Since it’s inception in 2004, the NIH Blueprint has aimed to accelerate discoveries in neuroscience research across 15 collaborating Institutes and Centers (ICs) that support research on the nervous system. In the last decade, Blueprint successfully pooled resources and expertise to develop new research resources and tools, to support new training activities, and to address scientific challenges too broad for any individual IC. Among its achievements, Blueprint has created numerous neuroscience resources, a unique training opportunity for undergraduates, three Grand Challenges, and has co-sponsored the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative℠. In July of 2015, Blueprint IC Directors will come together for a half day retreat to consider how best to invest Blueprint funds in future fiscal years in order to ensure continued, wide-reaching advancement of neuroscience research across myriad diseases, disorders, and IC missions.
In anticipation of the retreat, NINDS and the 14 other NIH ICs involved in Blueprint have issued a Request for Information (RFI) to help identify potential opportunities for advancing neuroscience research that is not otherwise addressed by on-going research programs and/or Blueprint Grand Challenges. We are especially interested in ideas that are broadly relevant to any and all research on the nervous system, particularly research with potential to transform our basic understanding of the brain and our approaches to treating brain disorders. Ideas that address cross-cutting issues like training the next generation of neuroscientists, increasing diversity of the neuroscience workforce, neuroethics, and neuroscience policy research are also of interest. Stakeholders throughout academia, industry, healthcare professions, patient advocacy, scientific and professional organizations, federal agencies, and the general public are encouraged to submit any ideas that might identify current barriers and/or major opportunities to advancing neuroscience research.
We sincerely look forward to reviewing thoughts from all stakeholders, but note this RFI is intended to gather relevant information to inform future planning activities and is not a solicitation.
The deadline for submitting electronic input through our online form is May 25, 2015. Please help NINDS and the other 14 NIH ICs supporting Blueprint continue to identify major opportunities for advancing neuroscience research that can lead to quantum leaps in how we understand and treat disorders of the brain and nervous system.