BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

The BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is a funding opportunity provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically administered by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in partnership with several other NIH institutes and centers. This initiative is part of the broader Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which has been ongoing since 2014. The purpose of this initiative is to accelerate innovative neurotechnologies and support the integration of ethical considerations within cutting-edge brain research. This R21 funding opportunity seeks short-term, high-risk exploratory or developmental research projects focused on the core ethical issues emerging from technological advancements in neuroscience. Applicants are encouraged to form multidisciplinary teams that integrate ethicists and neuroscientists to explore ethical challenges related to areas such as brain imaging and modulation, data privacy, informed consent, and inclusion of underrepresented populations in brain research. This opportunity complements its companion R01 funding opportunity, which is designed for more extensive, long-term research efforts with supporting preliminary data. Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of U.S. and foreign institutions and organizations. These include higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofits, for-profits, local and state governments, tribal governments, public housing authorities, and foreign entities. Specific eligibility requires that organizations must complete registrations with SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Principal investigators must also have an eRA Commons account and, if applicable, separate accounts if they also serve as signing officials. Applications must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, institutional system-to-system solutions, or Grants.gov Workspace. Submission must conform to NIH’s SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and include detailed sections on research strategy, methodological approach, current state-of-the-art, milestones, and if applicable, plans involving human subjects. Applications must also comply with NIH’s data management and sharing requirements, and may include optional letters of intent submitted 30 days prior to application deadlines to nimhpeerreview@mail.nih.gov. Key dates include an open date for submissions starting September 11, 2024. Application due dates are October 11, 2024; October 10, 2025; and October 9, 2026. The earliest start date for awarded projects begins in July of each respective year. The closing or expiration date for the current funding cycle is May 24, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced in March and May of each application year, following advisory council reviews. The total program funding is anticipated to be approximately $2 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2027, with up to eight new awards each year. Each award will not exceed $275,000 in direct costs over two years, with a maximum of $200,000 in any one year. This grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds. For scientific questions, Dr. James Churchill (james.churchill@nih.gov) is the primary research contact. Submission-related queries can be directed to eRA Service Desk or GrantsInfo@nih.gov.