BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 24 042

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NIH BRAIN Initiative funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the NIH BRAIN Initiative NOFO titled "Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization: Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-24-042. It uses the R34 mechanism, which is designed for early-stage, planning-focused work that sets up a larger, full research program later.

What is the main purpose of an R34 for this program?

The R34 is intended to help teams build the scientific and technical groundwork for a next-step, larger application (for example, a U01 or similar NIH award). The focus is on planning, development of the research framework, feasibility testing, validation, and generating technically qualifying results that de-risk a larger future effort.

What is the central scientific idea behind the program?

The program aims to support projects that can measure behavior in richer, more precise ways and then turn those measurements into integrated, dynamic models of behavior at the whole-organism level. The long-term direction is to enable stronger links between quantified behavior, context, and ultimately brain activity and neurobehavioral function.

What are the two main goals emphasized in the NOFO?

The NOFO is centered on two tightly linked goals: (1) advancing tools and methods for minimally invasive, multi-dimensional, high-resolution measurement of organism-level behavior while synchronizing those measurements with social and/or physical environmental context; and (2) developing data science and computational methods to integrate complex behavioral and environmental datasets across multiple timescales into conceptual and/or computational dynamic models of behavior.

What kinds of behavior measurement approaches does NIH want to see?

NIH is looking for minimally invasive approaches that can capture multi-dimensional, high-resolution organism-level behavior. Examples of the types of behavioral dimensions referenced include posture, movement dynamics, facial or body features, vocalizations, and other whole-organism readouts, collected with enough resolution to support quantitative modeling.

What does "multi-dimensional, high-resolution" mean in this context?

In this NOFO, "multi-dimensional" refers to capturing multiple behavioral features at the same time (not just a single metric or label). "High-resolution" refers to collecting data with sufficient detail to support serious quantitative modeling, rather than only coarse summaries or simple event categories.

What does "synchronization" mean for this opportunity?

Synchronization is a key emphasis: applicants are expected to capture behavior while also recording changes in the organism's social environment (such as interactions with other individuals) and/or physical environment (such as context, objects, or relevant environmental variables) at the same time. The intent is to preserve real behavioral context and time alignment across data streams.

Do projects have to measure both the social environment and the physical environment?

No. The NOFO describes synchronizing behavior with the organism's social environment and/or physical environment. That framing indicates the project may focus on one or the other, or both, as long as environmental context is captured in sync with behavior.

What is meant by "integrative models of behavior as a complex dynamic system"?

The program is pushing toward models that treat behavior as evolving over time, shaped by feedback loops, context dependence, and structured variability. The goal is not simply labeling behaviors or detecting isolated events, but building an organized conceptual and/or computational framework that integrates heterogeneous data streams into dynamic models.

Is this program mainly about collecting big datasets?

No. While data volume and complexity may be substantial, the NOFO specifically emphasizes that the goal is not merely to store or visualize large datasets. The priority is developing methods that can integrate heterogeneous behavioral and environmental data (potentially sampled at different rates and timescales) into a coherent framework and dynamic model.

How does this opportunity connect to neuroscience and the BRAIN Initiative?

Although the focus is organism-level behavior and environmental context, projects are expected to be designed so they can eventually integrate synchronously recorded neural data and/or directly inform existing models of neurobehavioral function, including BRAIN Initiative-supported work. Applicants are expected to think ahead about future compatibility with neural recording and alignment of timing and experimental structure.

Does the R34 project itself need to include neural recordings?

The information provided emphasizes forward compatibility and eventual integration with neural data, but also notes the R34 phase is primarily about planning and feasibility rather than a fully powered research study. Based on the description, neural recording is not presented as a strict requirement for the R34 phase, but projects should be designed with future neural integration in mind.

What types of outcomes are reviewers likely looking for in an R34 application?

Reviewers are expected to look for a credible plan to de-risk a future U01-scale (or similar) effort. This includes demonstrating that the measurement approach is practical and minimally invasive, that behavioral and environmental measures are reliable and meaningful, that synchronization is technically workable, and that the computational integration strategy is plausible and well-justified. The NOFO also emphasizes feasibility, validity, and other technically qualifying results.

What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean here?

"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose clinical trial elements if appropriate, but they are not required to include a clinical trial. The option is available, but not mandatory.

What is the PEDP, and is it required?

The Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) is a major compliance requirement in this NOFO and is not optional. NIH states the PEDP will be evaluated as part of peer review, and any application that does not include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and withdrawn.

How is the PEDP evaluated?

Based on the NOFO description provided, the PEDP is evaluated as part of peer review. It must be included, and failure to include it results in the application being treated as incomplete and withdrawn.

What kinds of PEDP elements does NIH encourage?

The NOFO encourages applicants to explain how the project will incorporate diverse perspectives in ways that strengthen the science. Examples mentioned include team composition, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, training and mentoring structures, data practices, and research design choices that broaden relevance and participation.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-DA-24-042.

What is the listed closing date?

The original closing date listed is 2024-02-15.

What is the award ceiling for this R34?

The award ceiling is $450,000, which reflects the expected maximum budget level for the planning and early development effort rather than a large-scale research buildout.

What CFDA program areas are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity spans multiple CFDA program areas, including 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867, reflecting cross-cutting relevance.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. and non-U.S. organization types that meet NIH eligibility rules. Eligible applicants include various government entities (state, county, city, township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible applicants under NIH rules.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?

Yes. The NOFO explicitly includes non-domestic entities (foreign organizations) among the eligible or encouraged applicant categories, consistent with the broad eligibility described.

Are certain institution types explicitly called out as eligible or encouraged?

Yes. The NOFO explicitly calls out additional eligible or encouraged categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and tribal governments other than federally recognized.

Why is eligibility so broad for this program?

The broad eligibility aligns with the program's emphasis on diverse perspectives (including the PEDP requirement) and the practical need for interdisciplinary teams that can combine behavioral measurement, engineering, computation, and neuroscience-relevant planning for future integration.

How should applicants think about the transition from R34 to a larger award?

The opportunity is framed as a structured on-ramp: use the R34 to plan, prototype, validate, and demonstrate feasibility for synchronized, high-resolution behavioral and environmental quantification and integrated modeling, then use those results to compete for a larger award (such as a U01) that can scale tools, datasets, and models and connect them more directly to neural measurements and neurobehavioral theory.