The "New Approaches for Measuring Brain Changes Across Longer Timespans (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" funding opportunity aims to foster the development of innovative methods to study brain development and aging across the lifespan. This initiative seeks multidisciplinary research efforts to improve the technological and conceptual capacity for longitudinal studies. Applicants are encouraged to focus on tracking neuroanatomical, functional, genomic, or other brain changes in humans or animals over extended periods. Emphasis is placed on identifying developmental origins of health and disease and predicting long-term outcomes related to cognition, motor function, and emotional regulation.

Applicants are required to address two main goals: (1) develop or enhance methods to enable better measurement of brain changes over long timespans and (2) demonstrate the utility of these methods through hypothesis testing. Proposed projects must include at least two time points from the same individual or animal, with the inclusion of early developmental or advanced age time points. Responsive projects may include advances in imaging, data harmonization, or molecular tracking, and require annual milestones and a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP).

This funding opportunity allows for human and animal research, with strong justification required for non-mammalian models. Examples of appropriate research include longitudinal neuroimaging improvements, computational tools for integrating time-based data, and methodologies linking cellular changes to behavior. Applications must avoid correlational-only studies and are expected to include hypothesis-driven components to demonstrate technological advances.

Eligible organizations include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, government entities, and foreign organizations. The maximum project period is five years, with budgets reflecting project needs. Applicants requesting over $500,000 in direct costs must contact NIH staff six weeks before submission. Registration in NIH systems such as SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons is required before applying.

Applications are reviewed on their significance, innovation, rigor, and alignment with project goals. The NIH will evaluate the potential for the proposed methods to advance brain research, the feasibility of implementation, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives through the PEDP. Specific institutes such as NIA, NICHD, NCI, and NIBIB may prioritize proposals aligned with their strategic goals, such as aging-related brain health, early brain development, or neuroimaging technologies.

Key dates include the earliest submission on January 5, 2025, with application deadlines in February, June, and October annually until May 2027. Successful applicants will provide regular updates on their PEDP and meet NIH reporting and data-sharing requirements. Contact information for scientific, financial, and administrative queries is provided in the funding announcement.