PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To support extramural research within the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) including: (1) Neurological science basic research that explores the fundamental structure and function of the brain and the nervous system; (2) research to understand the causes and origins of pathological conditions of the nervous system with the goal of prevention of these disorders; (3) research on the natural course of neurological disorders; and (4) research on mechanisms associated with stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders, effects of trauma to the nervous system, neuroplasticity and regeneration, and tumors of neural and sensory tissues; (5) improved methods of disease prevention; (6) new methods of diagnosis and treatment; (7) clinical trials; (8) drug development; (9) development of neural prostheses for stroke and paraplegia; (10) epidemiological research; and (11) research training in the clinical neurosciences. Extramural research is supported in programmatic areas within this Institute such as research on stroke, traumatic injury to the brain and nervous system, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, on neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, on brain tumors and on the development of artificial prosthetic devices to restore function to the damaged nervous system, on convulsive disorders, including epilepsy, infectious disorders of the brain and nervous system, including AIDS, immune disorders of the brain and nervous system, including multiple sclerosis, disorders related to sleep, and pain. Programmatic areas also include neurodevelopment, repair and plasticity, channels synapses and circuits, neurogenetics, neurodegeneration, neural environment, and systems and cognitive neuroscience. Extramural research is also supported by the Office of Minority Health and Research. To expand and improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. To utilize Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program; to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. The NINDS also participates in the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program, which is intended to provide research support to institutions currently having little National Institutes of Health (NIH) support.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. HEALTH;
- Prevention and Control;
- Specialized Health Research and Training;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Graduate Student;
- Scientist/Researcher;
- U.S. Citizen;

 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);