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BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of Health · RFA-DC-27-004 · Deadline: February 11, 2027 · Advertised ceiling: $700k

Program-level history — this opportunity doesn't publish per-opportunity awards, so these numbers describe its parent program (CFDA 93.173, Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders), not this competition alone. Labeled that way on purpose.

Ask-amount guidance

Applicants here typically receive far less than the advertised ceiling: the program median is $430k against a $700k ceiling (61%). Budgets far above the median need a story; budgets far below leave money on the table.

Draw-down reality (program)

Across 98 completed awards in this program (FY2021+ sample, USAspending outlay records), grantees ultimately drew a median 93% of obligated funds. A median well under 100% means underspend or early closure is common here — worth knowing before promising a spend-down timeline.

Listing summary

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 …

Eligibility: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3), other than higher education, Nonprofits without 501(c)(3), Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others · Categories: Health · official listing ↗

Sources: NIH RePORTER (opportunity-exact) and USAspending (program-level), labeled per section. GrantsDue computes summaries only; verify anything critical against the originals. Methodology.