The “Basic Neurodevelopmental Biology of Circuits and Behavior” R01 grant, managed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), supports research into the developmental and mechanistic relationships between brain circuit maturation and behavior across life stages in rodents and non-human primates. The FOA aims to advance foundational knowledge on how brain interactions and region-specific connections evolve over pre- and post-natal stages, facilitating the development of cognitive, emotional, and social functions. Projects should focus on neural trajectories, utilize in vivo neural measures in awake animals, and explore factors influencing these processes. The R01 mechanism allows for larger-scale and long-term projects, while its companion FOA (PAR-22-067) supports exploratory, high-risk R21 projects.

Eligible research must include three core experimental components: 1) the use of rodents or non-human primates, with clear justification of species choice based on mental health relevance; 2) examination of neurodevelopmental trajectories across at least three time points, from prenatal through early adulthood; and 3) concurrent behavioral and brain activity measures, with in vivo neural recordings in awake, behaving animals. Proposals may also employ computational models to define critical neurodevelopmental parameters or simulate behavioral outcomes, although primary tool development is not the focus of this FOA.

Specific areas of interest include studies that analyze neural circuits linked to attention, working memory, social cognition, emotion regulation, and reward processing across developmental stages. Other areas include examining the impacts of developmental changes in excitatory/inhibitory balance, analyzing neurodevelopmental experience effects, and exploring sensitive periods in brain development relevant to therapeutic interventions. Lower-priority topics include circuits associated with sensory or motor functions, neurodevelopmental impacts of approved drugs or environmental toxins, and studies focusing on early life stress, already well-represented in the NIMH portfolio.

The FOA accepts applications from a wide range of institutions, including domestic and foreign higher education entities, nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profit organizations. It also encourages applications from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and other underrepresented groups. Project budgets can reach up to $500,000 in direct costs annually, with a maximum project duration of five years, based on the scope of work and available NIH appropriations.

Review criteria focus on the project’s potential impact on neurodevelopmental science, with particular attention to relevance for mental health, innovation, and scientific rigor. Other evaluation factors include the investigator’s qualifications, the scientific environment, and plans to ensure data quality and reproducibility. Foreign institutions may apply, with reviewers assessing their unique capabilities that could benefit the U.S. research ecosystem.

Key dates follow NIH’s standard cycle, with the next submission windows ending February 5, June 5, and October 5 through January 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, and compliance with detailed instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is required. Failure to conform to these guidelines may result in delayed or rejected applications. Additional requirements include registrations in DUNS, SAM, eRA Commons, and a comprehensive data-sharing plan. Applicants may consult NIH resources or contact program officers for assistance in developing competitive proposals.