BRAIN Initiative: Promoting Equity Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships (R34) is a grant from NIH BRAIN Initiative that funds partnerships between resource-limited institutions and BRAIN technology developers to increase equitable access to cutting-edge neuroscience tools.

The program supports dissemination and adoption of BRAIN Initiative tools at underserved institutions, strengthening research capacity and broadening participation in neuroscience. Eligible applicants include universities and institutions eligible for NIH funding, with particular emphasis on resource-limited institutions. Awards approximate $450,000 over three years under the R34 mechanism.

Applications are due by June 18, 2026.

RFA-NS-25-016: BRAIN Initiative: Promoting Health for All Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships (R34 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission. Department of Health and Human Services Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating Organizations National Institute of Neurological Disorders and National Eye Institute ( NEI ) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism ( NIAAA ) National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering ( NIBIB ) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ( NICHD ) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ( NIDCD ) National Institute on Drug Abuse ( NIDA ) National Institute of Mental Health ( NIMH ) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health ( NCCIH ) All applications to this funding opportunity announcement should fall within the mission of the Institutes/Centers.

The following NIH Offices may co-fund applications assigned to those Institutes/Centers. Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research ( OBSSR ) Funding Opportunity Title BRAIN Initiative: Promoting Health for All Through BRAIN Technology Partnerships (R34 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities.

Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission. April 4, 2024 - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025. See Notice NOT-OD-24-084 .

August 31, 2022 - Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans Included with Applications Due on or after January 25, 2023. See Notice NOT-OD-22-198 . August 5, 2022 - Implementation Details for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy.

See Notice NOT-OD-22-189 . Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Companion Funding Opportunity See Part 2, Section III. 3.

Additional Information on Eligibility. Assistance Listing Number(s) 93. 853, 93.

866, 93. 242, 93. 173, 93.

865, 93. 867, 93. 286, 93.

279, 93. 273, 93. 213 Funding Opportunity Purpose This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is intended for investigators at institutions that have not previously been major recipients of NIH funding (resource limited institutions).

The goal is for these investigators to adopt and integrate BRAIN Initiative resources into their line of research. Applications are limited to utilizing well-developed, well-validated resource(s) described on this list of NIH BRAIN Initiative U24 Programs or this list of BRAIN Initiative Alliance Developed Resources and Tools .

This R34 NOFO is intended to support two-way knowledge transfer between the Principal Investigator (PI) and BRAIN disseminator and to increase the use of BRAIN Initiative relevant resources at resource-limited institutions (RLIs). The PI from an RLI will collaborate with a BRAIN disseminator providing one of the resources from the list above to adopt the resource while working towards sustained integration.

Activities may include investigator-initiated exploratory, pilot efforts which lay the groundwork and establish feasibility or validity for future larger-scale research projects utilizing the resource and/or innovative dissemination of the resource at the RLI with a plan for long-term integration into training programs.

Funding Opportunity Goal(s) To provide support for initiatives funded under the 21st Century Cures Act to support the BRAIN Initiative’s aim of revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain.

By accelerating the development and application of innovative technologies, researchers will be able to produce a revolutionary new dynamic picture of the brain that, for the first time, shows how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact in both time and space.

Long desired by researchers seeking new ways to treat, cure, and even prevent brain disorders, this picture will fill major gaps in our current knowledge and provide unprecedented opportunities for exploring exactly how the brain enables the human body to record, process, utilize, store, and retrieve vast quantities of information, all at the speed of thought.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision, as allowed All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced.

Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

There are several options available to submit your application through Grants. gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners. You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity.

Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants. gov and eRA Commons to track your application.

Check with your institutional officials regarding availability. Workspace to prepare and submit your application and eRA Commons to track your application. Part 1.

Overview Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description Section II.

Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V.

Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII.

Other Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description The overall goals of this NOFO are to accelerate the scientific impact and broad research adoption of validated BRAIN Initiative-relevant resources and provide PIs at RLIs the opportunity to integrate these resources into their own research and training programs.

These goals will be accomplished through mentored adoption, thoughtful bidirectional active collaboration, and knowledge transfer between investigators from RLIs and BRAIN technology disseminators. This collaboration should center on potential and capabilities of both parties as opposed to deficits.

To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this NOFO will support novel investigator-initiated exploratory efforts utilizing validated BRAIN-relevant resources, with collaborative user feedback to the BRAIN disseminator to enable broader dissemination of the resource.

The primary focus of activities will be: Establishing feasibility and validity for subsequent research projects (e.g. R01 or other investigator-initiated studies) involving the BRAIN Initiative resource at the RLI. Innovative dissemination of the resource at the RLI via integration into training programs.

The expectation is that the collaboration allows the PI to expand their research capabilities, leverage the technology and address a research problem in a way which could not be reasonably implemented without funding through this program. Participating components of this program must include, as key personnel : The user: An investigator from a resource limited institution (RLI), defined here as RPG funding <7.

5 million TC/year in 4 of the last 7 years, and A BRAIN Initiative disseminator: An individual with expertise on the resource and history of disseminating - may be inventor, resource contact, or project/program manager.

The disseminator will provide a well validated, well-developed, ready to disseminate resource which is described on this list of NIH BRAIN Initiative U24 Programs and/or this list of BRAIN Initiative Alliance Developed Resources and Tools .

The focus of this program is supporting collaborations and knowledge transfer as opposed to large capacity building efforts, and it is expected that a majority of the budget and activities will reflect this. Funded activities may include travel and training, reagent costs, as well as student participation in the execution, analysis, and reporting of the research.

Minor adaptations or enhancements of the resource to meet the needs of the user would be allowed but the focus for this opportunity is not significant technology or software development of the resource. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Scientific/Research Contact listed below to discuss the alignment of their proposed work with the goals of this NOFO and the BRAIN Initiative.

Since 2014, the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative has aimed to accelerate the development and application of innovative neurotechnologies, enabling researchers to produce a new dynamic picture of the brain that reveals how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact in both time and space.

It is expected that these advances will ultimately lead to new ways to treat and prevent brain disorders. The NIH encourages businesses to participate in the BRAIN Initiative. It is possible for companies to submit applications directly to BRAIN Initiative program announcements or to collaborate with academic researchers in joint submissions.

Small businesses should consider applying to one of the BRAIN Initiative small business NOFOs The BRAIN Initiative requires a high level of coordination and sharing between investigators.

It is expected that BRAIN Initiative recipients will cooperate and coordinate their activities after awards are made by participating in Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) meetings and in other activities such as the BRAIN Initiative Conference. The data sharing expectations for BRAIN Initiative awards can be found at NOT-MH-19-010 .

This NOFO is related to the recommendations in the BRAIN 2025 (Section III, Part 8b) and the BRAIN Initiative 2. 0: From Cells to Circuits, Toward Cures (Priority Area 8, Section III) Reports. Specifically, this NOFO solicits applications that will address the recommendations in “Dissemination and training in new technologies" As noted in the BRAIN 2.

0 report new tools and new knowledge should be shared broadly to maximize the value of the BRAIN Initiative and to seed new paths of inquiry. This program would support PIs at RLIs studying the development, structure, and function of the normal nervous system as well as those studying disease relevant mechanisms.

This program would also support PIs at RLIs focused on addressing brain health challenges faced by populations that experience health disparities and ensuring that advances and novel tools in neurotechnology are developed with consideration for utility across all populations.

Applications Not Responsive to this NOFO: Applications that propose utilization of resources not described in this list of NIH BRAIN Initiative U24 Programs and/or this list of BRAIN Initiative Alliance Developed Resources and Tools at time of application. Projects focused on developing novel and unproven technologies. Projects that support clinical trials or provide patient services.

Applicants considering such efforts are encouraged to explore alternative funding mechanisms. Projects that do not list an individual associated with disseminating the BRAIN Initiative relevant resource as key personnel. Applications considered non-responsive will be withdrawn prior to review.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations. Section II.

Award Information Grant: A financial assistance mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity. Application Types Allowed The OER Glossary and the How to Apply Application Guide provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO.

Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials. Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial? Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards Issuing IC and partner components intend to commit an estimated total of $1.

8 M to fund 4 awards. Direct costs limited to $225,000 per year and $450,000 over the 3-year project period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 3 years.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO. Section III.

Eligibility Information Higher Education Institutions Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses) City or Township Governments Special District Governments Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized).

Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession Independent School Districts Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations This funding opportunity announcement is limited to institutions of higher education that: 1) award undergraduate (B. S. or B.

A.) and/or graduate degrees in biomedical sciences; and 2) at the time of the application, have received no more than $7. 5 million dollars per year (total costs) from NIH Research Project Grants (RPGs) in four of the last seven preceding fiscal years, calculated using NIH RePORTER Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement , are allowed. Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply-Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award.

All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.

3. 9. 2 Electronically Submitted Applications .

System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually . The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.

NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) - A UEI is issued as part of the SAM. gov registration process.

The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants. gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission.

eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application. Grants. gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.

gov registration. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.

If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator) Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the How to Apply- Application Guide. This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1. 2 Definition of Terms .

3. Additional Information on Eligibility Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct. The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time, per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.

3. 7. 4 Submission of Resubmission Application .

This means that the NIH will not accept: A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application. A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.

An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2. 3. 9.

4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications ). Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1.

Requesting an Application Package The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants. gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.

gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution. 2.

Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced.

Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. All page limitations described in the How to Apply- Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed, with the following exceptions: For this specific NOFO, the Research Strategy section is limited to 6 pages.

Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply- Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO. All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Other Project Information All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed. Applicants must document, in the biosketch of the BRAIN Initiative technology disseminator, a history of service-oriented efforts outside the needs of their own research programs.

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed. All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed. With the additional instructions: It is expected that the BRAIN Initiative resource disseminator, who may be project management personnel, is included as a subaward.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: The research strategy will be limited to 6 pages The application must describe how it will accelerate the scientific impact and broad research adoption of validated BRAIN Initiative resources through a collaborative partnership between an RLI investigator(s) and BRAIN disseminator(s).

The application must describe the general rationale and the mutual benefits that the investigator(s) and disseminator(s) expect to derive from the partnership. The application must describe the status of the technology and readiness for broad dissemination, if/how the technology has been validated, and describe how the selected BRAIN Initiative resource provides value beyond currently available facilities and services at the RLI.

The application must describe how the aims and approach of the proposed R34 will: Establish feasibility, validity or other technically qualifying results that, if successful, would support and/or enable, subsequent research project(s) using the selected BRAIN Initiative resource Describes how trainees at the RLI will gain an understanding of the uses and limitations of the BRAIN Initiative resource and hands-on training on how to rigorously execute, analyze and report research using the resource.

Preliminary data utilizing the BRAIN resource in the RLI lab is not required for this application and, in fact, is discouraged. Rather, this mechanism seeks to support new collaborations, innovative research ideas and novel, thoughtful plans for training. The application must indicate how the proposed R34 application will enable novel, sustained integration of the proposed resource into research practice.

This may include novel, sustained integration into research in the contact PI’s lab, their institution, or at other institutions.

In applications where the focus of activities is on training, a specific plan must be provided on the sustainability of such training, and on the dissemination nationally of findings resulting from or materials developed under the auspices of research education, e.g., sharing course curricula and related materials via web postings, presentations at scientific meetings, workshops, collaborative partnerships with other institutions to further disseminate materials.

In relevant cases, programs are expected to make outcomes publicly available and are expected to disseminate successful research education practices, and lessons learned, to the broader community. The application must also describe specific measurable milestones and a timeline to support the goal of dissemination and integration of the resource.

Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide.

All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan.

All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Appendix: Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply- Application Guide.

No publications or other material, with the exception of blank questionnaires or blank surveys, may be included in the Appendix.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-definedclinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply- Application Guide, with the following additional instructions: If you answered “Yes” to the question “Are Human Subjects Involved?

” on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record. Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed. PHS Assignment Request Form All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 2. Section III.

1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants. gov. 4. Submission Dates and Times Part I.

Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday , the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants. gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

NIH and Grants. gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.

gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.

3. 9. 2 Electronically Submitted Applications .

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission. Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide. 5.

Intergovernmental Review (E. O. 12372) This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement . Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7. 9.

1 Selected Items of Cost. 7. Other Submission Requirements and Information Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide .

Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III.

Eligibility Information contains information about registration. For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide . If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance.

For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII . All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form . Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements. The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the How to Apply - Application Guide .

See more tips for avoiding common errors. Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200. 113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.

1. 35 . Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at [email protected] .

Post Submission Materials Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy Section V. Application Review Information Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following scored review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed). An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have a major scientific impact.

Reviewers will consider Factors 1, 2 and 3 in the determination of scientific merit, and in providing an overall impact score. In addition, Factors 1 and 2 will each receive a separate factor score. Factor 1: Importance of the Research Evaluate the importance of the proposed research in the context of current scientific challenges and opportunities, either for advancing knowledge within the field, or more broadly.

Assess whether the application addresses an important gap in knowledge in the field, would solve a critical problem, or create a valuable conceptual or technical advance. Evaluate the rationale for undertaking the study, the rigor of the scientific background for the work (e.g. prior literature and/or preliminary data) and whether the scientific background justifies the proposed study.

Evaluate the extent to which innovation influences the importance of undertaking the proposed research. Note that while technical or conceptual innovation can influence the importance of the proposed research, a project that is not applying novel concepts or approaches may be of critical importance for the field.

Evaluate whether the proposed work applies novel concepts, methods or technologies, or uses existing concepts, methods, technologies in novel ways, to enhance the overall impact of the project. Specific for this NOFO: : Evaluate the likelihood of sustained integration of the proposed resource into research practice.

Evaluate if the technical resource is developed to an appropriate stage (e.g. validation has been performed) that the technology is ready for dissemination to this user. Evaluate if the collaboration enables novel and innovative research and/or training that otherwise would not be feasible in the absence of this mechanism. Factor 2.

Rigor and Feasibility Evaluate the scientific quality of the proposed work. Evaluate the likelihood that compelling, reproducible findings will result (rigor) and assess whether the proposed studies can be done well and within the timeframes proposed (feasibility). Evaluate the potential to produce unbiased, reproducible, robust data.

Evaluate the rigor of experimental design and whether appropriate controls are in place. Evaluate whether the sample size is sufficient and well-justified. Assess the quality of the plans for analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results.

Evaluate whether the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex or age, in the design, analysis, and reporting. For applications involving human subjects or vertebrate animals, also evaluate: the rigor of the intervention or study manipulation (if applicable to the study design). whether outcome variables are justified.

whether the results will be generalizable or, in the case of a rare disease/special group, relevant to the particular subgroup. whether the sample is appropriate and sufficiently diverse to address the proposed question(s). For applications involving human subjects, including clinical trials, assess the adequacy of