BRAIN Initiative: Scaled reagent resources for brain cell type-specific access across vertebrate species (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA MH 25 100

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 25 100

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications under the BRAIN Initiative for a cooperative agreement (U01; clinical trial not allowed) focused on scaling up and systematizing the creation of reagent resources that enable brain cell type-specific access across vertebrate species. The opportunity, titled "BRAIN Initiative: Scaled reagent resources for brain cell type-specific access across vertebrate species," sits within the BRAIN Initiative Armamentarium for Brain Cell Access transformative project, which is aimed at building practical, broadly shareable toolkits that let researchers reliably target, label, monitor, and manipulate defined neural cell populations. The central idea is to move beyond one-off tool development and instead establish scaled, screening-driven pipelines that generate and refine reagents that work across multiple species and experimental contexts.

A major emphasis of the NOFO is the development and scaling of approaches that provide precise access to specific brain cell types using viral, non-viral, transgenic, and gene regulatory element-based strategies. In practice, this includes engineering and testing gene transfer tools (such as viral vectors or other delivery modalities), gene regulation systems (including cell type-specific promoters and enhancers), genome engineering components, and activity sensor or effector constructs that can read out or change neural activity in targeted populations. The program is explicitly interested in technologies that can be applied not only in genetically tractable model systems (where genetic tools are already well established), but also in less genetically tractable systems. This includes primates and studies involving human tissue, reflecting the longer-term goal of making these resources relevant to translational neuroscience and, eventually, to the kinds of precise interventions that could be needed for human brain disorders.

An important feature of the initiative is the tight coupling between reagent generation at scale and real validation feedback loops. Applicants are expected to do more than build reagents; they should also validate performance in biologically meaningful settings so that results can inform iterative improvement. The NOFO frames validation studies as a mechanism to deepen understanding of neural gene transfer and gene regulation, which in turn helps improve the next generation of reagents and screening strategies. The program is oriented toward building robust, reusable resources that the broader community can deploy, rather than narrow tools optimized for a single lab or a single experimental niche.

The opportunity also highlights the long-run clinical relevance of cell type-specific targeting, while remaining clear that this particular award does not support clinical trials. The rationale is that the ability to deliver gene editors, sensors, or effectors to the right cells with high specificity is a prerequisite for any future therapeutic strategy that aims to correct mutations, modulate dysfunctional circuits, or otherwise intervene in a precise and safe way. In other words, the work supported here is upstream, enabling technology: it lays the groundwork that could later make targeted human applications feasible, but the supported studies themselves are preclinical and tool-focused.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement (U01), meaning NIH program staff typically have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard research project grant. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and spans NIH-related CFDA listings including 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867. The funding opportunity number is RFA MH 25 100, and the original closing date listed is 2025-01-17. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data, and the expected number of awards is also not listed there.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and governments as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO additionally calls out other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations. Overall, the program is structured to encourage wide participation in building scalable, cross-species reagent resources that can accelerate circuit- and cell-type-resolved neuroscience for the entire research community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Scaled reagent resources for brain cell type-specific access across vertebrate species (U01 Clinical Trial 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, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-17. (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 MH 25 100

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