Utilizing Invasive Recording and Stimulating Opportunities in Humans to Advance Neural Circuitry Understanding of Mental Health Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to encourage applications for invasive neural recording studies that focus on mental health-related questions.

The goal is to advance the understanding of neural circuitry and dynamics associated with complex moods, emotions, cognitive functions, and behaviors. This initiative aims to fill a significant gap in scientific knowledge regarding neural circuit functions related to mental health disorders, leveraging high spatial and temporal resolution provided by invasive neural recordings.

Grant Details
The funding opportunity encourages researchers to conduct studies utilizing invasive neural recording modalities to explore mental health-relevant questions. Specific tasks include:
1. Conducting acute intra-operative recordings from single-unit or strip electrodes during surgeries.
2. Performing sub-acute recordings from patients with ECoG or stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) electrodes, assessing mood variations using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
3. Engaging in chronic recordings from DBS systems for patients implanted for clinical indications.
4. Utilizing Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-based circuit assessments.
5. Developing novel technological approaches for neural or behavioral recording and stimulation.
6. Collaborating across diverse scientific fields such as neurosurgery, electrophysiology, neuroscience, engineering, psychiatry, biostatistics, ethics, and psychology to enhance research rigor.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), local governments, state governments, tribal governments, and foreign organizations.

The NIH encourages applications from institutions that serve underrepresented populations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving Institutions.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period for this grant is 2 years.

Grant Value
The combined budget for direct costs may not exceed $275,000 over the two-year project period, with no more than $200,000 requested in any single year.