ZI Friday Funding Monthly Digest: Dr. Elizabeth Hillman wins large collaborative grant for BRAIN CONNECTS Center

By
V. Zhuravleva and A. Uhimov
October 20, 2023
ZI Friday Funding Monthly Digest: Dr. Elizabeth Hillman wins large collaborative grant for BRAIN CONNECTS Center
September 15, 2023͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏‌  ͏


Pre-Award and Research Development

October 20, 2023 

News and Updates

Congratulations, Dr. Hillman!


Dr. Elizabeth Hillman received an NIH BRAIN Initiative BRAIN CONNECTS UM1 to establish the comprehensive "Center for Large-scale Imaging of Neural Circuits (LINC)". This is a joint effort with Dr. Anastasia Yendiki (Mass General) and Dr. Suzanne Haber (University of Rochester). Read more about their effort here.

NIH announces a simplified review framework starting January 25, 2025.


The 5 current review criteria (Significance, Innovation, Approach, Investigator, and Environment) will be considered as 3 factors:


Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation), scored 1-9
Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach), scored 1-9
Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Investigator and Environment), rated sufficient or insufficient

Graduate Students: The HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program is now an open call application!


Unlike in previous years, the Gilliam Fellowship application is now unrestricted. 

Deadline: December 7, 2023.


Important eligibility information: U.S. citizen/permanent resident, or undocumented childhood arrival/DACA; second or third year Ph.D.; adviser-student pairs must be committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science.


Please email us if you are planning to apply.


Early-stage Postdocs: The Leon Levy Scholarship application is now open!


Deadline: December 6, 2023.


Important eligibility information: By the time of appointment (September 1, 2024), applicant must: 

Be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, or have a valid visa, or be an undocumented childhood arrival/DACA; and possess no more than three (3) years of cumulative postdoctoral experience


Please email us if you are planning to apply.


Advanced Postdocs: The Simons Foundation Independence Awards applications are now open!


Deadline: January 10, 2024.


Important eligibility information: Must be actively seeking and applying to tenure-track faculty positions between September 2024–May 2025; must be from diverse and/or under-represented groups (race, ethnicity, disadvantaged social and/or economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability status)


Three field-specific tracks: SFARI, SCGB, SCPAB


There will be an information session on November 2 from the Simons Foundation -- register here.


Please email us if you are planning to apply.



Weekly Office Hours

Every Thursday, 2:00-3:00 pm:

Meet the team and ask any questions during office hours on Thursdays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting. 

Schedule time to meet with the team

Congratulations to our recent award recipients!

September 16 - October 20, 2023

Established Investigator Awards

Mark Churchland: Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) Renewal "The Neural and Computational Basis of Motor Skills"


Elizabeth Hillman: NIH BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales UM1 "BRAIN CONNECTS: The center for Large-scale Imaging of Neural Circuits (LINC)" with Drs. Yendiki (Contact PI, Mass General) and Dr. Haber (MPI, University of Rochester)

Upcoming funding opportunities

Team Grants


Want to write a huge grant? Come talk to us about planning and executing team grant applications. Schedule a meeting with our team here!


New/Highlighted Team Grant Opportunities

  1. BRAIN Initiative U01: Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP: Team effort from 3-6 PIs to enable a large-scale analysis of neural systems and circuits within the context and during the simultaneous measurement of an ethologically relevant behavior. June 14, 2024
  2. BRAIN Initiative U19: Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP. Integrated, interdisciplinary research teams that focus on examining dynamic circuit functions related to behavior, using advanced and innovative technologies.September 13, 2024
  3. NINDS RM1: Collaborative Opportunities for Multidisciplinary, Bold, and Innovative Neuroscience (COMBINE). Integrated team effort from 3-6 PD/PIs who will each bring a distinct scientific viewpoint or expertise necessary to pursue the interdisciplinary approach. October 8, 2024

Established Investigators (view full list on our website)


New/Highlighted Funding Opportunities

  1. BRAIN Initiative R01: Integration and Analysis of BRAIN Initiative Data: June 7, 2024
  2. BRAIN Initiative R21: New Concepts and Early-Stage Research for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System: June 18, 2024
  3. BRAIN Initiative R01: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects - TargetedBCP. June 28 2024, October 2 2024
  4. BRAIN Initiative R34: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Planning Projects -TargetedBCPP. June 28 2024, October 2 2024

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

  1. NIH Parent R01: New: February 5, June 5, October 5; Renewal/Resubmission:
    November 5, March 5, July 5
  2. NIMH Basic Neurodevelopmental Biology of Circuits and Behavior  -  R01/R21: R01: February 5, June 5, October 5. R21: February 16, June 16, October 16
  3. NIMH Temporal Dynamics of Coordinated Neural Activity - R01/R21: R01: February 5, June 5, October 5. R21: February 16, June 16, October 16
  4. NIH Parent R21: New: February 16, June 16, October 16; Renewal/Resubmission: November 16, March 16, July 16
  5. NIH Diversity Supplement: Salary/stipend support for trainees at all career stages. Deadline varies by funding agency. (Quarterly, monthly, rolling)

Early Career Investigators (view full list and timeline on our website)

  1. Irma T. Hirschl Research Awards: Tenure-track assistant professor for at least a year; Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Appointment. Call for submissions expected: Early – Mid October. Internal application expected deadline: Late October
  2. McKnight Scholar Award: Must have an appointment as an assistant professor, and must have served at that rank for less than four years at the application deadline. Cannot apply more than twice for this award. January 15
  3. Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) R01: Provides support for the health-related research of scientists who are making a significant contribution to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and who have no current NIH research project grant funding. The ReWARD program provides funding for both the scientific research and the DEIA activities of investigators. February 5, June 5, October 5
  4. Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience: Maximum of four years between the completion of last postdoc and the application deadline.  February 15
  5. Feldstein Medical Research Grant: Assistant professor in VP&S, MSPH, or Nursing with a history of some prior funding. Call for submissions expected: January/February. Internal application: Late February

Post-Docs (view full list and timeline on our website)

  1. NSF SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF): Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. US Citizen/permanent residents only; Must have obtained a doctoral degree in the SBE sciences within the 3 years prior to the proposal deadline or will obtain a doctoral degree within 12 months after the proposal deadline but before the anticipated start date. November 1
  2. NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB): Biological sciences. US Citizen/permanent residents only; Cannot have worked in any position that requires the doctoral degree for a combined total of more than 15 full time months prior to the deadline. November 29
  3. NYAS Leon Levy Scholarships: By the time of appointment on September 1, 2024, you must: possess no more than three (3) years* of cumulative postdoctoral experience; conduct research in Neuroscience or one of its sub-disciplines; be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, or have valid J-1 or H-1B visa, or granted DACA, or temporary protected status. December 6
  4. NIH F32 NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship
  5. Simons Foundation Independence Awards (supports final 1-2 years of postdoc + 3 years of independent position). Applicants can apply under more than one category in the same application cycle. Must be from a background under-represented in the sciences. January 10
  6. Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program: To support the career development activities for underrepresented minority postdoctoral fellows. Must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen; must have no more than 48 months of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application and not be more than 5 years from Ph.D. Must be within an underrepresented group. January 18
    • 5 additional slots have been added for postdocs at NYC institutions (funded by the Charles H. Revson Foundation)
  7. Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship: Should have no more than 18 months of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the application deadline; Ph.D. degree must not have been conferred more than 24 months prior to the application deadline. February 1
  8. NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence (1-2 years of postdoc + 3 years of faculty funding)
    • NIH Parent K99/R00: Transition to faculty. International applicants eligible. 3rd - 4th year postdocs. New: February 12, June 12, October 12. Resubmission: November 12, March 12, July 12 

    • NIH MOSAIC K99/R00 : Transition to faculty. 3rd - 4th year postdocs under-represented in sciences (all women included). New:February 12, June 12, October 12; Resubmission: November 12, March 12, July 12

    • NIH BRAIN Initiative K99/R00: Transition to faculty. 3rd - 4th year postdocs under-represented in sciences (all women included). New: February 13, June 13, October 11; Resubmission: November 14, March 14, July 15
    • NIH HEAL Initiative K99/R00 or HEAL Initiative K99/R00 to Promote Diversity: Transition to faculty. International applicants eligible. Pain and substance use disorder research. 3rd - 4th year postdocs. For diversity track application, must be from a group under-represented in sciences (all women included), and U.S. citizen/permanent resident. New:February 9, June 11, October 11

  9. NIH K01 Career Development Award

    • NIH/NINDS K01: 2nd - 4th year postdocs. New:February 12, June 12, October 12. Renewal/Resubmission: November 12, March 12, July 12

    • NIH Parent K01: 2nd - 5+ year postdocs. New: February 12, June 12, October 12. Renewal/Resubmission: November 12, March 12, July 12

  10. Revson Foundation Biomedical Research Program: Must be third or fourth year postdoc. Goal of grant is to strengthen basic research in the biomedical sciences. Call for submissions expected: Late January. Internal application expected: Early February. Final proposal expected: Early March
  11. NIH Diversity Supplement: Salary/stipend support. For all career stages. Deadline varies by funding agency. (Quarterly, monthly, rolling)

   *Check with us regarding eligibility window extensions for NIH grants

Graduate Students (view full list and timeline on our website)

  1. NIH F31 or F31 Diversity NRSA: For U.S. citizens/permanent residents. December 8, April 8, August 8
  2. NIH Dissertation Grants
    • NIMH R36: Mental health research. Must be: U.S. Citizen/Permanent resident; from a background under-represented in the health sciences (race/ethnicity, disability, disadvantaged background); at the dissertation stage of training (must have an approved dissertation proposal at the time of award). December 11, April 10, August 9
    • NIDA R36: For substance-use disorder related dissertation research. Must be at the dissertation stage of training (must have an approved dissertation proposal at the time of award). February 16, June 16, October 16
    • NIA R36: For aging-related dissertation research. Must be: U.S. Citizen/Permanent resident; from a background under-represented in the health sciences (race/ethnicity, disability, disadvantaged background); at the dissertation stage of training (must have an approved dissertation proposal at the time of award). February 16, June 16, October 16
  3. NIH/NIA F99/K00: Transition to Aging Research for Predoctoral Students. must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident OR non-U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. visa; for grad students with 1.5-2 years left of PhD (typically 3rd or 4th year students). October 20
  4. Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: First or second year Ph.D.; Less than 31 years old; Must be an immigrant or child of immigrants; U.S. citizen/permanent resident, DACA, asylee, refugee. October 26
  5. Hertz Foundation Fellowship: Pre-grad or first year; U.S. citizen/permanent resident. Expected deadline: October 27
  6. HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program: U.S. citizen/permanent resident, or undocumented childhood arrival/DACA; second or third year Ph.D.; adviser-student pairs must be committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science. December 7
  7. NIH F99/K00 D-SPAN: Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience; must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident; for grad students from an under-represented backgrounds, with 1.5-2 years left of PhD (typically 3rd or 4th year students). December 15
  8. Ford Foundation Predoctoral or Dissertation Fellowship: U.S. citizens/nationals/permanent residents; individuals granted deferred action status under DACA (whether current or lapsed); Indigenous individuals exercising rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794; individuals granted Temporary Protected Status; asylees; and refugees; as of Fall 2023, must have 3+ years left in the program. Early-Mid December
  9. NIH Diversity Supplement: Salary/stipend support. For all career stages. Deadline varies by funding agency. (Quarterly, monthly, rolling)