Utilizing Invasive Recording and Stimulating Opportunities in Humans to Advance Neural Circuitry Understanding of Mental Health Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

grants.gov listing Full announcement (NOFO)

Dealbreakers No cost share required Audit: not stated Reimbursement-only: not stated

Award range: Up to $200,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Application deadline: Jan 7, 2028
Posted: Nov 22, 2024
Last verified: 2 days ago

At a glance

AI summary

This program funds research using invasive neural recording and stimulation in humans to study the brain circuitry of mental health disorders, with a focus on questions that could inform future treatments. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including nonprofits, colleges and universities, governments, small businesses, faith-based and community organizations, and foreign organizations. The award is an R21 grant with a combined direct-cost budget of up to $275,000 for 2 years, with no more than $200,000 in any single year. No cost sharing is required, and foreign organizations and foreign components are allowed.

AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement

What it funds

Health
Research & Discovery
Researchers & Scholars
Biomedical & Disease Research
Mental & Behavioral Health

Official description from grants.gov

Reissue of RFA-20-351.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 funding opportunity 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. Development of new technologies and therapies are outside the scope of this NOFO.

Who can apply

City or township governments
County governments
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Independent school districts
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
Others
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
Small businesses
Special district governments
State governments

Geographic restriction None found in the announcement — likely nationwide

Program history

USASpending.gov

Assistance listing 93.242 · Mental Health Research Grants

Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (93.242), not just this notice.

Fiscal year	Awards	Median award	Middle half
FY 2026 (so far)	491	$451,000	$167,702 – $811,948
FY 2025	600	$731,738	$320,544 – $1,460,736
FY 2024	883	—	—
FY 2023	898	—	—
FY 2022	986	—	—
FY 2021	945	—	—

For comparison, this notice advertises Up to $200,000.

Dollar figures are based on the 1,000 most recent awards we store, not all 4,803 — award counts are complete.

Who wins it Higher education (3,532), Nonprofit (816), Business (215) of 4,803 awards — categories can overlap.

Top states CA (166) · NY (127) · MA (104) · PA (79) · IL (22)

Largest recent awards

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY $21,714,815 · FY 2025
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE $19,515,757 · FY 2025
ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE $18,270,924 · FY 2025
DUKE UNIVERSITY $15,039,330 · FY 2025
ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI $12,007,972 · FY 2026

Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Aug 6, 2026