NIMH Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (NIMH BRAINS) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The NIMH Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) program, supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is designed to facilitate the early career development of exceptionally promising new scientists. This initiative provides substantial funding for researchers who are beginning their independent research careers and are committed to the mission of the NIMH: transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through rigorous research. This grant program is offered under the Research Project Grant (R01) activity code and accepts applications proposing or not proposing clinical trials. The BRAINS program aims to identify and nurture early-stage investigators with innovative ideas that challenge existing paradigms or create new ones. This grant specifically targets researchers who lack the preliminary data typically required for traditional R01 funding, allowing them to pursue novel research questions in clinical, translational, basic, or services research that aligns with the NIMH Strategic Plan. It emphasizes projects that hold the potential to revolutionize our understanding of mental disorders, improve diagnostics, or develop effective treatment and prevention strategies. Eligible applicants must be designated as Early Stage Investigators (ESI) by the NIH and hold tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions, typically at the assistant professor level. Applicants must demonstrate research independence and institutional support, including access to dedicated resources and lab space. The application requires a robust career development plan and must include a description of institutional support, a proposed external advisory committee, and a minimum commitment of six person-months annually to the project. The funding mechanism supports up to $500,000 in direct costs annually for up to five years. NIMH plans to allocate $3 million each fiscal year from 2024 through 2026, funding between six to eight new awards annually. No matching funds are required. The next application due date is June 20, 2025, with the earliest project start date anticipated in April 2026. Letters of intent are due 30 days before the application deadline. Applications must be submitted via the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional S2S systems and follow SF424 (R&R) guidelines. Applications that do not meet compliance will not be reviewed. Detailed project strategies must address NIMH priorities, and applicants are encouraged to consult scientific contacts prior to submission. For additional assistance, contact Eric R. Murphy at eric.murphy@nih.gov or Tamara Kees at tkees@mail.nih.gov for grants management inquiries.