BRAIN Initiative: Marmoset Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Background
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the creation of a Marmoset Coordination Center as part of the BRAIN Initiative. The goal of the BRAIN Initiative is 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. The NIH BRAIN Initiative recognizes that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogeneous teams.

Grant Details
The recipient will be responsible for two separate but related activities. The first activity will be to become the repository for genomic, pedigree, and event records for captive marmosets. The recipient will also coordinate with marmoset breeding centers and perform genome sequencing of marmosets.

The second major activity of the recipient will be to maintain a website and an information support center to assist neuroscience researchers who are used to working with other animal models so that they may assess the utility of including marmosets in their scientific research program.

Eligibility Requirements
All organizations administering an eligible parent award may apply for a supplement under this NOFO. This includes higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, federally recognized Indian/Native American tribal governments, and others as listed in the document.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is expected to start on March 1, 2024, with an earliest start date of March 1, 2024. The project period is expected to be up to 5 years.

Grant Value
The estimated total funding commitment is $800,000 to fund 1 award in FY 2025. Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Place of Performance
The focus for the effort will begin with marmoset colonies in the United States. However, applicants are encouraged to extend coordination activities to significant marmoset colonies in other countries.