BRAIN Initiative Research Grants

Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization — Next Gen Sensor Technology Development

Supports neural behavior-sensing technology development through translational cooperative projects.

RFA-MH-26-140 is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative's Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization (BBQS) flagship program, with NIMH as lead Institute. It funds U01 cooperative research projects to develop next-generation sensor technologies capable of capturing high-resolution, multi-modal behavioral data synchronized in real time with neural activity recordings. The program also supports development of theoretical and computational frameworks needed to model neurobehavioral function in naturalistic, real-world settings—moving beyond constrained laboratory paradigms. As a U01 cooperative agreement, NIH maintains active involvement in shaping project direction and coordinating across the BBQS network.

Eligible applicants are U.S. universities and non-profit research organizations; for-profit entities and individual investigators are excluded from applying as primary recipients. The submission window extends through June 16, 2027, indicating that multiple annual cycles are planned. Specific award amounts are not listed in the structured record, but BBQS U01 grants have historically been substantial, reflecting the multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific scope required.

To be competitive, applicants should propose sensor systems that achieve meaningful improvements in behavioral tracking precision—covering modalities such as motion, physiological signals, or video-based pose estimation—while demonstrating clear integration with electrophysiological or imaging data streams. NIMH review panels will prioritize projects that articulate a rigorous synchronization strategy, address real-world feasibility, and contribute tools that can be broadly adopted by the BRAIN research community. Teams combining expertise in engineering, systems neuroscience, and computational modeling are best positioned to meet these expectations.