BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
Invasive surgical procedures in humans offer the unique opportunity to intracranially record and stimulate neuronal activity within precisely localized brain structures, enabling high-impact human neuroscience investigations. This NOFO seeks exploratory research projects, from newly formed or established multi-disciplinary teams, to understand how dynamic activity of single cells and ensembles of neurons in spatially organized networks gives rise to the internal states we experience as sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, and memories, and to observable motor and social behaviors. The research should be proposed as exploratory research and planning activities to establish feasibility and early-stage development that, if successful, would support, enable, and/or lay the groundwork for a potential, subsequent research project grant applications using invasive neural recording and stimulation technologies in the human brain. Projects should maximize opportunities to conduct innovative in vivo human neuroscience research made available by direct access to the brain from invasive surgical procedures. Projects should employ approaches guided by specified theoretical constructs and by quantitative, mechanistic models where appropriate. Recipients will join a consortium working group, coordinated by the NIH, to identify consensus standards of practice, including neuroethical considerations, to collect and provide data for ancillary studies, and to aggregate and standardize da.
The BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a federal grant program designed for newly formed or established multidisciplinary research teams seeking to conduct innovative human neuroscience investigations. This program funds exploratory research and planning activities that leverage the unique opportunities presented by invasive surgical procedures to record and stimulate neuronal activity within precisely localized brain structures. Researchers can investigate how dynamic activity of single cells and neuronal ensembles gives rise to sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, memories, and observable motor and social behaviors. The program supports early-stage development and feasibility studies that would lay groundwork for subsequent research project grant applications. Successful projects employ approaches guided by theoretical constructs and quantitative, mechanistic models. Recipients join an NIH-coordinated consortium working group focused on identifying consensus standards of practice, including neuroethical considerations, and aggregating standardized data. This is an excellent opportunity for neuroscience researchers and interdisciplinary teams with access to human surgical settings who want to pioneer groundbreaking discoveries about brain function and behavior through direct investigation of human neural mechanisms.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
February 11, 2027
Award Amount
Up to $700K
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Grant Amount
Up to $700K
Deadline
2027-02-11
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual
Best For
Multidisciplinary neuroscience research teams conducting exploratory human brain research using invasive neural technologies
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Eligible applicants include newly formed or established multidisciplinary research teams. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. For complete eligibility requirements, refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the NIH website.
How much funding does BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Funding ranges from up to $700,000. For the most current funding amounts and any adjustments for the current cycle, consult the official NOFO on the NIH grants website.
How do I apply for BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applications are typically submitted through grants.nih.gov using the NIH application format. The application deadline is February 11, 2027. Applicants should carefully review the complete NOFO for submission requirements, formatting guidelines, and all programmatic requirements. Visit the official NIH BRAIN Initiative website for detailed instructions, templates, and additional resources to prepare your application.
What can BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
Funding supports exploratory research projects and planning activities that use invasive neural recording and stimulating technologies in the human brain during surgical procedures. Projects should investigate how neuronal activity generates internal states and behaviors, employ innovative approaches guided by theoretical constructs and mechanistic models, and maximize opportunities for high-impact in vivo human neuroscience research. Funding enables early-stage development and feasibility studies designed to establish groundwork for future research project grant applications.
Last updated: July 5, 2026