ZI Friday Funding Monthly Digest: Two R01s and Three Postdoc Fellowships!

Sachira Denagamage: Revson Senior Fellowship in Biomedical Science "How Self-Motion Sculpts Visual Perception." (Card and Behnia Labs)

Kip Lacy: Simons Junior Fellowship (Bendesky Lab)

Lidor Spivak: Columbia-Kalaniyot Postdoctoral Fellowship (Sawtell Lab) 

Richard Mann: NIH/NIDCD 1R01NS151292-01 "Functional assembly of an adult motor circuit in Drosophila."

Nima Mesgarani: NIH/NIDCD Renewal 2R01DC014279-11 "From neural decoding to perceptual benefit: building viable brain-guided hearing systems."

• 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

• 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

2. Forecasted: BRAIN Initiative Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization – Transformative Research on Behavior at the Organismal Level (BBQS). Anticipated deadline: October 13, 2026

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 Director's Pioneer Award (DP1): High-risk, high-reward new research directions. September 9.
2. NIH Parent R01: New: October 5, February 5, June 5; Renewal/Resubmission: March 5, July 5, November 5
3. NIH Parent R21: New: October 16, February 16, June 16; Renewal/Resubmission: March 16, July 16, November 16

1. NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (DP2): For early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of NIH. August 17

2. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship: Must be tenure-track, though untenured. Candidate’s faculty position must carry a regular teaching obligation. September 15

3. 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

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

1. Simons Foundation Junior Fellowship: By nomination (ask your PI). At program start, no more than ~2 years since finished Ph.D. September 10

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

*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. Mid-October

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

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 (typically 3rd or 4th year students). Must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident. December 8, April 8, August 8.