Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EB 17 001
The BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01) opportunity (RFA-EB-17-001) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement under the broader NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. Its core purpose is to push the field beyond incremental improvements by backing the earliest stages of completely new, noninvasive human brain imaging technologies and methods. The emphasis is on approaches that could realistically change what scientists can measure in the living human brain, opening doors to discoveries that are not possible with current imaging tools.
This FOA is designed specifically for small-scale, proof-of-concept development. In practical terms, it targets projects that may still be high-risk but have a compelling and well-argued path to showing feasibility. NIH is explicitly asking for unusually bold, original, and even unconventional ideas, meaning applicants are encouraged to propose concepts that might look too exploratory for more traditional grant mechanisms. The goal is to generate the early evidence needed to justify later-stage optimization, validation, and eventual broader adoption by the neuroscience and biomedical communities.
The award mechanism is an R01 grant, and the listed award ceiling is $300,000. While the opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding and spans federal assistance areas tied to education, health, and social services, the scientific focus is tightly centered on next-generation, noninvasive imaging for humans. The announcement was created on October 21, 2016, with an original closing date of February 1, 2017, reflecting a defined submission window for that specific cycle.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, spanning many types of organizations that can contribute to breakthrough imaging development. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals a clear intent to attract diverse technical perspectives and partnerships, including cross-sector teams that combine engineering, physics, computation, neuroscience, and clinical expertise.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an early-stage launchpad: it is meant to help innovators demonstrate that a radically new human brain imaging idea can work at all, not to fund a fully mature platform. The strongest-fitting projects are those that can credibly argue for transformative potential in human brain measurement while also laying out a realistic proof-of-concept plan that can be completed on a modest budget and within a typical R01-style research framework.Apply for RFA EB 17 001
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01)" 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 2016-10-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-02-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
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FAQs: The BRAIN Initiative Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01) (RFA-EB-17-001)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement under the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The specific program is titled "The BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01)" and is identified as RFA-EB-17-001.
What is the main purpose of the FOA?
The core purpose is to push beyond incremental improvements by supporting the earliest stages of entirely new, noninvasive human brain imaging technologies and methods. The emphasis is on approaches that could realistically change what scientists can measure in the living human brain, enabling discoveries that are not possible with current imaging tools.
What kind of projects is NIH trying to encourage?
NIH is explicitly seeking unusually bold, original, and even unconventional ideas. The FOA is designed to welcome concepts that might be considered too exploratory for traditional grant mechanisms, as long as the proposal makes a compelling case for feasibility through a proof-of-concept plan.
Is this opportunity focused on early-stage work or later-stage validation?
This FOA is specifically for small-scale, proof-of-concept development at an early stage. It is meant to generate early evidence that a radically new noninvasive human brain imaging idea can work at all, rather than funding a fully mature platform.
What does "proof of concept" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this context, proof of concept refers to early development work aimed at demonstrating feasibility. Projects may be high-risk, but they should present a strong, well-argued path to showing that the underlying approach can work and produce the kind of early evidence that can justify later optimization, validation, and broader adoption.
What is the funding mechanism for this FOA?
The award mechanism is an NIH R01 grant.
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $300,000.
What scientific area does this FOA target?
The scientific focus is tightly centered on next-generation, noninvasive imaging technologies and methods for use in humans.
Does the FOA emphasize incremental improvements to existing imaging tools?
No. The FOA is positioned as a push beyond incremental improvements. It prioritizes completely new approaches that can transform what can be measured in the living human brain.
What makes a project a strong fit for this opportunity?
The strongest-fitting projects are those that credibly argue for transformative potential in human brain measurement and also provide a realistic, well-reasoned proof-of-concept plan that can be completed on a modest budget within a typical R01-style research framework.
Is NIH open to high-risk ideas?
Yes. The FOA targets early-stage projects that may still be high-risk, provided there is a compelling and well-argued path to demonstrating feasibility.
Is the focus limited to one discipline, or is cross-disciplinary work relevant?
The FOA signals interest in diverse technical perspectives and partnerships, including cross-sector teams. It specifically notes the value of combining capabilities across areas such as engineering, physics, computation, neuroscience, and clinical expertise.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, including: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are minority-serving and community-based institutions mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are federal agencies and regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible agencies of the federal government and regional organizations among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible entities.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
What types of applicants does the broad eligibility suggest NIH wants to attract?
The breadth of eligibility signals an intent to attract diverse technical perspectives and partnerships, including teams that can bring together different strengths needed to create breakthrough noninvasive human brain imaging approaches.
What is the broader initiative this FOA belongs to?
This FOA sits under the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.
When was the announcement created?
The announcement was created on October 21, 2016.
What was the original closing date for the submission window?
The original closing date was February 1, 2017, reflecting a defined submission window for that specific cycle.
Is this opportunity described as discretionary funding?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding.
Which federal assistance areas are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity spans federal assistance areas tied to education, health, and social services, while maintaining a specific scientific focus on next-generation noninvasive human brain imaging for humans.
What is the overall role of this FOA in technology development?
It is best understood as an early-stage launchpad intended to help innovators demonstrate feasibility for radically new human brain imaging ideas, generating the early evidence needed to support later-stage optimization, validation, and broader adoption.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01) Apply for RFA MH 17 260 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (U01) Apply for RFA EB 17 002 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 002 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) Apply for RFA NS 17 019 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP (U19) Apply for RFA NS 17 018 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 018 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) Apply for RFA NS 17 014 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01) Apply for RFA AI 16 082 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 082 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01) Apply for RFA AI 16 083 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 083 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH-DoD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory - Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA AT 17 001 Funding Number: RFA AT 17 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research To Address Sleep Disorders in the Context of Medical Rehabilitation (R01) Apply for PAR 17 163 Funding Number: PAR 17 163 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3) Apply for PAR 17 205 Funding Number: PAR 17 205 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44) Apply for PAR 17 201 Funding Number: PAR 17 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early - Stage Research for Large - Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) Apply for RFA EY 17 002 Funding Number: RFA EY 17 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 500 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 500 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to Facilitate High-Throughput Microconnectivity Analysis (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 505 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 505 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24) Apply for RFA NS 18 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to target, identify and characterize non-neuronal cells in the brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 18 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy (R01) Apply for RFA HD 18 036 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects- TargetedBCP (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 18 009 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 17 003 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (U01) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 17 004 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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