BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with participation from multiple NIH institutes including NIDA, NEI, NIA, NIAAA, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCD, NIMH, NINDS, and NCCIH. This opportunity aligns with the NIH BRAIN Initiative's goals to develop innovative neurotechnologies and enhance our understanding of brain function, contributing to future treatments and prevention of brain disorders. The initiative is founded on the "BRAIN 2025" strategic vision and subsequent updates, encouraging transdisciplinary collaboration, data sharing, and ethical considerations. The grant aims to support transdisciplinary teams to develop and apply tools for minimally invasive, multi-dimensional, high-resolution behavioral measurement in humans. Projects should capture synchronous environmental data, integrate it with behavioral and neural data, and generate computational models to understand behavior as a complex dynamic system. Only projects involving basic research in humans are eligible, while those focused solely on non-human models should apply through the companion NOFO (RFA-DA-24-041). Projects targeting specific diseases or disorders are not permitted. Funding supports innovative approaches that capture behavior and environmental interaction in ecologically relevant contexts. Eligible projects must include expertise in neuroscience, computational science, and ethics, with clear milestones and consideration for ethical issues like privacy and data use. A major goal is the integration of neural data with behavioral and environmental measures across multiple timescales, ensuring minimal intrusiveness and maximizing ecological validity. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. and international organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, tribal entities, and foreign organizations. Multiple applications per organization are permitted if each is scientifically distinct. Applicants must complete several federal registrations prior to submission, including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Applications are due annually on October 9 through 2026, with letters of intent encouraged 30 days prior to submission. The earliest start date for funded projects is July of the following year. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, with approximately $8 million allocated annually across up to 10 awards, and project durations up to five years. No cost sharing is required. For assistance, applicants can contact several NIH officials, including Holly Moore (holly.moore@nih.gov) at NIDA, Elizabeth Powell (elizabeth.powell3@nih.gov) at NIAAA, and Erin Burke Quinlan (erin.quinlan@nih.gov) at NCCIH. Applications must follow detailed submission instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide, with strict adherence required. Projects will be evaluated based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, team expertise, ethical considerations, and potential for significant impact.