BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Comprehensive Center on Human and Non-human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA MH 21 235

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 21 235

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Comprehensive Center on Human and Non-human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) grant opportunity (RFA-MH-21-235) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to fund a set of large, coordinated “Comprehensive Centers” that will build detailed, high-resolution brain cell atlases, primarily focused on humans while also incorporating non-human primate data. The central purpose is to generate widely usable reference atlases that map and define brain cell types across molecular and anatomical dimensions, so that the broader research community can rely on a shared foundational framework when studying normal brain function as well as neurological and psychiatric disorders.

At the core of the FOA is an expectation that funded centers will operate at scale and with consistency, using technology platforms that can be expanded efficiently and applied across many samples. The centers are meant to use streamlined tissue sampling approaches and an “assay cascade,” meaning a coordinated, multi-step set of measurements that can characterize brain cells with increasing depth and resolution. In practical terms, this implies integrated workflows that may combine multiple complementary methods to identify and classify cells, link molecular signatures to anatomical locations, and ensure that the resulting atlas is granular enough to distinguish fine subtypes and states rather than only broad categories.

The scientific deliverable emphasized by the announcement is comprehensive cell-type characterization across the full range of brain cell classes. That includes neurons, glial cells, and other non-neuronal populations, with the expectation that these groups are mapped in a high-resolution way rather than treated as a few coarse buckets. The intent is not simply to produce isolated datasets, but to build coherent “reference” atlases that can serve as a common coordinate system for later work, such as comparing disease versus control tissue, interpreting model system findings in a human context, or connecting cellular identities to circuits and brain regions.

This opportunity uses the UM1 mechanism, which signals a cooperative agreement rather than a standard research project grant. In a cooperative agreement, NIH typically has substantial programmatic involvement, and awardees generally participate in coordinated network activities, shared standards, and community-facing deliverables. The FOA is explicitly labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” indicating that the supported work should not involve clinical trial activities as defined by NIH, and is instead centered on atlas construction and related foundational research activities.

In terms of scope and community impact, the BICAN program goal described here is to produce brain cell atlases that will be broadly used across neuroscience. The atlases are positioned as a molecular and anatomical foundation: molecular in the sense of defining cell identities through detailed biological measurements, and anatomical in the sense of anchoring those identities to where they exist within brain structures. The anticipated value is that a shared atlas resource helps researchers compare results across studies, align terminology for cell types, and build stronger links between cellular composition and brain function or dysfunction.

Eligibility is broad and includes many categories of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed include 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities.

Administrative details provided in the source include the opportunity category as discretionary, the funding instrument type as a cooperative agreement, and the activity category spanning education, health, and income security/social services. The announcement lists multiple CFDA numbers associated with NIH programs (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867). The original closing date shown is 2021-11-09, and the creation date is 2021-07-27. An award ceiling and expected award count are not specified in the provided text.

• 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 Atlas Network (BICAN): Comprehensive Center on Human and Non-human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2021-07-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-09. (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.

Apply for RFA MH 21 235

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