Notice Number: NOT-NS-16-041

Key Dates
Release Date: September 6, 2016

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
National Eye Institute (NEI)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Purpose

The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies  (BRAIN) Initiative is an ambitious multi-agency effort announced by President Obama in April 2013. Specific goals for NIH contributions to the Initiative were formulated over a year-long planning process that culminated in the release of BRAIN 2025: A Scientific Vision, a seminal planning document produced by a working committee of the Advisory Council to the NIH Director. NIH continues to be guided by this document and by input from the BRAIN Multi-Council Working Group (MCWG), a committee that includes Advisory Council members from each of the ten NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) contributing to the BRAIN Initiative.

The upcoming fiscal year represents a transition point for the BRAIN Initiative, with goals of scaling up efforts in a number of specific areas:

1. Census of Brain Cell Types
2. Tools for Cells and Circuits
3. Technologies for Neural Recording and Modulation
4. Human Imaging and Neuromodulation
6. Technology Dissemination and Training
7. Small Business Awards
8. Data Coordination
9. Neuroethics
To fund the ambitious goals of this transition, the President’s budget calls for a total appropriation of $195 million, which has been matched or exceeded by proposals from House and Senate appropriations subcommittees.

At its most recent meeting on August 2, 2016, the MCWG provided clearance for BRAIN FY 2017 initiatives. Investigators interested in particular research areas are encouraged to review the listing of cleared initiatives, which includes contact information for NIH Program staff in each area. Links to this information can be found at the following url:
https://braininitiative.nih.gov/about/mcwg.htm.

Interested parties are also encouraged to subscribe to the BRAIN Update post (https://brainupdate.nih.gov/), which issues periodic announcements including new funding opportunities.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Edmund (Ned) Talley, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-1917
Email: [email protected] (email strongly preferred)

Gregory K. Farber, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone:  301-435-0778
Email: [email protected]