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.Apply for RFA EB 22 003
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the BRAIN Initiative: Transformative Brain Non-invasive Imaging Technology Development (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under RFA EB 22 003. It supports team-based projects to create and validate entirely new, non-invasive brain imaging technologies.
What is the main goal of the program?
The central goal is to push beyond incremental improvements and develop approaches that could substantially change how researchers measure brain function and connectivity. NIH is looking for bold concepts that can be translated into a real operating system, not just a theory or early benchtop demonstration.
What kinds of projects are a good fit?
Projects are expected to focus on transformative, non-invasive imaging technology development. The emphasis is on building and validating a novel imaging approach that can capture meaningful brain function and/or connectivity information under real in vivo conditions (in animals or humans).
Is this meant for incremental upgrades to existing imaging methods?
No. The program is explicitly oriented toward entirely new, transformative non-invasive imaging technologies rather than incremental improvements to existing tools.
Does NIH expect team-based, interdisciplinary work?
Yes. The opportunity highlights that engineers, physicists, neuroscientists, and other specialists should work together to translate a bold imaging concept into a functional system.
What funding mechanism is used?
This FOA uses a UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement structure. It is designed for higher-risk technology development with defined decision points between phases.
What is the UG3 phase intended to accomplish?
UG3 is the first phase focused on demonstrating feasibility and reducing key technical risks. By the end of UG3, the project should provide convincing evidence that the core concept works well enough to justify scaling into a true prototype.
What is the UH3 phase intended to accomplish?
UH3 is the second phase intended for completing development into a functional prototype and validating that prototype through in vivo imaging of brain function and/or connectivity in animals or humans.
How does the transition from UG3 to UH3 work?
The transition is milestone-driven. Feasibility results and milestone completion in UG3 serve as the basis for a go/no-go decision to move into UH3.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. The FOA explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." Studies should focus on technology development and validation, not testing clinical efficacy or therapeutic outcomes.
Can human subjects be involved at all if clinical trials are not allowed?
Yes. The announcement notes that validation can involve in vivo imaging in animals or humans, but the work must remain technology development and validation rather than a clinical trial evaluating clinical outcomes.
What does "validation" mean in this context?
Validation refers to demonstrating that the developed prototype can actually capture meaningful brain function and/or connectivity information under real in vivo imaging conditions (animal or human), consistent with the program's focus on non-invasive imaging technology.
What kinds of milestones and metrics are expected in the application?
Applications are expected to include concrete milestones, measurable performance metrics, and a realistic timeline. Examples of performance benchmarks mentioned include spatial resolution, temporal resolution, sensitivity, depth, coverage, signal specificity, safety constraints, and usability.
What kinds of deliverables should applicants plan to produce?
The FOA emphasizes tangible outputs such as prototype components, system integration steps, performance benchmarks, and a validation strategy that demonstrates real in vivo measurement of brain function/connectivity.
Why does the FOA emphasize project management?
Because this program targets higher-risk, transformative technology development, NIH places strong emphasis on disciplined project management with clear milestones, metrics, and decision points to guide development from feasibility to prototype validation.
What does it mean that this is a "cooperative agreement"?
A cooperative agreement implies substantial NIH programmatic involvement compared with a standard research grant. The FOA indicates NIH is likely to be more involved in coordination and oversight as projects progress.
Will awardees be part of any larger program or network?
Yes. Awardees will be integrated into the BRAIN Non-Invasive Imaging Consortium, a coordinated network focused on brain function and connectivity imaging, with expectations for coordination, sharing progress, and alignment with broader BRAIN Initiative priorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, including (as listed in the opportunity): 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) and small businesses; 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.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) entities.
Are tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, and also references Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically included?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly notes categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
What type of funding is this categorized as?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the cooperative agreement instrument.
What is the opportunity identifier referenced in the description?
The description cites NIH RFA EB 22 003 as the funding opportunity announcement identifier.
What is the listed closing date for this opportunity in the provided record?
The original closing date shown in the provided record is 2023-10-13.
What is the listed award ceiling in the source data?
The listed award ceiling in the source data is $300,000.
Does the opportunity mention CFDA numbers?
Yes. It is listed under multiple CFDA numbers associated with NIH programs (the specific numbers are not provided in the text you supplied, only that multiple CFDA numbers apply).
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