The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to encourage applications to pursue invasive neural recording studies focused on mental health-relevant questions. Invasive neural recordings provide an unparalleled window into the human brain to explore the neural circuitry and neural dynamics underlying complex moods, emotions, cognitive functions, and behaviors with high spatial and temporal resolution. Additionally, the ability to stimulate, via the same electrodes, allows for direct causal tests by modulating network dynamics. This NOFO aims to target a gap in the scientific knowledge of neural circuit function related to mental health disorders. Researchers should target specific questions suited to invasive recording modalities that have high translational potential. Intervention-development clinical trials of therapeutic devices are outside the scope of this NOFO, though development of novel tools/methods to enable relevant mental health studies is encouraged.
This NOFO uses the R01 grant mechanism, encouraging longer-term projects, whereas its companion R21 NOFO, PAR-25-291, seeks grant applications encouraging shorter, higher-risk studies with little (or no) preliminary data.
Deadlines:
- R01 Due Date(s): Feb 5, Jun 5, Oct 5
- R21 Due Dates: Feb. 16, Jun. 16, Oct. 16
PAR-25-290 Expiration Date January 08, 2028
This NOFO encourages applications that incorporate teams with varied scientific backgrounds. Teams may include members from the fields of neurosurgery, electrophysiology, neuroscience, engineering, psychiatry, biostatistics, ethics and psychology with the expertise necessary to conduct rigorous human-based research. Teams will define what brain recording opportunity will be used and why their behavioral assay has mental health relevance. Although small sample sizes are to be expected, researchers are highly encouraged to collaborate to increase patient recruitment.