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The National Institutes of Health Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (Blueprint) is a collaboration among 14 participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to support cross-cutting programs to advance research on the nervous system. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek input from the scientific community for the Blueprint to advance the fundamental understanding of neuroimmune interactions in the healthy CNS by integrative studies on dynamic interactions of non-neuronal cells and neurons.

This NOTICE is to alert the extramural community that, as of the September 2020 NANDS Council round, NINDS will no longer apply administrative reductions to modular investigator-initiated R01 grants. However, non-modular R01 awards will continue to receive a 17.5% administrative reduction applied to IRG and NANDS Council budget recommendations (see: NINDS Funding Strategy). Investigators and recipient organizations should carefully consider this NIH guidance when developing budgets for R01 submissions (see Develop Your Budget). In accordance with the NIA Funding Strategy for AD/ADRD research, NINDS will continue to award the level of support recommended by the study section for applications funded through the Alzheimer's allocation, with adjustments deemed appropriate by NIH staff.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage grant applications for investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trials to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The trials must address questions within the mission and research interests of the NINDS and may evaluate drugs, biologics, and devices, as well as surgical, behavioral and rehabilitation therapies. Information about the mission and research interests of the NINDS can be found at the NINDS website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)

Reissue of RFA-NS-18-020: Understanding the dynamic activity of brain circuits is central to the NIH BRAIN Initiative. This FOA seeks applications for proof-of-concept testing and development of new technologies and novel approaches for recording and modulation (including various modalities for stimulation/activation, inhibition and manipulation) of cells (i.e., neuronal and non-neuronal) and networks to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system (CNS). This FOA seeks exceptionally creative approaches to address major challenges associated with recording and modulating CNS activity, at or near cellular resolution, at multiple spatial and/or temporal scales, in any region and throughout the entire depth of the brain. It is expected that the proposed research may be high-risk, but if successful, could profoundly change the course of neuroscience research. Proposed technologies should be compatible with experiments in behaving animals, validated under in vivo experimental conditions, and capable of reducing major barriers to conducting neurobiological experiments and making new discoveries about the CNS. Technologies may engage diverse types of signaling beyond neuronal electrical activity such as optical, magnetic, acoustic and/or genetic recording/manipulation. Applications that seek to integrate multiple approaches are encouraged. If suitable, applications are expected to integrate appropriate domains of expertise, including biological, chemical and physical sciences, engineering, computational modeling and statistical analysis.

Reissue of RFA-NS-18-019: Understanding the dynamic activity of neural circuits is central to the NIH BRAIN Initiative. The invention, proof-of-concept investigation, and optimization of new technologies through iterative feedback from end users are key components of the BRAIN Initiative. This FOA seeks applications to optimize existing or emerging technologies through iterative testing with end users. The technologies and approaches should have potential to address major challenges associated with recording and modulation (including various modalities for stimulation/activation, inhibition and manipulation) of cells (i.e., neuronal and non-neuronal) and networks to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system (CNS). These technologies and approaches should have previously demonstrated their transformative potential through initial proof-of-concept testing and are now ready for accelerated refinement. In conjunction, the manufacturing techniques should be scalable towards sustainable, broad dissemination and user-friendly incorporation into regular neuroscience research. Proposed technologies should be compatible with experiments in behaving animals, validated under in vivo experimental conditions, and capable of reducing major barriers to conducting neurobiological experiments and making new discoveries about the CNS. Technologies may engage diverse types of signaling beyond neuronal electrical activity such as optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic or genetic recording/manipulation. Applications that seek to integrate multiple approaches are encouraged. If suitable, applications are expected to integrate appropriate domains of expertise, including biological, chemical and physical sciences, engineering, computational modeling and statistical analysis.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage grant applications for investigator-initiated efficacy clinical trials to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The trials must address questions within the mission and research interests of the NINDS and may evaluate drugs, biologics, and devices, as well as surgical, behavioral and rehabilitation therapies. Information about the mission and research interests of the NINDS can be found at the NINDS website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)

The Joint NINDS/NIMH Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant program supports exploratory and innovative research projects, which fall within the missions of the NINDS and the NIMH. Awards will provide support for the early and conceptual stages of projects. These studies often assess the feasibility of a novel avenue of investigation and involve considerable risk, but have the potential to bring about breakthroughs in the understanding of important areas of neuroscience, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, or models, of high value to the neuroscience community.

This notice informs applicants of a change to the Key Dates for RFA-NS-20-006 "BRAIN Initiative: Biology and Biophysics of Neural Stimulation and Recording Technologies (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)". Two of the receipt dates, the October 1, 2021 and June 1, 2022 receipt dates have been cancelled from this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants of a correction for PAR-21-057 "Analytical Validation of a Candidate Biomarker for Neurological or Neuromuscular Disorders (U44 Clinical Trial Optional)". This notice removes the STTR eligibility language that was erroneously publishedin this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and clarifies the Fast-Track (Phase I and II) eligibility languagethat was erroneously omitted in this FOA. This notice is effective for the June 22, 2021 receipt date and subsequent due dates.

The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants of a correction for PAR-21-059 "Clinical Validation of a Candidate Biomarker for Neurological or Neuromuscular Disorders (U44 Clinical Trial Optional)". This notice removes the STTR eligibility language that was erroneously publishedin this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and clarifies the Fast-Track (Phase I and II) eligibility languagethat was erroneously omitted in this FOA. This notice is effective for the June 22, 2021 receipt date and subsequent due dates.