Brain-Body Crosstalk in Health and Disease: Multidisciplinary Pilot Awards and Challenge Symposium

The Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health (Frankel IHBH) and the Biointerfaces Institute (BI) have launched the Brain-Body Crosstalk in Health and Disease Challenge, a new funding opportunity supporting translational research at the interface of brain health and whole-body physiology.

This initiative invites researchers to explore the bidirectional communication between the brain and other physiological systems - including cardiovascular, immune, metabolic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and peripheral nervous systems. Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged to apply, with the goal of advancing new technologies, therapeutic strategies, diagnostics, biomarkers, or care models that improve human health.

The Frankel IHBH and BI will award four (4) $80,000 FY27 Multidisciplinary Pilot Awards. This award is designed to support projects that may be too innovative, emerging, or speculative for traditional funding sources but still have strong potential to produce high-impact findings and support future extramural applications.

Each submission must include a minimum of two (2) applicants who are members of the Frankel IHBH and/or the Biointerfaces Institute. No preliminary data are required. Funds may support research personnel, supplies, participant costs, data analysis, prototype development, and core services. Funds may not be used for equipment or principal investigator salary.

Proposals are due Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. The Brain-Body Crosstalk in Health and Disease Symposium and Award Ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST. 

Apply here:

Questions? Please contact Katie Donovan – [email protected]