BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization- Next Generation Sensor Technology Development (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The funding opportunity titled BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization- Next Generation Sensor Technology Development (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) is issued by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with participation from multiple NIH institutes. This initiative is part of the broader BRAIN Initiative, a long-standing federal effort launched to accelerate the development of innovative neurotechnologies that enable researchers to better understand brain function and behavior. The program specifically supports the Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization program, which aims to integrate behavioral data with neural activity through advanced sensing technologies. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development of next-generation sensor technologies and bioelectronic devices that can measure behavior in complex, real-world environments and synchronize those measurements with neural recordings. Projects are expected to advance both hardware and computational capabilities, including the development of multimodal sensing systems, real-time data acquisition, and integration with computational models that capture behavior-environment interactions. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, neuroscientists, and data scientists to create transformative tools that surpass current technological limitations. Funding supports research and development activities related to sensor design, fabrication, testing, validation, and dissemination. Proposed technologies must demonstrate improvements in performance, including high spatial and temporal resolution, reliability, and the ability to operate continuously for extended periods such as 48 hours or more. Sensors should minimize power consumption, ideally incorporating energy harvesting, and be capable of collecting real-time data. Projects must also demonstrate the synchronization of sensor data with neural recordings, whether surface or intracranial, and ensure biocompatibility where applicable. Devices should be scalable, reproducible, and suitable for widespread use in the scientific community. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing applications from higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations including small businesses, and government entities at all levels, including tribal and foreign organizations. Individuals with the appropriate expertise may serve as principal investigators in coordination with eligible organizations. The program encourages multidisciplinary teams and collaboration across sectors, including partnerships between academia and industry. There is no cost-sharing requirement, lowering barriers to participation for a wide range of applicants. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using one of the approved submission systems such as NIH ASSIST, Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applicants must follow the NIH Research Instructions and include required components such as a detailed research strategy, milestones and timeline, data management and sharing plan, and any applicable human subjects or clinical trial documentation. Applications undergo a rigorous peer review process evaluating scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and team expertise. Only complete and compliant submissions will be reviewed. Key dates include an application open date of May 13, 2025, with recurring annual deadlines on June 15 through 2027. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The review process includes scientific merit review, advisory council review, and an earliest start date approximately ten months after submission. Awards are expected to support projects for up to five years. The opportunity expires in June 2027, but recurring cycles indicate continued future funding rounds.

Focus on high-impact, innovative sensor technologies with clear improvements over current methods; ensure strong multidisciplinary collaboration and rigorous validation plans