BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
The primary goal of this R34 funding opportunity is to support planning and related activities that serve to develop a basic science research project that will be the basis of a competitive application for a U01 or similar NIH research award designed to address the following major objectives:
- Building an interdisciplinary, functionally diverse team including scientists and engineers with diverse life experiences and from diverse fields including, but not limited to, neuroethology, evolutionary biology, neurobiology, behavioral ecology, anthropology, the social sciences, cognitive neuroscience, neurocognitive development, biomechanics, bioengineering, human factors, and ethics; with the shared goal of integrating conceptual and methodological approaches to measuring and modeling behavior.
- Establishing the feasibility of the development, adaptation and/or validation of sensing technology that allows synchronous measurement of multiple variables that capture the multidimensional and dynamic nature of behavior as an integrated organismal system allowing animals, including humans, to interact with their social and/or physical environments. Research designs are expected to include minimally invasive, minimally intrusive, synchronous collection of environmental and behavioral data from individuals. Analysis across multiple timescales is strongly encouraged.
- Establishing the framework for a testable conceptual and/or predictive or testable statistical/computational model (including machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI) methods) that will integrate multimodal behavioral and environmental data across multiple temporospatial scales and will be designed with the capacity to integrate correlated neural data.
Developmental frameworks and comparative approaches are encouraged.
The specific objectives and activities for the proposed R34 planning project can include establishment of the research team, designing of the research, development of tools for behavioral measurement, data management and analysis and/or research oversight, establishment of data standards, validation of outcome measures, preparation and approval of protocols, and pilot studies to establish feasibility and/or to collect preliminary data necessary to support a competitive application for a U01 or similar NIH research award. Applications are not required to include preliminary data.
This R34 RFA is intended to stimulate fundamental basic research in a variety of animal models and humans; and while such research may generate insights relevant to neurobehavioral disorders, this RFA is not intended to stimulate research that is specifically disease related. NIH defines basic research consistent with the definition of basic research in federal code, “the systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind.” (32 CFR 272.3).
Application budgets should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $450,000. No more than $225,000 may be requested in any single year.
February 15, 2024
Holly Moore, PhD
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Phone: 301-827-7376
Email: holly.moore@nih.gov