Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 17 230
The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) - Specialized Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U01) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-17-230) was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement designed to fund a large, coordinated effort to build a detailed reference atlas of mouse brain cell types. The core idea is to support a "Specialized Collaboratory" that can operate at scale, using standardized and efficient workflows to produce a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) map of brain cells in the mouse. This atlas is meant to integrate multiple layers of information about each cell type, including molecular characteristics (such as gene expression profiles and other molecular markers), anatomical location and structure (where cells sit in the brain and how they are organized), and physiological properties (how those cells function, including electrical or functional behaviors). The overall aim is not just to generate data, but to produce an organized, reference-quality resource that can serve as a foundation for many other neuroscience studies.
A major emphasis of the FOA is scalability and streamlining. Rather than funding isolated, one-off experiments, the announcement points toward platform-style approaches that can be expanded and repeated reliably, with workflows that are efficient enough to generate large volumes of high-quality, comparable data. In practical terms, that means developing or adopting technology pipelines that can consistently profile and classify brain cells across regions and potentially across developmental stages or conditions, while also linking those profiles back to 3D anatomical space and measurable physiological traits. The FOA also highlights the need to incorporate additional genetic and other advanced cell-specific targeting approaches and tools. This reflects a goal beyond cataloging: enabling researchers to label, access, manipulate, or experimentally target specific cell types once they are defined, which is essential for turning an atlas into a functional toolkit for the community.
This opportunity sits within a broader coordinated BICCN effort, with the FOA explicitly noting it is one of several companion announcements sharing a central goal: building a brain cell census resource that is broadly useful and widely used throughout the research community. That community-wide orientation is important because it signals expectations around interoperability, shared standards, and deliverables that others can reuse. Although the text provided does not spell out specific sharing requirements, BRAIN Initiative programs commonly push for rapid data release and community access, and the repeated emphasis on a widely usable "census resource" indicates that outputs were intended to be more than internal project products. The ultimate deliverable is a reference atlas that helps unify how scientists define brain cell types and compare findings across labs, technologies, and studies, using a shared framework anchored in molecular identity, spatial context, and physiological function.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary federal funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement (U01). A U01 mechanism typically indicates that NIH expects substantial scientific or programmatic involvement during the project, meaning the funded center would likely coordinate closely with NIH staff and other BICCN components. The activity category listed is Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services, and the associated CFDA numbers span multiple NIH institutes and programs (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), which reinforces that this was cross-cutting, multi-institute BRAIN Initiative-style work rather than a narrow single-discipline program. The FOA record shows it was created on 2016-10-19 with an original closing date of 2017-10-13. The source data does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so those details are not available from the provided excerpt.
Eligibility was broad and intentionally inclusive, covering many kinds of organizations that might contribute to large-scale atlas generation and tool development. Eligible applicants included state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly called out additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, that eligibility list suggests NIH was seeking to bring in a wide range of expertise, from advanced technology development and high-throughput data generation to neuroanatomy, physiology, genetics, and large-scale coordination and dissemination.
In plain terms, this FOA was about building a mouse brain cell atlas that is truly reference-grade: comprehensive, three-dimensional, multimodal (molecular, anatomical, physiological), and paired with modern cell-type-specific targeting tools so that the atlas can be used not only to describe brain organization but also to drive future experiments. The emphasis on a specialized center and collaboratory model indicates the work was expected to be coordinated, standardized, and large enough in scope to serve as a backbone resource for the broader neuroscience community.Apply for RFA MH 17 230
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) - Specialized Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BICCN Specialized Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U01) funding opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) to support a large, coordinated effort to build a detailed reference atlas of mouse brain cell types. The FOA is titled "The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) - Specialized Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U01)" and uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this FOA?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MH-17-230.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The main goal is to fund a specialized, coordinated center ("Specialized Collaboratory") to produce a comprehensive, reference-quality, three-dimensional (3D) mouse brain cell atlas that integrates multiple layers of information about brain cell types.
What is meant by a "Specialized Collaboratory" in this FOA?
In this context, a "Specialized Collaboratory" refers to a center designed to operate at scale and in coordination with the broader BICCN effort, using standardized and efficient workflows to generate large volumes of high-quality, comparable data for a mouse brain cell atlas.
What kinds of information are expected to be integrated into the mouse brain cell atlas?
The atlas is intended to integrate multiple modalities for each cell type, including molecular characteristics (such as gene expression profiles and other molecular markers), anatomical location and structure (where cells are located and how they are organized within the brain), and physiological properties (how cells function, including electrical or functional behaviors).
Why does the FOA emphasize a three-dimensional (3D) atlas?
The FOA highlights a 3D map so that molecularly defined cell types can be linked back to anatomical space, supporting an organized reference that shows where cells sit in the brain and how they relate to brain structure.
Is this FOA focused on one-off experiments or scalable production?
The FOA strongly emphasizes scalability and streamlining. It is oriented toward platform-style approaches and standardized pipelines that can be expanded and repeated reliably, rather than isolated, one-off experiments.
What does "reference-quality" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, "reference-quality" implies an organized, comprehensive resource intended to serve as a foundation for many neuroscience studies, enabling consistent definitions of cell types and comparisons across laboratories, technologies, and studies.
What kinds of approaches does the FOA encourage for generating and classifying brain cell types?
The FOA points toward technology pipelines and standardized workflows that can consistently profile and classify brain cells across brain regions and potentially across developmental stages or conditions, while linking profiles to 3D anatomical space and measurable physiological traits.
Does the FOA include tool development in addition to atlas generation?
Yes. The FOA highlights the need to incorporate additional genetic and other advanced cell-specific targeting approaches and tools, supporting the ability to label, access, manipulate, or experimentally target specific cell types once they are defined.
How does this FOA relate to the broader BICCN program?
This FOA is described as one of several companion announcements within a broader coordinated BICCN effort, all sharing a central goal of building a brain cell census resource that is broadly useful and widely used by the research community.
What is the intended end product or deliverable of the funded work?
The intended deliverable is a comprehensive, three-dimensional, multimodal mouse brain cell atlas that serves as a community resource and a shared framework for defining brain cell types using molecular identity, spatial context, and physiological function.
What does the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism imply for applicants and awardees?
A U01 cooperative agreement typically indicates that NIH expects substantial scientific or programmatic involvement during the project. For this FOA, that suggests the funded center would likely coordinate closely with NIH staff and other components of the BICCN program.
Which federal agency offered this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is described as an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement under the BRAIN Initiative.
When was this FOA created and what was the original closing date?
The FOA record indicates it was created on 2016-10-19 and had an original closing date of 2017-10-13.
Is the award ceiling or expected number of awards provided in the excerpt?
No. The provided information notes that the source data does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What activity category is listed for this funding opportunity?
The activity category listed is Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA numbers listed are 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867.
Does the excerpt indicate this was a single-institute program or a cross-cutting effort?
The excerpt frames it as cross-cutting and multi-institute in nature, consistent with a coordinated BRAIN Initiative-style program rather than a narrow, single-discipline effort.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are specific institution types like HBCUs or Hispanic-serving institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly lists faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions and regional organizations among eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly lists non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
Are eligible federal agencies included as applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes eligible federal agencies in the additional eligible applicant categories.
What is the scientific focus of the work funded by this FOA?
The scientific focus is to build a comprehensive mouse brain cell atlas that unifies cell type definitions and links molecular identity with anatomical location and physiological function, producing a reference resource for the broader neuroscience community.
Does the excerpt specify detailed data sharing timelines or requirements?
No. The excerpt notes that specific sharing requirements are not spelled out in the provided text, although it also states that BRAIN Initiative programs commonly push for rapid data release and community access and that the FOA repeatedly emphasizes producing a widely usable census resource.
What makes this opportunity different from smaller, investigator-led neuroscience projects?
Based on the provided information, the key difference is the scale and coordination: the FOA is designed to fund a specialized center capable of standardized, high-throughput, repeatable workflows that generate a community-facing, reference-grade atlas and associated targeting tools, rather than isolated datasets or single-lab outputs.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Brain Cell Data Center (U24) Apply for RFA MH 17 215 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 215 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) Comprehensive Center on Mouse Brain Cell Atlas (U19) Apply for RFA MH 17 225 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 225 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Proof of Concept Development of Early Stage Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R01) Apply for RFA EB 17 001 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01) Apply for RFA MH 17 260 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Development of Next Generation Human Brain Imaging Tools and Technologies (U01) Apply for RFA EB 17 002 Funding Number: RFA EB 17 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (U01) Apply for RFA NS 17 019 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP (U19) Apply for RFA NS 17 018 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects - TargetedBCP (R01) Apply for RFA NS 17 014 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01) Apply for RFA AI 16 082 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 082 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01) Apply for RFA AI 16 083 Funding Number: RFA AI 16 083 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH-DoD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory - Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA AT 17 001 Funding Number: RFA AT 17 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research To Address Sleep Disorders in the Context of Medical Rehabilitation (R01) Apply for PAR 17 163 Funding Number: PAR 17 163 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3) Apply for PAR 17 205 Funding Number: PAR 17 205 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44) Apply for PAR 17 201 Funding Number: PAR 17 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early - Stage Research for Large - Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) Apply for RFA EY 17 002 Funding Number: RFA EY 17 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 500 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 500 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to Facilitate High-Throughput Microconnectivity Analysis (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 505 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 505 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24) Apply for RFA NS 18 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Tools to target, identify and characterize non-neuronal cells in the brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 18 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy (R01) Apply for RFA HD 18 036 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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