Establishing a Research Network to Guide Foundational Research on Human Consciousness

Forecasted opportunity (not yet open for applications; expected to be posted around 2026-12-01; estimated application due date 2027-02-08). This Funding Opportunity will establish the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Network to Guide Foundational Research on Human Consciousness, leveraging a trans-NIH collaboration of 14 Institutes, Centers, and Offices dedicated to reducing the burden of nervous system disorders. Consciousness is central to numerous serious biomedical conditions, including coma, delirium, dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, sleep disorders, metabolic disorders, and seizures - conditions central to NIH's biomedical mission. Yet the neural mechanisms that support conscious states remain insufficiently understood, limiting clinicians’ ability to diagnose and treat patients effectively. Advancing foundational science on human consciousness will strengthen clinical decision-making and improve outcomes for patients with costly and hard-to-treat neurologic and systemic illnesses by:Detecting consciousness in minimally responsive patients to guide prognosis, treatment, and ethical decisions (e.g., organ harvesting).Improving understanding of consciousness in Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and delirium.Investigating altered states in mental disorders to inform treatments.Identifying sentience and state transitions under anesthesia and during recovery.Advancing knowledge of sleep states and improving treatments for insomnia and other sleep disorders.Exploring non-sensory visual perception (e.g., hallucinations, aphantasia) to deepen insight into mental health.Evaluating therapeutic effects of consciousness-modulating interventions such as meditation, hypnosis, and neurostimulation.Applying New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to study human consciousness.Despite its importance, biomedical research on consciousness lacks shared standards, resulting in fragmented efforts and limiting understanding of underlying neurocircuitry. To…