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Understanding the dynamic activity of neural 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 large-scale recording and manipulation of neural activity to enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the nervous system.In particular, we seek exceptionally creative approaches to address major challenges associated with recording and manipulating neural 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.

Although invention and proof-of-concept testing of new technologies is a key component of the BRAIN Initiative, to achieve their potential these technologies must also be optimized through feedback from end-users in the context of the intended experimental use. This seeks applications for the optimization of existing and emerging technologies and approaches that have potential to address major challenges associated with recording and manipulating neural activity, at or near cellular resolution, at multiple spatial and temporal scales, in any region and throughout the entire depth of the brain.This FOA is intended for the iterative refinement of emergent technologies and approaches that have already demonstrated their transformative potential through initial proof-of-concept testing, and are appropriate for accelerated development of hardware and software while scaling manufacturing techniques towards sustainable, broad dissemination and user-friendly incorporation into regular neuroscience practice.

The purpose of this Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is to encourage applications that will develop and validate novel tools to facilitate the detailed analysis of complex circuits and provide insights into cellular interactions that underlie brain function. The new tools and technologies should inform and/or exploit cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity. Plans for validating the utility of the tool/technology will be an essential feature of a successful application. The development of new genetic and non-genetic tools for delivering genes, proteins and chemicals to cells of interest or approaches that are expected to target specific cell types and/or circuits in the nervous system with greater precision and sensitivity than currently established methods are encouraged. Tools that can be used in a number of species/model organisms rather than those restricted to a single species are highly desired. Applications that provide approaches that break through existing technical barriers to substantially improve current capabilities are highly encouraged.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages the development and validation of: 1) animal models and human tissue ex vivo systems that recapitulate the phenotypic and physiologic characteristics of a defined neurological disorder and/or 2) clinically feasible pharmacodynamic markers for therapeutics designed to treat neurological disease.The goal of this FOA is to promote a significant improvement in the translational relevance of animal models, ex vivo systems, testing paradigms, and endpoints that will be utilized to facilitate the development of neurotherapeutics. Ideally, endpoints proposed in applications for this FOA would have the potential to provide feasible and meaningful assessments of efficacy following therapeutic intervention that would be applicable in both preclinical and clinical settings.This FOA is not intended to support the development of animal and ex vivo model systems for the interrogation of disease etiology or for the identification of new drug targets. It is also not intended to support human clinical validation of model systems or pharmacodynamic markers. This FOA is part of a suite of Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts(IGNITE) focused on enabling the exploratory and early stages of drug discovery.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage applications from small business concerns (SBCs) to the newly authorized Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) program. The FOA aims to facilitate the transition of previously funded SBIR and STTR Phase II projects to the commercialization stage by providing additional support for technical assistance not typically supported through Phase II or Phase IIB grants or contracts. This may include preparation of documents for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submission, development of an intellectual property strategy and/or planning for a clinical trial. Although a significant amount of the work in a CRP award may be subcontracted to other institutions, the SBC is expected to maintain oversight and management of the R and D throughout the award.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage applications from small business concerns (SBCs) to the newly authorized Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) program. The FOA aims to facilitate the transition of previously funded SBIR and STTR Phase II projects to the commercialization stage by providing additional support for technical assistance and later stage research and development (R and D) not typically supported through Phase II or Phase IIB grants or contracts. This may include independent replication of key studies, Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies, clinical studies, manufacturing costs, regulatory assistance, or a combination of services. Although a significant amount of the work in a CRP award may be subcontracted to other institutions, the SBC is expected to maintain oversight and management of the R and D throughout the award.

The goal of this FOA is to test whether or not the ages of laboratory animals is an important consideration in experimental outcomes in the study of disease pathology, degenerative condition, response to therapy, intervention or environmental exposure. The majority of studies of human conditions and diseases in laboratory animals are done using young animals. Young animals may be appropriate for study of human diseases that are prevalent in young humans. However, older animals may be more appropriate for study of human diseases that are prevalent in older humans. While this is a testable hypothesis, there have been obstacles to performing such studies: they are more costly and take more time than studies with young animals. Nevertheless, studies in older animals may be critical to advancing basic research and translational studies from animal models to human populations where aging is itself known to impact the condition, disease or response. To test this assumption, this FOA will provide funds for demonstration projects to address two questions: 1. Does the age of the model organism influence experimental outcomes? 2. Are older animals better models of experimental studies for conditions, interventions, diseases or exposures for which aging is a risk factor of the human condition (for which the model was developed)?

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support clinical studies that will fill gaps in the design of upcoming clinical trials in rare neurological or neuromuscular diseases by validating clinical outcome measures or biomarkers, or by characterizing cohorts of relevant patients.Through the support of trial readiness studies, NINDS expects to accelerate the initiation of clinical trials for rare diseases and to increase the likelihood of success in those trials.

This FOA seeks to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that builds upon biomedical research to develop technologies, products and services that benefit society. Toward meeting this objective, the NIH is now expanding the program to include additional participating NIH and CDC Institutes and Centers. The expanded I-Corps at NIH program is focused on educating researchers and technologists on how to translate technologies from the lab into the marketplace. Under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), participating NIH and CDC Institutes and Centers will provide administrative supplement awards to a cohort of currently-funded SBIR and STTR Phase I grantees to support entrepreneurial training under the I-Corps at NIH Program. The program is designed to provide three-member project teams with access to instruction and mentoring in order to accelerate the translation of technologies currently being developed with NIH and CDC SBIR and STTR funding. It is anticipated that outcomes for the I-Corps teams participating in this program will include significantly refined commercialization plans and well-informed pivots in their overall commercialization strategies. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH or CDC Scientific/Research staff for more information about the program before applying.

The purpose of this, Inter-Agency Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to develop and validate the infrastructure for rapid and effective conduct of future research utilizing technology to facilitate aging in place, with a special emphasis on people from underrepresented groups.