Basic Neurodevelopmental Biology of Brain Circuits and Behavior (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 19 028

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 028

The grant opportunity "Basic Neurodevelopmental Biology of Brain Circuits and Behavior (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-028) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant aimed at supporting exploratory, early-stage projects that can clarify how brain circuitry develops and how those developmental changes give rise to behavior. It focuses specifically on basic neurodevelopmental biology, emphasizing mechanistic explanations of how interactions within and between brain regions evolve across prenatal and postnatal periods. The overarching intent is to create a stronger scientific foundation for understanding how maturing neural circuits enable the emergence of cognitive, affective (emotion-related), and social behaviors.

This FOA prioritizes studies that directly connect changes in brain circuits to changes in behavior over time, using developmental perspectives rather than treating the brain as a static system. Applicants are encouraged to investigate dynamic processes such as how connectivity patterns strengthen or weaken, how communication between regions becomes coordinated, and how developmental timing shapes circuit function. The research scope explicitly centers on animal models, particularly rodents and non-human primates, reflecting the FOA's interest in detailed circuit-level and developmental mechanisms that can be measured experimentally in ways that are not feasible in humans. Because it is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," the supported work must remain in the realm of basic and preclinical research rather than testing clinical interventions in human participants.

The funding mechanism is an NIH R21, which is commonly used to back innovative, high-impact ideas that may still be in an exploratory phase. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, consistent with the R21 structure that typically supports limited-scope projects designed to generate key proof-of-concept results, produce preliminary data, or open up new lines of inquiry. The activity category is Health, and the associated CFDA number is 93.242. While the source data does not specify the expected number of awards, the program is framed as a competitive NIH research grant opportunity.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based and international organizations. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit entities (including small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses). The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations may apply as well. It also notes eligibility for Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, further widening participation.

Key administrative details from the listing include an NIH creation date of October 17, 2018, and an original closing date of January 7, 2022. In practical terms, the program description communicates that NIH is seeking research that explains developmental cause-and-effect relationships: how circuit maturation drives behavioral milestones, how coordinated activity across brain regions emerges, and how those developmental trajectories support increasingly complex functions tied to thinking, emotion, and social interaction.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Neurodevelopmental Biology of Brain Circuits and Behavior (R21 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): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 19 028

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