BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health · Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders (93.173)
Posted 4 May 2026 · About 4 months left
In plain terms
The US National Institutes of Health funds exploratory research projects using invasive neural recording and brain stimulation technologies in human subjects to investigate how brain activity produces sensations, thoughts, and behaviors. Grants up to 700,000 US dollars support early-stage feasibility studies from US-based academic institutions, nonprofits, and other organisations, with applications in English due by 11 February 2027.
A generated summary of the donor's text; the original wording is below.
Summary
Invasive surgical procedures in humans offer the unique opportunity to intracranially record and stimulate neuronal activity within precisely localized brain structures, enabling high-impact human neuroscience investigations. This NOFO seeks exploratory research projects, from newly formed or established multi-disciplinary teams, to understand how dynamic activity of single cells and ensembles of neurons in spatially organized networks gives rise to the internal states we experience as sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, and memories, and to observable motor and social behaviors. The research should be proposed as exploratory research and planning activities to establish feasibility and early-stage development that, if successful, would support, enable, and/or lay the groundwork for a potential, subsequent research project grant applications using invasive neural recording and stimulation technologies in the human brain. Projects should maximize opportunities to conduct innovative in vivo human neuroscience research made available by direct access to the brain from invasive surgical procedures. Projects should employ approaches guided by specified theoretical constructs…
Excerpt from the donor's page. The full text, annexes and forms are on the original call.
Who can apply
- academia_research
- ngo_cso
- private_company
- government
- community_based_org
Eligibility and conditions
Show the eligibility text from the source
Applicant types: Private institutions of higher education; Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Special district governments; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); State governments; County governments; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Small businesses; For profit organizations other than small businesses; City or township governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Independent school districts
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.