Limited Competition: BRAIN Initiative: Promoting Health for All Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships

The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative, a collaboration of Federal and non-Federal partners led by NIH, intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications to accelerate the scientific impact and broad research adoption of BRAIN Initiative-relevant neurotechologies at institutions with limited NIH Research Project Grant funding. This opportunity will enable the integration of these neurotechnologies into the research and/or training programs of investigators at institutions with limited NIH Research Project Grant funding, while expanding the dissemination of BRAIN-initiative technologies. It is expected that these awards will support two-way knowledge transfer between the investigator and the BRAIN disseminator to enable novel, sustained integration of the neurotechnology into broader research practice. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of neuroscience resource dissemination are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in dissemination and training in new technologies at institutions with limited NIH Research Project Grant funding will be encouraged, and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this NOFO. This is a Forecast for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Eligibility Section for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions). This funding opportunity announcement is limited to institutions of higher education that:1) award undergraduate (B.S. or B.A.) and/or graduate degrees in biomedical sciences; and2) at the time of the application, have received no more than $7.5 million dollars per year (total costs) from NIH Research Project Grants (RPGs) in four of the last seven preceding fiscal years, calculated using NIH RePORTER

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...