Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 22 115
The NIH BRAIN Initiative funding opportunity RFA-MH-22-115 supports the development and validation of new research tools designed specifically for studying and influencing cell-specific and circuit-specific activity in the brains of humans and non-human primates. The central idea is to push beyond tools that work well in small, common laboratory species and instead build technologies that can operate effectively in large, complex brains that are closer to human biology. This focus reflects a major bottleneck in neuroscience and medicine: even when scientists can identify dysfunctional brain circuits involved in neurological or psychiatric disorders, it remains difficult to monitor those circuits or change their activity in ways that are safe, precise, and minimally invasive.
This opportunity is a reissue of an earlier announcement (RFA-MH-19-135) and is tied to the broader Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. It emphasizes that real progress toward new treatments for brain disorders will require tools that can selectively reach and affect the right cells and networks, rather than broadly altering brain tissue. A key motivation is that many emerging intervention strategies, including gene-therapy-like approaches and viral delivery of genetic constructs, are increasingly being considered as potential therapeutic paths for humans. However, translating those strategies into clinical reality requires targeted research to address practical barriers, especially around how to deliver genes, proteins, or other functional payloads into specific brain cell types or circuits reliably and safely in large brains.
The solicitation encourages both genetic and non-genetic tool development. On the genetic side, this can include improved delivery vectors or constructs that make it easier to target particular neuronal or glial cell types, or that allow circuit-level specificity (for example, targeting neurons defined by their connections). On the non-genetic side, it can include new ways to deliver proteins, chemicals, or other agents to precisely defined cells or pathways, as well as technologies that enable finer control, better sensitivity, or more accurate localization than current methods. Across all approaches, the expectation is that the tool or technology is not just proposed conceptually but is developed far enough to demonstrate real utility in the relevant context of human or non-human primate brains.
A defining requirement of strong applications is a clear plan to validate the tool. In practical terms, NIH is signaling that it is not enough to build a platform in isolation; applicants should show how they will test whether it actually works as intended, how well it performs, and why it is an advance over existing options. The validation component is framed as essential because the ultimate goal is to enable detailed analysis and manipulation of complex circuits and to produce insights into cell-to-cell interactions that underlie brain function. This means reviewers will likely look for rigorous performance benchmarks, evidence that the tool can achieve cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity, and a thoughtful pathway for demonstrating reliability and relevance in large-brain systems.
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement using the UG3/UH3 phased innovation structure, with clinical trial participation listed as optional. In general terms, the UG3 phase is commonly used for an initial milestone-driven development period, and the UH3 phase supports expansion or later-stage activities once early objectives are met, with NIH having substantial programmatic involvement typical of cooperative agreements. While the listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided text, the mechanism and emphasis suggest NIH intends to support projects with clear go/no-go milestones, strong translational logic, and credible validation plans.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Applicants may include state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; independent school districts; special district governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and organizations. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the original closing date shown is May 8, 2023. The opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA numbers, reflecting NIH’s multi-institute structure and the cross-cutting relevance of tool-building for neuroscience and brain health.
Overall, this program is aimed at teams that can bridge advanced neurotechnology development with realistic testing in human-relevant brain contexts, especially where precision targeting of specific cells and circuits is the deciding factor. The most competitive proposals are likely to be those that combine technical innovation with a convincing validation strategy and a clear explanation of how the new tool removes a real barrier in large-brain neuroscience and, ultimately, in the translation of circuit-targeted interventions for brain disorders.Apply for RFA MH 22 115
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Development of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in Human and Non-Human Primate Brain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the RFA-MH-22-115 funding opportunity?
RFA-MH-22-115 is an NIH BRAIN Initiative funding opportunity that supports the development and validation of new research tools designed for studying and influencing cell-specific and circuit-specific activity in the brains of humans and non-human primates.
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The main goal is to push beyond tools that work well in small, common laboratory species and develop technologies that can operate effectively in large, complex brains that are closer to human biology. The intent is to enable safe, precise, and minimally invasive monitoring and modulation of specific brain circuits and cell types.
Why does the opportunity emphasize large brains (human and non-human primate) instead of typical laboratory species?
The opportunity targets a major bottleneck in neuroscience and medicine: tools that perform well in small animal models often do not translate well to large, complex brains. NIH is prioritizing tool development that works in human-relevant contexts where anatomy, scale, and biological constraints are closer to those encountered in humans.
How does this opportunity relate to the NIH BRAIN Initiative?
This solicitation is tied to the broader Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which focuses on advancing innovative tools and technologies to understand brain function and accelerate progress toward addressing brain disorders.
Is this a new program or a reissue of an earlier announcement?
This opportunity is a reissue of an earlier announcement, RFA-MH-19-135.
What types of tools or technologies does the solicitation encourage?
The solicitation encourages both genetic and non-genetic tool development, as long as the tools are designed for cell-specific and/or circuit-specific study and influence in human or non-human primate brains and include a strong validation plan.
What are examples of genetic tool development that would fit this opportunity?
Examples include improved delivery vectors or genetic constructs that better target particular neuronal or glial cell types, as well as approaches that allow circuit-level specificity (for example, targeting neurons based on their connections).
What are examples of non-genetic tool development that would fit this opportunity?
Examples include new ways to deliver proteins, chemicals, or other agents to precisely defined cells or pathways, and technologies that improve control, sensitivity, or localization compared to current methods.
Does NIH expect applicants to only propose concepts, or to build and test working tools?
NIH expects tools to be developed far enough to demonstrate real utility in the relevant context of human or non-human primate brains. The solicitation emphasizes that it is not sufficient to propose a platform in isolation without demonstrating that it works as intended.
How important is validation in this funding opportunity?
Validation is a defining requirement for strong applications. Applicants are expected to provide a clear plan to test whether the tool works as intended, how well it performs, and why it is an advance over existing options.
What kinds of validation evidence are reviewers likely to look for?
Based on the solicitation description, reviewers are likely to look for rigorous performance benchmarks, evidence of cell-type and/or circuit-level specificity, and a thoughtful approach for demonstrating reliability and relevance in large-brain systems.
What problem is NIH trying to solve by funding these tools?
NIH is addressing the practical difficulty of monitoring and changing the activity of specific dysfunctional brain circuits in ways that are safe, precise, and minimally invasive, even when those circuits have been identified as relevant to neurological or psychiatric disorders.
How does this opportunity connect to potential therapies for brain disorders?
The opportunity is motivated in part by emerging intervention strategies (including gene-therapy-like approaches and viral delivery of genetic constructs) that are being considered as potential therapeutic paths for humans. NIH is emphasizing the need for tools that can reliably and safely deliver functional payloads (such as genes or proteins) into specific brain cell types or circuits in large brains.
What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement using the UG3/UH3 phased innovation structure.
What does the UG3/UH3 phased innovation structure imply at a high level?
In general terms, the UG3 phase is commonly used for an initial milestone-driven development period, and the UH3 phase supports expansion or later-stage activities once early objectives are met. This structure suggests the project will be guided by clear go/no-go milestones.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement indicates substantial NIH programmatic involvement typical of this funding mechanism, rather than a purely investigator-driven grant with minimal agency involvement.
Are clinical trials required?
Clinical trial participation is listed as optional for this opportunity.
Is there an award ceiling or an expected number of awards listed?
The provided information does not include an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Examples include state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; independent school districts; special district governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes foreign (non-U.S.) entities among eligible applicants.
Are specific institution types explicitly highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Which agency sponsors this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What was the original closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original closing date shown is May 8, 2023.
What do the multiple CFDA numbers indicate?
The opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA numbers, reflecting NIH's multi-institute structure and the cross-cutting relevance of tool-building for neuroscience and brain health.
What kinds of project teams are likely to be competitive?
The program is aimed at teams that can bridge advanced neurotechnology development with realistic testing in human-relevant brain contexts. The most competitive proposals are likely to combine technical innovation with a convincing validation strategy and a clear explanation of how the tool removes a real barrier in large-brain neuroscience and translation of circuit-targeted interventions for brain disorders.
What level of targeting does NIH emphasize (broad vs. selective)?
The opportunity emphasizes selective targeting of the right cells and networks rather than broadly altering brain tissue, with a focus on cell-specific and circuit-specific reach and effect.
Does the opportunity focus only on monitoring brain circuits, or also on influencing them?
It focuses on both: tools to study (monitor/analyze) and to influence (manipulate/modulate) cell-specific and circuit-specific activity in human and non-human primate brains.
What is a key practical barrier the solicitation calls out?
A key practical barrier is how to deliver genes, proteins, or other functional payloads into specific brain cell types or circuits reliably and safely in large brains.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance
Previous opportunity: Soybean Value Chain Research
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA MH 22 115
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MH 22 115) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Advancing Integrated Models (AIM) of Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes among Women Who Experience Persistent Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NR 22 002 Funding Number: RFA NR 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Integrated Models (AIM) of Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes among Women Who Experience Persistent Disparities (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NR 22 003 Funding Number: RFA NR 22 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Human Pain-associated Genes and Cells Data Coordination and Integration Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 021 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 22 050 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects- TargetedBCP (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 026 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Planning Projects TargetedBCPP (R34 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 027 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Comprehensive Centers for Mouse Brain (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 048 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Specialized Projects for Scalable Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 049 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Comprehensive Centers for Human and Non-Human Primate Brain (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 047 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 047 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA NS 22 028 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Coordinating Center to Support Research on Community Level Interventions for Firearm and Related Violence, Injury and Mortality Prevention (CLIF-VP) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 120 Funding Number: PAR 22 120 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research on Community Level Interventions for Firearm and Related Violence, Injury and Mortality Prevention (CLIF-VP) (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 115 Funding Number: PAR 22 115 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Integration and Analysis of BRAIN Initiative Data (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 22 220 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 220 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clinical Trials Development for Co-Occurring Conditions in Individuals with Down syndrome: Phased Awards for INCLUDE (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA OD 22 010 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research Award for the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occurring Conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome) Project (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 009 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Clinical Trial Readiness (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 007 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Analysis, Curation, and/or Sharing of Down syndrome-related Research Data for the INCLUDE Project (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 008 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Team Research for Initial Translational Efforts in Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 052 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 040 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (U01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA NS 22 041 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 041 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA MH 22 115", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.