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This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), in support of the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, aims to support early stage development of entirely new and novel noninvasive human brain imaging technologies and methods that will lead to transformative advances in our understanding of the human brain. The FOA solicits unusually bold and potentially transformative approaches and supports small-scale, proof-of-concept development based on exceptionally innovative, original and/or unconventional concepts.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), in support of the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, aims to support full development of entirely new or next generation noninvasive human brain imaging tools and methods that will lead to transformative advances in our understanding of the human brain. The FOA seeks innovative applications that are ready for full-scale development of breakthrough technologies with the intention of delivering working tools. This FOA represents the second stage of the tool/technology development effort that started with RFA-MH-14-217 and RFA-MH-15-200

The common marmoset has recently emerged as a promising model system to understand the primate brain. In particular, marmoset behavior is similar in many ways to human behavior and the technology for germ line transmission of exogenous genetic information is now possible. However, existing colonies and commercial sources are currently unable to provide sufficient marmosets for neuroscience research.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications to create a Marmoset Coordination Center. The awardee will be responsible for two separate but related activities. The first activity will be to become the repository for genomic, pedigree, and event records (date of birth, medical, reproductive history) for captive marmosets. The awardee is expected to use that information to help make breeding recommendations to maximize the health and genetic diversity of the marmosets in primate colonies. Applicants are encouraged to adopt the model used by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

(Reissue of RFA-NS-16-021, PAR-18-413) Diffuse brain white matter disease is highly prevalent in the elderly, and has been clinically associated with vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) in both men and women. Diffuse white matter disease is thought to include a variety of pathologies including demyelination and/or fiber loss due to multifocal infarction and local ischemia. It is often accompanied by arteriosclerosis in deep penetrating arteries, multiple infarcts in the basal ganglia, brainstem or cerebellum. Though most commonly extending out from the periventricular surfaces, it may also occur in subcortical white matter. Diffuse white matter disease is typically detected in clinical settings as hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or signal loss on computed tomography x-ray (CT) scan; diffuse white matter disease can be detected histologically as well, for example in human pathology and in studies using animal models. Despite the prevalence and potential significance of white matter disease for cerebrovascular disease etiology and cognitive outcomes, much remains to be learned about the cellular and molecular causes, regional vulnerability, and progression over time. The physiological consequences of diffuse white matter disease on local axon and neural circuit function are almost completely unknown. The purpose of this FOA is to address some of the many gaps in knowledge of the biologic mechanisms of the commonly occurring, cerebrovascular disease and age-related diffuse white matter disease at the molecular, cellular, tissue and brain circuit level. The ultimate goal of this fundamental research is to inform future efforts to reduce the burden of illness due to age-related vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages research grant applications directed toward developing next-generation human cell-derived assays that replicate complex nervous system architectures and physiology with improved fidelity over current capabilities. This includes technologies that do not rely on the use of human fetal tissue, as described in NOT-19-042. Supported projects will be expected to enable future studies of complex nervous system development, function and aging in healthy and disease states.

Reissue of RFA-NS-18-032. The purpose of the NINDS Research Program Award (RPA) is to provide longer-term support and increased flexibility to Program Directors (PDs) /Principal Investigators (PIs) whose records of research achievement demonstrate their ability to make major contributions to neuroscience. RPAs will support the overall research programs of NINDS-funded investigators for up to 8 years, at a level commensurate with a PD/PI's recent NINDS support (Part 2, Section II) This greater funding stability will provide eligible investigators at nearly all career stages increased freedom and flexibility, allowing them to be more adventurous in their research, take greater risks, embark upon research that breaks new ground, undertake research projects that require a longer timeframe, and/or extend previous discoveries in new directions. Research supported through the RPA must be within the scope of the NINDS mission (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/mission.htm). Research activities outside of the NINDS mission, or traditionally supported by another NIH Institute or Center will not be considered through this program. Other anticipated benefits of the RPA include: A more stable funding environment, facilitating the pursuit of longer-term research goals; Flexible funding, enabling investigators to pursue research opportunities as they arise, not tied to specific aims; Reduced time spent writing grant applications and managing multiple grant awards, thereby allowing investigators to spend more time conducting and overseeing research; and More time for PDs/PIsto mentor junior scientists. Eligibility to apply through this FOA is limited to investigators who currently have at least one active NINDS R01 or R01 equivalent grant (defined here as R00, R01, R37, R56, DP1 or DP2 awards), and who have had an active R01 equivalent grant from NINDS in each of the past 5 years, with no more than one of those years in a no cost extension.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage cooperative agreement (U54) applications from multidisciplinary groups of investigators to accelerate the rate of progress in determining the functional, pharmacological, neuronal network and whole animal consequences of genetic variants discovered in patients with various types of epilepsy and to develop strategies for establishing diagnostic criteria and identifying potential targets for intervention.

Reissue of RFA-AR-18-001: The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit applications for Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRCs). These Centers promote collaborative basic, translational and clinical research and provide important resources that can be used by the national muscular dystrophy research community. A goal of this Centers program is to support important and innovative research in the muscular dystrophies that is best pursued through this interdisciplinary and collaborative center environment, and projects that may not be as effective if supported by "stand-alone" research project grants. The Centers also provide outstanding environments for the training of new scientists electing to pursue careers conducting research in high priority areas of muscular dystrophy. Finally, Center investigators are expected to engage the patient and advocacy communities in conversations to increase awareness of research, encourage patient participation in research and incorporate the perspectives of these communities in the conduct of patient-centered research.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages investigators to submit research grant applications that will identify, develop, test, evaluate and/or refine strategies to disseminate and implement evidence-based practices (e.g. behavioral interventions; prevention, early detection, diagnostic, treatment and disease management interventions; quality improvement programs) into public health, clinical practice, and community settings. In addition, studies to advance dissemination and implementation research methods and measures are encouraged.