The BRAIN Theories, Models and Methods (TMM) program (RFA DA 27 004) supports the development and validation of innovative and rigorous theories, models and methods to advance the quantitative and predictive understanding of brain function across scales, including behavior. The program emphasizes tools that develop novel approaches for analyzing, integrating, and interpreting large-scale, complex data emerging from the BRAIN initiative and related efforts, including cell-type specific physiological, anatomical, connectivity, and behavioral data.

Applications should focus on one or more of the following:

new or significantly advanced theories of brain function
mechanistic and/or predictive models of neural circuit activity and behavior grounded in empirical data
novel computational or statistical methods for analyzing neural and behavioral datasets.

Tools for analyzing brain activity must:

use data with cellular and sub-second temporal resolution (e.g., single-unit recordings, cellular imaging, connectomics) OR integrate information across multiple, clearly defined temporal scales (e.g., from synaptic events to learning). 
Approaches relying solely on non-invasive, low-resolution signals (e.g., scalp EEG, fMRI BOLD) must be directly integrated with and constrained by cellular/circuit-level data.
Tools for analyzing behavior  must incorporate neural data AND span multiple relevant temporal scales.
Experimental work must be limited to estimating model parameters and/or testing the validity of the TMM tools being delivered.

Theories, models and methods using disease or treatment paradigms are not responsive unless used to understand underlying functional and brain circuits.

Important Deadlines:

New submissions: October 6. 2026
Resubmission/Renewal applications: November 6, 2026

Please send specific aims pages and inquiries to: BRAINTheoriesFOA@ninds.nih.gov. We are happy to consult on fit with the program.