BRAIN Initiative: Data Archives for the BRAIN Initiative (R24 Clinical Trial Optional)

The NIH BRAIN Initiative’s R24 Data Archives funding opportunity (RFA-MH-25-110) invites applications for establishing and managing web-accessible data archives focused on data generated by the BRAIN Initiative and other related research. These archives are envisioned to support advanced neuroscience research by creating a robust data infrastructure to store, standardize, and provide tools for data access, visualization, and analysis. Emphasis is placed on usability for a wide range of researchers, and applicants are expected to incorporate relevant data standards without the primary focus being on new software development. This initiative requires applications to include a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) to support inclusivity in research, which is a critical component in the review and funding decision process. A successful data archive will prioritize data submission pipelines that meet quality control standards and enable both raw and processed data storage. Archives should include private, collaborative data-sharing spaces and be accessible to all research community members. Applicants may also propose a fee-for-service model for archiving non-BRAIN-funded research to help sustain archive operations, with income management adhering to NIH policies on program income. In addition, archives are encouraged to support cloud-based computation to allow on-site data analysis, which can help accommodate computationally intensive tasks without requiring data download. Funding for this initiative is substantial, with an estimated $4 million available to fund 3-4 awards per cycle, and budgets are unrestricted but must reflect actual project needs. Project periods can extend up to five years. NIH funding policies apply, and applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 5:00 PM local time on the due date, with an earliest possible start date set for April 2025. Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign institutions, including higher education, non-profits, government entities, and for-profit organizations. All applicants must have the necessary SAM, NCAGE, UEI, and eRA Commons registrations completed in advance of submission. Each application should also include a comprehensive PEDP outlining strategies for enhancing diverse research participation, with measurable milestones, support for diverse research teams, and plans for engaging with underrepresented groups in neuroscience. The application’s Research Strategy must address five sections: (1) standards and identifiers, including standards alignment and persistent identifiers; (2) data storage and protection, detailing data types, storage strategies, and growth projections; (3) data accessibility, including data submission agreements, access management, and federation plans; (4) tools for data analysis and visualization, with budgeted computational resources and user access plans; and (5) a timeline for the data archive’s development with quantifiable milestones. Adherence to NIH data management and sharing policies is mandatory, with specific guidelines for protecting data and handling human subjects. Applications will be reviewed based on their scientific merit, innovation, approach, and environment, with specific attention to the effectiveness of the PEDP, expertise in informatics, data archiving, and the quality of data accessibility strategies. Additional review factors include milestones feasibility, plans for data standards, secure data access, and integration of analysis and visualization tools.