Now Requesting Your Input: The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research

Last week, the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, a group of 14 NIH Institutes, Centers and Offices (ICOs) that support research on the nervous system, released a Request for Information on the Proposed Funding Priorities for Neuroscience Research and Input on Cross-Cutting Opportunities.  This RFI seeks input on future Blueprint activities and investments that have the potential to make the broadest possible impact for the neuroscience community.  Ideally suggestions should take into consideration how the activities proposed would complement other ongoing NIH neuroscience research, such as the NIH BRAIN Initiative and programs supported by the participating Blueprint ICOs. 

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Neuroscience Blueprint website screenshot

Over the last 14 years, Blueprint ICOs have pooled resources and expertise to develop novel research resources and tools, support new training initiatives, and address scientific challenges too large for any single IC.  Among its achievements, Blueprint has created powerful sets of tools to analyze publicly available neuroscience data, established unique training opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students transitioning to postdocs, supported Grand Challenges (including the Human Connectome Project and the  Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network), and co-sponsored the NIH BRAIN Initiative. We recently updated the NIH Blueprint website to make it easier for investigators to search for available funding opportunities and resources and learn about ongoing Blueprint initiatives.

Responses to previous RFIs and other input from the scientific community have directly shaped past and current Blueprint programs.  As the Blueprint ICOs consider how best to invest our shared funds in future years, we look forward to hearing new ideas about how we can ensure sustained progress in neuroscience research across myriad diseases, disorders, and Institute missions. We are interested in ideas that are broadly relevant to all research on the nervous system that spans the missions of multiple NIH ICOs, particularly research that has the potential to transform our basic understanding of the brain and our approaches to treating brain disorders.  In addition to cross-cutting, high-impact research, we are also interested in ideas that innovate neuroscience training, research resources, infrastructure, and workforce development.     

Your input is critical to the development of programs and initiatives that NIH supports in neuroscience.  Help shape the future of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research by submitting your input before November 26, 2018.  All comments must be submitted electronically to: NIH-Blueprint-Responses