Data / Federal grants / RFA-MH-28-110
BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools and New Approaches for Neuroscience Research
National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services) expects to post this opportunity around February 10, 2027, with applications due around June 10, 2027. It lists 10 awards expected, $12 million in total.
SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. It reads every open and forecast federal opportunity on Grants.gov each morning, and this page is that reading. Describe your organization once and the grants that fit arrive in your sheet, CRM, Slack or agent as they are posted.
Key facts
- Opportunity number
- RFA-MH-28-110
- Status
- Forecast
- Posted
- June 24, 2026
- Closes
- June 10, 2027
- Expected awards
- 10
- Total funding
- $12,000,000
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
- Health
- Assistance listing
- 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants
- Contact
- BRAIN Initiative · [email protected]. · Please contact via e-mail
Who can apply
- County governments
- State governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- City or township governments
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Other Eligible ApplicantsEligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
What the agency says
The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research to develop novel tools and approaches that enable the interrogation of cell-specific and circuit-specific processes in the central nervous system. This NOFO consolidates three current BRAIN Initiative tool development programs. Projects that focus on developing a broad range of new research tools to delineate anatomical and functional connections between cells and circuits, and to expand our knowledge of brain architecture and function are encouraged, such as projects that: Develop novel tools to characterize/define cell-types, circuits, and cellular components in the nervous system with greater selectivity and sensitivity, including: new genetic or non-genetic technologies/approaches (for delivering genes, proteins, and chemicals to access and/or manipulate cells of interest) novel sensors or tracers for imaging or monitoring molecules, structures, and activities within single cells and circuits with significant advances in sensitivity, selectivity, or spatiotemporal resolution
Develop new technologies and novel approaches for recording and modulation of neural cells and circuits, including: approaches to address major challenges and enable transformative understanding of dynamic signaling in the central nervous system approaches that utilize any modality, such as optical, electrical, magnetic, or acoustic recording/manipulation approaches to target neuronal electrical signals or other forms of neural activity, including intracellular signaling and engagement of non-neuronal cells in circuit function.
Projects at broad stages of development are supported, from unique and innovative technologies that are in the earliest stage of development (including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization) through the optimization of existing instrumentation with transformative potential in order to facilitate broad adoption. Applications that offer transformative approaches that break through existing technical barriers and substantially improve current capabilities are strongly encouraged. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the RP1 activity code.
Other open grants from the Department of Health and Human Services
| Opportunity | Status | Closes | Award ceiling | Total funding | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term health outcomes of people living with spina bifida CDC-RFA-DD-26-0222 | Open | Oct 26 | $300,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Data Coordination and Outreach Center (U01, Clinical Trials Not Allowed) RFA-HG-27-011 | Open | Oct 30 | $1,250,000 | $2,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Innovation Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-HG-27-013 | Open | Oct 30 | $500,000 | $7,500,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Technology Integration Center (U01, Clinical Trials Optional) RFA-HG-27-012 | Open | Oct 30 | $2,250,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| HEAL Initiative: Whole Joint Health Program (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-27-045 | Open | Oct 30 | grants.gov | ||
| Clinical Observational (CO) Studies in Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic, and Skin Diseases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) PAR-24-280 | Open | Nov 2 | grants.gov |
All grants open to County governments · All grants open to State governments · All grants open to Tribal governments · Everything closing in June 2027
Read from the Grants.gov API, last updated 2026-10-23. The agency's notice on Grants.gov is the official record; check it before you apply.