The funding opportunity "Cellular and Molecular Biology of Complex Brain Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It aims to support research exploring the biology of high-confidence risk factors for complex brain disorders, focusing on intracellular, transcellular, and circuit-level neural functions. Disorders of interest include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, and autism. The research should investigate the biological effects of specific risk factors rather than modeling the disorders themselves. It encourages hypothesis-generating or hypothesis-testing studies utilizing various experimental paradigms and seeks to elucidate the connections between disease risk factors and neurobiological mechanisms to advance therapeutic target identification.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to leverage recent advances in genetic, molecular, and cellular neuroscience to understand how high-confidence genetic and environmental risk factors impact brain biology. This research will focus on identifying molecular and cellular mechanisms and their roles in biological processes, with the ultimate goal of closing the gap between genetic discoveries and actionable therapeutic interventions. Dissemination of findings through common and federated data resources is also expected, enabling the broader research community to benefit from the results.

Funding is offered through R01 Research Project Grants, with no limits on the application budget. Budgets must reflect the actual needs of the project. The maximum project period is five years. Applications proposing clinical trials will not be accepted. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local and state governments, tribal governments, and foreign organizations. Applicants must complete several registrations, such as with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, before submission.

Key application dates include an open submission period starting January 5, 2025, with due dates on February 5, June 5, and October 5 annually until September 8, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically, and applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for corrections. Research plans must conform to specific guidelines, emphasizing rigorous experimental designs, justification for selected risk factors, and data management and sharing plans aligned with NIH policies.

Evaluation of applications will be based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and investigator expertise. Priority will be given to projects with sound experimental design, robust statistical methodologies, and the potential to generate reproducible and meaningful data. Applications will undergo a two-level review process, with final funding decisions based on scientific merit, program priorities, and availability of funds.

For questions or assistance, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the listed program, peer review, or grants management staff. Full details on submission, review, and award requirements are available through the NIH Grants Policy Statement and related notices.