PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To increase knowledge of basic biological and behavioral processes that underlie mental and behavioral disorders and of processes that contribute to maintaining mental health; to improve methodologies for research relevant to these disorders; and to conduct research on mental health services. Research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health may employ theoretical, laboratory, clinical, methodological and field studies. Studies may involve individuals with a mental disorder diagnosis, individuals with symptom levels that do not meet diagnostic thresholds, and healthy individuals of all ages. Research also may involve animal, computational and mathematical models appropriate to the system being investigated and the state of the field. Areas eligible for research support are: neurosciences, including molecular genetics; behavioral sciences; epidemiology; clinical assessment; etiological studies; treatment; prevention; services research; and research on HIV/AIDS behavior. The Minority Research Infrastructure Support Program provides awards to increase the capacity of institutions with a substantial enrollment of racial ethnic minority students to conduct mental health research projects. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program provide awards to increase small business participation in Federal research and development by means of increasing cooperative research and development between small businesses and research institutions (SBIR); and encouraging participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation (STTR).

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. HEALTH;
- Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health - Planning;
- Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health - Research;
- Education and Training;
- Libraries, Information and Education Services;
- Maternity, Infants, Children;
- Mental Health;
- Prevention and Control;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- Local;
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Other private institution/organization;
- Scientist/Researcher;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Individual/Family;
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Anyone/general public;