Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 17 240
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offered this BRAIN Initiative R01 funding opportunity (RFA-MH-17-240) to support research aimed at improving non-invasive neuromodulation, with a strong emphasis on achieving better spatiotemporal precision, meaning the ability to target specific neural circuits at the right place and time with greater accuracy. The FOA is structured around two related but clearly separated tracks: (1) creating and validating genuinely new non-invasive neuromodulation tools and methods that move beyond standard magnetic or electrical stimulation approaches, and (2) substantially improving and optimizing existing electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques. In both cases, the intent is to push the field toward more precise, controllable, and effective non-invasive ways to influence brain activity, consistent with the broader goals of the NIH BRAIN Initiative.
In the first area, NIH sought applications proposing novel neuromodulation concepts that are more than incremental tweaks to current technologies. The key point is that proposals needed to go beyond familiar variations of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (such as tDCS/tACS) and instead introduce new modalities, mechanisms, targeting strategies, or integrated toolsets that can be developed and tested. This track was meant to encourage high-impact innovation, including development work and experimental evaluation to demonstrate feasibility and performance, especially in terms of improving where stimulation acts in the brain, when it acts, and how selectively it can influence specific neural pathways.
In the second area, the FOA also encouraged applicants to focus on optimizing existing magnetic and electrical stimulation methods. This portion recognized that current non-invasive approaches are already widely used but often limited by factors like coarse spatial targeting, variability across individuals, incomplete understanding of dose-response relationships, and inconsistent outcomes. Projects in this category would typically aim to refine stimulation parameters, improve targeting and modeling, enhance hardware or waveform design, increase reproducibility, or develop better strategies for tailoring stimulation to individual anatomy or physiology. The emphasis was still on meaningful performance gains rather than minor adjustments, with the overall objective of making established approaches more precise, reliable, and informative for neuroscience and potentially for clinical translation.
This opportunity used the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it supported substantial, investigator-initiated research projects, and it was listed as a discretionary grant program within broad public purpose areas that include education and health. The FOA was associated with multiple CFDA program numbers (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting NIH’s multi-institute involvement and the cross-cutting relevance of neuromodulation to brain research and health. The funding opportunity was created on August 23, 2016, and the original application closing date was October 13, 2017. NIH anticipated making about five awards under this announcement. While an award ceiling was referenced in the source data, the actual dollar amount was not provided there.
Eligibility was broad and included many types of organizations that commonly apply to NIH, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and a range of government entities including state, county, and local governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments were eligible, along with Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. Beyond these standard categories, the FOA explicitly highlighted additional eligible applicants, including 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 federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Overall, the eligibility language signals an intent to encourage participation from a diverse set of research and community-serving institutions while advancing next-generation non-invasive neuromodulation capabilities under the BRAIN Initiative.Apply for RFA MH 17 240
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Non-Invasive Neuromodulation - New Tools and Techniques for Spatiotemporal Precision (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 2016-08-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIH BRAIN Initiative R01 (RFA-MH-17-240)
1) What is this funding opportunity about?
This NIH BRAIN Initiative R01 funding opportunity (RFA-MH-17-240) supports research to improve non-invasive neuromodulation, with a strong focus on better spatiotemporal precision. In practical terms, NIH is looking for projects that can influence brain activity more accurately by targeting the right neural circuits at the right place and time.
2) What does "spatiotemporal precision" mean in the context of this FOA?
Spatiotemporal precision refers to improving both:
- Spatial precision: where stimulation acts in the brain (more accurate targeting of specific regions/circuits).
- Temporal precision: when stimulation acts (more accurate timing and control of stimulation effects).
The overarching goal is more selective, controllable, and effective non-invasive modulation of brain activity.
3) What funding mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which is intended to support substantial, investigator-initiated research projects.
4) How is the FOA structured?
The FOA is organized into two related but clearly separated tracks:
- Track 1: Create and validate genuinely new non-invasive neuromodulation tools and methods that move beyond standard magnetic or electrical stimulation approaches.
- Track 2: Substantially improve and optimize existing electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques.
5) What kinds of projects fit Track 1 (new tools and methods)?
Track 1 is intended for proposals that introduce novel neuromodulation concepts that are more than incremental modifications to current technologies. NIH emphasized moving beyond familiar variations of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (such as tDCS/tACS), and instead advancing new modalities, mechanisms, targeting strategies, or integrated toolsets.
6) Does Track 1 allow "incremental" improvements to TMS or tDCS/tACS?
Based on the FOA description, Track 1 is not aimed at incremental tweaks to standard magnetic or electrical stimulation. It is meant to encourage high-impact innovation that moves beyond familiar variations of TMS or transcranial electrical stimulation approaches.
7) What kinds of activities are expected in Track 1 proposals?
Track 1 proposals are expected to include development work and experimental evaluation to demonstrate feasibility and performance. A key expectation is to show improvements in where stimulation acts, when it acts, and how selectively it can influence targeted neural pathways or circuits.
8) What kinds of projects fit Track 2 (improving existing techniques)?
Track 2 supports efforts to optimize and improve established non-invasive stimulation methods, including electrical and magnetic approaches. This part of the FOA acknowledges that existing methods are widely used but can be limited by coarse targeting, variability across individuals, unclear dose-response relationships, and inconsistent outcomes.
9) What specific limitations of existing non-invasive methods does this FOA aim to address?
The opportunity description highlights several common limitations that Track 2 projects may address, including:
- Coarse spatial targeting
- Variability across individuals
- Incomplete understanding of dose-response relationships
- Inconsistent outcomes
10) What kinds of improvements are encouraged for existing electrical and magnetic stimulation methods?
Examples of improvements mentioned include refining stimulation parameters, improving targeting and modeling, enhancing hardware or waveform design, increasing reproducibility, and developing better strategies for tailoring stimulation to individual anatomy or physiology.
11) Are minor adjustments to existing methods sufficient for Track 2?
The emphasis is on meaningful performance gains rather than minor adjustments. The intent is to make established approaches more precise, reliable, and informative for neuroscience and potentially for clinical translation.
12) What is the broader NIH initiative connected to this opportunity?
This FOA is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative and aligns with its broader goals of advancing next-generation tools and approaches for understanding and influencing brain activity.
13) When was this funding opportunity created, and when did it close?
The funding opportunity was created on August 23, 2016, and the original application closing date was October 13, 2017.
14) How many awards did NIH anticipate making?
NIH anticipated making about five awards under this announcement.
15) Was an award ceiling or maximum dollar amount provided?
An award ceiling was referenced in the source data described, but the actual dollar amount was not provided in the information given.
16) What CFDA program numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers, reflecting multi-institute involvement and cross-cutting relevance: 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
17) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that commonly apply to NIH, including:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- State, county, and local governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments
18) Does the FOA explicitly encourage applications from specific institution types?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants, including:
- 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 federal agencies
- Regional organizations
- Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations)
- U.S. territories or possessions
- Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized
19) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.
20) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and also separately includes small businesses.
21) Is this opportunity tied to particular public purpose areas?
It was listed as a discretionary grant program within broad public purpose areas that include education and health.
22) What is the main scientific/technical intent across both tracks?
Across both tracks, the intent is to push the field toward more precise, controllable, and effective non-invasive ways to influence brain activity, consistent with the BRAIN Initiative. Whether developing entirely new approaches or substantially improving existing ones, the emphasis is on improved targeting, timing, selectivity, and reliability.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MH 17 240) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative Fellows: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) Apply for RFA MH 17 250 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 250 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Data Archives for the BRAIN Initiative (R24) Apply for RFA MH 17 255 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 255 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Standards to Define Experiments Related to the BRAIN Initiative (R24) Apply for RFA MH 17 256 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 256 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 (R24) Apply for RFA MH 17 257 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 257 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large-Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 17 003 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 17 004 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (U44) Apply for RFA NS 17 007 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3) Apply for RFA NS 17 006 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA NS 17 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: SBIR Direct to Phase II Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (U44) Apply for RFA NS 17 008 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Career Enhancement Award for Investigators to Build Skills in a Cross-Disciplinary Area (K18) Apply for RFA DA 17 022 Funding Number: RFA DA 17 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) - Specialized Center on Human and Non-Human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (U01) Apply for RFA MH 17 210 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 210 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) - Specialized Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U01) Apply for RFA MH 17 230 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 230 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Brain Cell Data Center (U24) Apply for RFA MH 17 215 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 215 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Comprehensive Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U19) Apply for RFA MH 17 225 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 225 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) Apply for RFA EB 17 001 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 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 |
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