FOR-NS-25-004: Forecast for NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative ACTION Potential Program (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Forecast
This forecast is out of date. Its expected dates have passed and the agency has not posted the opportunity on Grants.gov. It may be delayed or cancelled; check the program's other opportunities below.
National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around November 3, 2025, with applications due around March 20, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 27, 2025. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
About this NIH notice
- F99, Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award. The final graduate school phase of the F99/K00 award. Other open F99 notices.
- K00, Postdoctoral Transition Award. The postdoctoral phase of the F99/K00 award. Other open K00 notices.
Key dates
| Forecast posted | May 27, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Expected posting | November 3, 2025 |
| Expected deadline | March 20, 2026 |
| Expected award date | December 1, 2026 |
Add the deadline to your calendar or it to My grants.
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 11 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (76% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, on behalf of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (NIH Blueprint) and BRAIN Intitiative, intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the ACTION (Academic Career Transition Initiative for Opportunities in Neuroscience) Potential F99/K00 award to support a defined pathway across career stages for skilled neuroscience graduate students performing neuroscience research within the missions of the NIH Blueprint and/or BRAIN Initiative. This two-phase award will facilitate completion of the doctoral dissertation and transition of talented graduate students to strong neuroscience research postdoctoral positions, and will provide career development opportunities relevant to their long-term career goal of becoming independent neuroscience researchers. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the F99/K00 activity code. Graduate students with expertise and insights into these areas of neuroscience are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.
Who has won Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (93.853) awarded $9.1 billion across 8,641 grant awards, an average of $1.0 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The General Hospital Corporation | Massachusetts | 203 | $288 million |
| The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco | California | 248 | $277 million |
| The Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | 230 | $276 million |
| The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | New York | 188 | $226 million |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Michigan | 179 | $221 million |
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to Lauren Ullrich, PhD, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), nindsotwd@ninds.nih.gov, 301-451-7964.
Questions people ask
Is FOR-NS-25-004 still open?
Not yet. It is a forecast: expected deadline March 20, 2026.
Who can apply for Forecast for NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative ACTION Potential Program (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
What is the deadline for Forecast for NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative ACTION Potential Program (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Expected deadline March 20, 2026. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
Who has won Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The General Hospital Corporation, The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco, The Johns Hopkins University. The program made 8,641 awards worth $9.1 billion in that time.
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