicants follow the meeting date and submission timing guidelines in the table below as awards cannot be made after the meeting has concluded
•    If your organization is new to NIH funding, even more advance time may be needed for required registrations.

•    NINDS generally only accepts R13 applications for a single year of support.
•    In exceptional circumstances, NINDS may support multi-year applications that have a demonstrated history of yearly funding success and that meet NINDS mission objectives.
•    It is highly recommended to contact program staff in advance if you wish to apply for multiple years of support.
 

Applicants are encouraged to use NIH Matchmaker to find an NINDS Program Officer, or

NINDS Referral Team
[email protected]

NINDS sponsors education grants for short courses, summer and year-round research experiences and mentoring networks. In addition to any NINDS Highlighted Topics related to Research Training, interest areas include:

Summer Research Experiences that provide high quality research experiences during the summer academic break (at least 8 weeks).

Year-round Research Experiences that provide full-time summer research (at least 8 weeks) and part-time academic year research experiences to prepare undergraduates and post-baccalaureates to transition into rigorous, research-focused doctoral degree programs in biomedical fields, prioritizing programs at Resource-Limited Institutions (RLIs).

Short courses that provide an intensive hands-on experience that is not available on a local level or through other formal NIH-supported training programs. NINDS also participates in short courses supported by the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.

Mentoring networks that prepare graduate level and above participants from a national or regional pool to progress in their careers and transition to their next career stage. These networks may increase participants’ awareness of and interest in the neurosciences, develop participants scientific knowledge and research skills, and equip them with professional development and leadership skills. Does not support single institution mentoring initiatives.

NINDS prioritizes applications with

• A strong rationale and need for the program
• Clear goals that advance the NINDS mission 
• Customized or individualized program components geared toward improving participant’s specific knowledge and/or skills
• Clearly identified educational goals and methodologies, and program evaluation and assessments
• Demonstrated feasibility that leverages and extends institutional strengths.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult NINDS staff before submitting an application. 

• Research Experiences applications are prioritized for October Advisory Council review.
• Short Courses and Mentoring Networks are prioritized for January Advisory Council review.

• Other
  • Summer Research Experiences: high school and undergraduate students; high school science teachers
  • Year-round Research Experiences: undergraduate students, post-baccalaureates
  • Short Courses and Mentoring Networks: graduate/medical students, postdoctoral researchers, early-stage and established faculty, from a national/regional pool (i.e., not all participants come from a single institution).

• The maximum project period for NINDS-supported Research Education programs is 5 years.

• Summer Research Experiences: Up to $150,000 direct cost per year
• Year-round Research Experiences: Up to $250,000 direct cost per year 
  • NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research - supported programs are limited to $400,000-$450,000/year
• Short Courses: Up to $250,000 direct cost per year 
  • NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research - supported short courses up to $270,000
• Mentoring Networks: Up to $250,000 direct cost per year

• Summer Research Experiences: Up to $50,000 combined salary, administrative, clerical or other staff associated with designing, directing and administering the research experience program 
• Year-round Research Experiences: 
  • Personnel – up to 3.6 months' salary support for PI(s)/PD(s)
  • Participants – Salary support for undergraduate students and post-baccalaureates employed by their institutions
  • Other: Program – related expenses (e.g., travel for key persons, consultants, supplies, etc.) 
• Short Courses: 
  • Personnel – Salary and fringe for individuals designing, directing and implementing the program appropriate for the person months devoted to the program 
  • Participants – costs consistent with educational level/career status; funds to defray partial tuition or education-related expenses; per diem with strong justification
  • Other: Program – related expenses (e.g., travel for key persons, consultants, supplies, etc.)
• Mentoring Networks: 
  • Personnel – Up to $75,000 for administering the program including salary and fringe for individuals designing, directing and implementing the program
  • Other – Program-related expenses (e.g., housing, registration, travel for key persons, consultants, supplies, equipment, etc.) 

• NINDS does not award Research Education Cooperative Agreements (UE5)
• NINDS awards Research Education Grant Projects (R25)

• The Office of Training and Workforce Development: [email protected]

NINDS utilizes the SBIR and STTR programs to enable the commercial development of tools and technologies that serve the NINDS mission space. Priority is given to proposals with the greatest potential to advance the NINDS mission. NINDS is especially interested in:

1) Novel and innovative technologies being developed for their first indication or market opportunity
2) Companies that are new to SBIR/STTR funding

NINDS Small Business Program

[email protected]