Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 870
The NIH opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Development Optimization, and Validation of Novel Tools and Technologies for Neuroscience Research (STTR) (R41/R42 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" is a discretionary grant program designed to push forward practical, usable technology for neuroscience. It sits under the federal BRAIN Initiative umbrella and uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, meaning it is structured specifically to support small companies working in formal partnership with a nonprofit research institution (typically a university or research institute). The main intent is not basic discovery science for its own sake, but the creation and improvement of concrete tools, platforms, and enabling technologies that can meaningfully expand what neuroscientists are able to measure, manipulate, analyze, or translate into routine research practice.
A central theme of the program is the development of novel neurotechnologies and the translation of earlier-stage innovations into products that are ready for broader adoption. That includes both brand-new tool concepts and technologies that have already been invented or prototyped under prior BRAIN Initiative awards or other research funding programs, but still need engineering, optimization, validation, and product-focused refinement to reach the market. The FOA emphasizes an iterative development approach: awardees are expected to refine the technology in cycles, actively incorporating feedback from real end users (for example, neuroscience labs, core facilities, or other practitioners). The long-term goal is to move beyond one-off prototypes and toward scalable manufacturing and dependable performance, so that the tool can be disseminated widely, sustained over time, and realistically integrated into standard neuroscience workflows.
The funding mechanism referenced in the title, R41/R42, corresponds to the two-phase STTR structure. In practice, Phase I (R41) is generally where feasibility is established and major technical risks are reduced, while Phase II (R42) supports more substantial development, validation, and steps that position the technology for commercialization. The program is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trials Not Allowed," which signals that the proposed work should not include clinical trial activities as defined by NIH. Projects can still be relevant to human health and disease, but they must remain on the tool-and-technology development side rather than conducting clinical intervention studies.
Eligibility is limited to small businesses, consistent with STTR rules. The FOA also makes clear restrictions related to foreign involvement: non-U.S. entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, the notice allows that "foreign components," as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be permissible in some cases, which usually means certain discrete, well-justified elements of the project could be carried out abroad with NIH approval, as long as the applicant organization and core project remain compliant with NIH policy and the FOA restrictions.
Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health and was created on 2018-07-24. The listing includes an original closing date of 2021-05-06. It is categorized as a grant under broad federal activity areas that include education and health, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.867), reflecting that multiple NIH Institutes and Centers may participate or that the program aligns with multiple NIH funding lines. The notice as provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should consult the full FOA text and any participating institute guidance to understand budget expectations, available funds, and practical competitiveness.
Overall, the opportunity is aimed at small business-led, commercialization-oriented neurotechnology development that is grounded in real neuroscience research needs. The NIH is looking for projects that can move a technology from promising concept to something that is engineered, tested, validated with users, and prepared for reliable manufacturing and broad dissemination, without crossing into clinical trial territory.Apply for PA 18 870
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Development Optimization, and Validation of Novel Tools and Technologies for Neuroscience Research (STTR) (R41/R42 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" 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, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-07-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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| Developing the Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System for Pain Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 917 Funding Number: PA 18 917 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Specialized Collaboratory on Human and Non-Human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 19 149 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 149 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Scalable Technologies and Tools for Brain Cell Census (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 19 148 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 148 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 951 Funding Number: PAR 18 951 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 950 Funding Number: PAR 18 950 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 19 400 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 400 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 19 006 Funding Number: RFA NS 19 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Research Grants for Analyses of Data for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource (R03 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 069 Funding Number: PAR 19 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| HEAL Initiative: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program Data Integration, Algorithm Development and Operations Management Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AR 19 027 Funding Number: RFA AR 19 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,600,000 |
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| HEAL Initiative: Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA AT 19 004 Funding Number: RFA AT 19 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| HEAL Initiative: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adolescents and Young Adults (ages 1630) (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 19 035 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Behavioral Research to Improve MAT: Behavioral and Social Interventions to Improve Adherence to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AT 19 006 Funding Number: RFA AT 19 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 19 127 Funding Number: PA 19 127 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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