Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R01) | PAR 16 398

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R01)" opportunity?

It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant opportunity that supports the development of advanced, human cell-derived microphysiological systems (MPS) focused on the nervous system. These platforms are often described as organ-on-a-chip or tissue chip systems.

2) What is the main purpose of this NIH funding opportunity?

The purpose is to push beyond simpler in vitro neural models by engineering next-generation systems that better reproduce the structure and function of real human neural circuits as they operate in the body. The long-term goal is to enable study of higher-order functional impairments relevant to difficult neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

3) What types of research platforms does NIH want to see proposed?

NIH is looking for advanced, human cell-derived nervous system MPS platforms that more faithfully capture the complexity of human neural circuitry and function than traditional cell culture models.

4) What does "microphysiological system (MPS)" mean in this context?

In this context, MPS refers to engineered, human cell-based platforms designed to replicate aspects of human tissue and organ physiology in vitro. The announcement notes these are sometimes described as organ-on-a-chip or tissue chip platforms.

5) What is the key scientific emphasis of the announcement?

The emphasis is on improving physiological realism (fidelity) compared to existing in vitro approaches. The expectation is that proposed systems go beyond maintaining neurons in culture and instead reproduce more in vivo-like circuit behavior and interactions among relevant human cell types.

6) Which parts of the human nervous system are within scope?

The scope can include central nervous system circuitry (brain), spinal circuitry, peripheral nerve function, and sensory end organ circuits.

7) Why is NIH emphasizing circuit-level function rather than simpler readouts?

The opportunity aims for improved circuit-level function so researchers can analyze complex functional deficits and higher-order impairments. These can be difficult to capture with traditional cell culture models and may not be fully predictive in animal models due to species differences.

8) What problem is this funding opportunity trying to address?

It seeks to catalyze more predictive, human-relevant nervous system models that better approximate real human circuit physiology, enabling deeper functional studies of complex neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

9) What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism.

10) What does it mean that this is an R01 opportunity?

Based on the provided description, it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven or technology-development research projects that typically involve a multi-year plan, well-justified aims, and rigorous validation strategies.

11) What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

12) How is this opportunity categorized in federal funding terms?

It is categorized as discretionary federal funding.

13) What funding activity category is associated with this FOA?

The funding activity category listed is Education, Health.

14) Are specific NIH programs or institutes associated with this FOA?

Multiple CFDA program numbers are associated with the opportunity (93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.853, 93.867), indicating alignment with several NIH programs or institutes within the scientific scope described.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

A wide range of organizations are eligible, including various government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, small businesses, tribal entities, U.S. territories, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, as listed in the provided opportunity description.

16) Are U.S. state and local governments eligible?

Yes. The eligible applicants include state governments and local government types such as county, city, or township governments, as well as special district governments.

17) Are public and private universities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.

18) Are independent school districts eligible to apply?

Yes. Independent school districts are included in the eligible applicant types.

19) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories, as stated in the provided eligibility description).

20) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also explicitly listed as eligible.

21) Are tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and the description also notes eligibility for Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.

22) Are tribal colleges and Indigenous-serving institutions included?

Yes. The eligible types include Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

23) Are minority-serving institutions eligible?

Yes. The list includes Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI).

24) Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among the eligible applicant types.

25) Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included in the eligibility list.

26) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included as eligible.

27) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).

28) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 16 398.

29) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2016-08-11.

30) What is the closing date listed in the provided information?

The provided source data lists an original closing date of 2020-01-07.

31) Is the award ceiling provided?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the information provided.

32) Is the expected number of awards provided?

No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the information provided.

33) What general approach does NIH want to avoid in proposed models?

Based on the stated emphasis, NIH is aiming beyond simpler in vitro neural models that primarily focus on keeping neurons alive in a dish, and is instead emphasizing more physiologically realistic systems with in vivo-like circuit behavior.

34) What is the intended advantage of these human cell-derived nervous system platforms?

They are intended to be more predictive and human-relevant for studying nervous system function and dysfunction, especially where animal models may not fully predict human outcomes due to species differences.