BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) | RFA NS 23 025

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 23 025

The BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs (eTeamBCP) funding opportunity (RFA-NS-23-025) is an NIH BRAIN Initiative cooperative agreement (U01) meant to jump-start ambitious, early-stage team science focused on how dynamic neural circuit activity gives rise to a specific behavior or a well-defined neural system function. It is a reissue of earlier solicitations (RFA-NS-18-029, RFA-NS-20-029, and most recently RFA-NS-22-028) and was updated to comply with NIH data management and sharing policy requirements; importantly, it does not add new due dates beyond what is already posted for the reissued announcement. The FOA emphasizes exploratory work that is bold and potentially transformative, but still positioned as a stepping-stone: projects should build the experimental capabilities and/or theoretical foundations that would later support larger, more extended efforts such as a BRAIN TargetedBCP R01 or a multi-component Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs U19.

At its core, the program is trying to push the field toward large-scale, mechanistic circuit understanding in realistic biological contexts. Applicants are expected to study neural systems and circuits while simultaneously measuring ethologically relevant behavior, meaning behavior that is naturalistic and meaningful for the organism rather than overly simplified readouts. A central expectation is that teams will connect multiple layers of information: cell types, connectivity, and circuit function, paired with rigorous, sophisticated behavioral analysis. The FOA is explicitly oriented toward integrated approaches that combine experimental neuroscience with computational and theoretical work, reflecting the view that explaining circuit-to-behavior relationships increasingly requires both high-dimensional data generation and equally advanced modeling, analysis, and conceptual frameworks.

The opportunity is structured to reward interdisciplinary teams that genuinely cross boundaries, not just assemble parallel subprojects. Competitive applications are expected to show strong synergy, where the combined expertise allows the group to tackle questions that would be unrealistic for any single lab. The methods envisioned include cutting-edge tools for large-scale recording, manipulation, and analysis of neural activity across multiple CNS regions, consistent with modern circuit neuroscience trends such as multi-region recordings, perturbation/causal tests of circuit function, and integrated data analysis pipelines. While exploratory in scope, projects are still expected to aim for mechanistic insight, not only descriptive mapping, and to produce deliverables that set up a credible path to the next funding stage.

Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH opportunity using the cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial NIH program involvement compared to a standard research grant. Clinical trials are listed as optional, so applicants can propose studies that do or do not involve clinical trial components, as long as they fit NIH definitions and the FOA requirements. The funding announcement is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting the multi-institute nature of BRAIN-related support across NIH.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISISs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, but foreign components are allowed under NIH policy, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may participate, which can enable international collaborations when they are part of a U.S.-led application.

Key opportunity identifiers and timing details included in the source information are: Funding Opportunity Title, BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Clinical Trials Optional); Funding Opportunity Number, RFA-NS-23-025; Agency, National Institutes of Health; and an original closing date listed as 2024-05-07. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided extract, so applicants would typically confirm budget guidance, project period expectations, and award counts directly in the full FOA and any NIH companion notices.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Clinical Trials Optional)" 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 2023-04-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for RFA NS 23 025

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: