ZI Friday Funding Monthly Digest: Three NIH F31s, a Simons Fellows-to-Faculty award, and two faculty research grants!

Helena (Lanie) Bachmann: NIH/NINDS 1F31NS151579-01 "Individual Differences in Dopamine-Dependent Learning and Decision-making in Parkinson's Disease" (Shohamy Lab)

Frankie Garcia: NIH/NIA 1F31AG099663-01A1 "Epigenetic Regulation of Microglial Identity and Function by ARID5B in Alzheimer's Disease" (De Jager Lab)

Kayla Pauers: NIH/NIA 1F31AG099704-01 "Control of synapse function by aging-related Pumilio 2 upregulation" (Hengst Lab)

Mauro Miguel Monsalve Mercado: Simons (SCPAB) Fellows to Faculty award "Mechanistic Neural Geometry: Linking Biology to Cognition in the Aging Brain" (Miller Lab)

Stefano Fusi & C. Daniel Salzman: NIH/NIMH 1R01MH141076-01A1 "Representational geometry reveals the neural and computational basis of neural circuit specialization in basolateral amygdala."

Nate Sawtell: United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation #2025352 "Circuit Mechanisms of Active Sensing in the Midbrain of Electric Fish" (with Dr. Avner at Technion).

• Computational Modeling of Complex Processes Across Biological Scales

• Computational Approaches in Fundamental Neuroscience

• BRAIN Initiative: Data Knowledgebase Ecosystem and NeuroAI Integration

• Fundamental Science Research on the Neural Circuits Underlying Sensory Processing

• Novel Circuits and Mechanisms Modulating Sensory Integration and Addiction

• BRAIN Initiative: Advancing Human Neuroscience and Precision Molecular Therapies for Transformative Treatments

• Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders

• Priority Research Questions in Fundamental Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

• Understanding and Combating Chronic Disease Burden: The Role of Trauma
• Accelerating Disease Prevention Research by New Approach Methodologies

• Breaking Barriers: Integrating Immunology and Neuroscience to Transform AD/ADRD Research and Bring a Better Understanding of the Aging Brain

New/Highlighted Funding Opportunities

1. ​BRAIN Initiative R01: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain. For the development of computational tools (theories, models, methods) for understanding dynamic brain circuits, which will be made broadly accessible to the greater research community. October 6 2026; Resubmissions: November 6

2. Forecasted: BRAIN Initiative Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative Research on Behavior at the Organismal Level (BBQS).

3. Forecasted: NIH Small Grant: Building Sustainable Software Tools for Open Science (R03). 

4. Forecasted: BRAIN Initiative Development and Validation of Novel Tools and New Approaches for Neuroscience Research. Anticipated deadline: June 10, 2027

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

1. NIH Parent R01: New: October 5, February 5, June 5; Renewal/Resubmission: March 5, July 5, November 5
2. NIH Parent R21: New: October 16, February 16, June 16; Renewal/Resubmission: March 16, July 16, November 16
3. McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award: Proposals that address the biological mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This includes proposals that provide mechanistic insights into neurological functions at the synaptic, cellular, molecular, genetic or behavioral level across different species, including humans and vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms. A new additional area of interest is the contribution of the environment to brain disorders. October 15

1. Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant: Supports new and innovative projects, particularly those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions in brain health and disease, including cancer. Limited submission: Internal Proposal Deadline – Monday, September 21, 2026

2. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01): Supports an innovative project that represents a change in research direction for an early stage investigator (ESI) and for which no preliminary data exist. September 28, January 26, May 26

3. McKnight Scholar Awards: To support exceptional young scientists who are in the early stages of establishing an independent laboratory and research career. Eligibility: must be an Assistant Professor within the first 5 years of starting an independent lab; can apply up to 2 times. November 3 2026.

4. Klingenstein Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience: Supports early-career investigators within the first four years of completion of last postdoc. February 1

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

1. NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB): Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Biological Sciences to Strengthen and Safeguard Biotechnology Innovations. US citizen or permanent resident; Must not have worked in any position that requires a doctoral degree for a combined total of more than 15 full-time months prior to the deadline; limited to a maximum of two submissions, regardless of the outcome. September 29, 2026

2. Life Sciences Research Foundation Postdoctoral Research Award: Must have begun (or will begin) working in your proposed postdoc lab between August 1 of the previous year and July 31 of the upcoming year; Must apply within 5 years of receiving Ph.D. or M.D.; Post-doc must be in different lab than Ph.D. October 1

3. NIH K32 Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award: U.S. citizen/permanent resident; 1st - 2nd year postdoc. October 12, February 12, June 12

4. NIH Parent K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award: 1-2 years of postdoc + 3 years of faculty funding. nternational applicants eligible. 3rd - 4th year postdocs. New: October 12, February 12, June 12. Resubmission: March 12, July 12, November 12

5. NIH Parent K01 Mentored Scientist Development Award: U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents; 2nd - 5+ year postdocs. New: October 12, February 12, June 12. Resubmission: March 12, July 12, November 12

6. NYAS Leon Levy Scholarships in Neuroscience: Must have no more than 2 years of postdoc experience (can request eligibility extension). October 16.

7. NIH Parent F32 NRSA: U.S. citizen/permanent resident; 1st - 3rd year postdoc. December 8, April 8, August 8

8. HHMI Hanna H Gray Postdoc-to-Faculty transition award: No more than 7 years of postdoc experience; authorized to work in the US (international postdoc are eligible). Competition occurs every other year. December 15

*check with us regarding eligibility extensions for NIH grants

1. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): Pre-grad, first or second year Ph.D.; U.S. citizen/permanent resident; Cannot have a master’s degree. Life Sciences deadline: October 16

2. Hertz Foundation Fellowship: Pre-grad or first year; U.S. citizen/permanent resident. Deadline: October 30

3. 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 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET

4. HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program: Second- and third-year PhD students; open to US citizens/permanent residents, DACA recipients, and international students. October 27 2026.

5. NIH F31: For U.S. citizens/permanent residents. December 8, April 8, August 8. 

6. NIH F99/K00: Pre-doc to post-doc transition award: For grad students with 1.5-2 years left of PhD at award start (typically 3rd or 4th year students). Must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident. December 8, April 8, August 8.