The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has reissued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), PAR-25-291, for R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grants to advance neural circuitry understanding of mental health disorders through invasive neural recording and stimulation in humans. This initiative supports high-risk, innovative studies aimed at uncovering neural dynamics related to complex behaviors, cognition, and emotions, emphasizing translational potential for mental health applications. The R21 mechanism funds shorter-term, exploratory projects with limited or no preliminary data, complementing the R01 program (PAR-25-290) designed for longer-term studies.
Applications should target mental health-relevant questions using invasive recording techniques such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), electrocorticography (ECoG), or responsive neural stimulation (RNS). Projects may involve novel technologies, such as advanced AI tools or virtual reality, and are encouraged to include diverse, interdisciplinary research teams. Research areas of interest include acute intraoperative recordings, sub-acute monitoring in clinical settings, chronic studies using DBS systems, and RDoC-inspired paradigms for cognitive and emotional domains.
Eligibility extends to U.S. and non-U.S. institutions, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, and local governments. Applicants are not required to share costs. Organizations must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov before application submission. Each project must include a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), detailing actionable strategies to improve inclusivity in research, reviewed as part of the scientific merit evaluation.
The R21 program allows a maximum budget of $275,000 in direct costs over two years, with no more than $200,000 in any single year. The earliest submission date is January 16, 2025, and standard NIH deadlines apply. Proposals must be submitted electronically through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
Applications will undergo NIH's peer review, evaluated for significance, innovation, rigor, and feasibility. Emphasis will be on high-impact research with clear translational value and methodological innovation. Proposals must adhere to NIH policies on data sharing, human subject protections, and bioethics. Specific exclusions include animal studies, therapeutic device trials, and stand-alone technology development unrelated to the research question.
Contact information for scientific and administrative inquiries, as well as resources for developing the PEDP and data management plans, are provided in the NOFO. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all instructions and policies to ensure compliance and successful submission.
