BRAIN Initiative: Transformative Brain Non-invasive Imaging Technology Development (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA EB 22 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EB 22 003

The BRAIN Initiative: Transformative Brain Non-invasive Imaging Technology Development (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity, issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under RFA EB 22 003, supports team-based projects aimed at creating and validating entirely new, non-invasive brain imaging technologies. The central goal is to push beyond incremental improvements and instead develop approaches that could substantially change how researchers measure brain function and connectivity. In practical terms, NIH is looking for proposals where engineers, physicists, neuroscientists, and other specialists work together to translate a bold imaging concept into something that operates as a real system, rather than remaining a theoretical idea or early benchtop demonstration.

This FOA uses a two-phase UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement structure, which is designed for higher-risk technology development with clear decision points. In the first phase (UG3), applicants are expected to demonstrate feasibility and reduce key technical risks. By the end of this initial phase, the project should have produced convincing evidence that the core concept works well enough to justify scaling into a true prototype. The second phase (UH3) is intended for the heavier lift: completing development into a functional prototype and then validating that prototype through in vivo imaging of brain function and/or connectivity in animals or humans. While human work may be involved, the announcement explicitly notes that clinical trials are not allowed, meaning the supported studies should focus on technology development and validation rather than testing clinical efficacy or therapeutic outcomes.

A major emphasis of the program is disciplined project management. Applications are expected to lay out a realistic development path with concrete milestones, measurable performance metrics, and a timeline that makes it clear what will be delivered and when. The UG3-to-UH3 transition is milestone-driven: feasibility in the first phase should provide the foundation for the go/no-go decision to move into the second phase. Applicants should therefore frame their plans around tangible outputs such as prototype components, system integration steps, performance benchmarks (for example, spatial/temporal resolution, sensitivity, depth, coverage, signal specificity, safety constraints, or usability), and a validation strategy that demonstrates the technology can actually capture meaningful brain function/connectivity information under real in vivo conditions.

Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH is likely to have substantial programmatic involvement compared with a standard research grant. Awardees will be integrated into the BRAIN Non-Invasive Imaging Consortium, a coordinated network focused on brain function and connectivity imaging. That consortium setting implies an expectation of coordination, sharing of progress, and alignment with broader BRAIN Initiative priorities, with projects contributing to a collective push toward next-generation, non-invasive neuroimaging capabilities.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organization types: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and additional categories explicitly noted such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, uses the cooperative agreement instrument, and is listed under multiple CFDA numbers associated with NIH programs. The original closing date in the provided record was 2023-10-13, and the listed award ceiling in the source data is $300,000.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Transformative Brain Non-invasive Imaging Technology Development (UG3/UH3 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 2023-01-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-10-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• 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 EB 22 003

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