BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (U01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The BRAIN Initiative is offering a research grant titled 'Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain'. This grant calls for the collaboration of interdisciplinary teams to examine brain functions related to various behaviors using advanced technologies. Teams are encouraged to adopt a synergistic approach to their research design.

Successful grantees can expect to receive funding for up to 5 years, with the potential for one competitive renewal. The proposal should focus on investigating the fundamental principles of neural circuitry in relation to distinct neural systems that govern sensation, perception, emotion, motivation, cognition, decision-making, motor control, communication, and homeostasis. The researchers will be expected to understand these circuits within the central nervous system through active recording or manipulation of neural activity. This could involve controlling stimuli or behavior while studying the resultant behaviors or perceptions.

The experimental design of the projects should be guided by established theoretical constructs and the teams are encouraged to incorporate quantitative, mechanistic, and predictive models. The use of model systems, including multiple species from invertebrates to humans, is allowed, provided an appropriate justification is given.

The initiative proposes a need for a diverse research team comprising neurobiologists, statisticians, physicists, mathematicians, engineers, computer scientists, and data scientists, aiming to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Furthermore, recipients of the grants will be required to manage their data and analysis methods within a framework to be developed and used in their proposed project. The same would be shared with other BRAIN grant awardees for further refinement and development.