Funding – Technical Area 1 – now open
Submit your concept paper by 17 March (14:00 GMT)
This funding call is for Technical Area 1 (TA1), focused on engineering non-surgical neural interfaces through a delivery-first, two-phase approach. The work is organised around three functional pillars: high-fidelity biological readout systems (TA1.1), wireless actuators for deep-brain modulation (TA1.2), and their integration into autonomous, closed-loop systems to restore physiological function (TA1.3). In the initial three-year phase, teams will prioritise establishing safe, targeted access to the brain via the body’s natural pathways. Once these access routes are validated, the final two years will focus on optimising system performance and generating the pre-clinical evidence required to transition these technologies into real-world therapeutic applications.
This technical area will form the core technology development activity of the Massively Scalable Neurotechnologies programme, comprising three sub-areas defined by interface functionality:
TA1.1 | Readout + biomarkers: This sub-area is developing neural interfaces capable of recording and reporting time-series neural data (e.g. neural activity, local field potentials, molecular or genetic markers related to neural activity) and transmitting this information to external systems. This transmission can range from wireless communication to an external receiver, or through a peripheral device like a blood test. We are particularly interested in approaches that can record signals from well defined regions of the brain rather than integrating signals across the entire brain. These capabilities will enable minimally invasive monitoring of disease state and therapeutic response.
TA1.2 | Remote modulation: This technical area will develop neural interfaces capable of remotely modulating neural activity. We are particularly interested in approaches that can target and modulate well defined, clinically validated deep brain regions, or other clinically validated brain targets, such as the subthalamic nucleus (Parkinson’s disease), anterior nucleus of the thalamus (refractory epilepsy), ventral capsule/ventral striatum or subcallosal cingulate (treatment-resistant depression).
TA1.3 | Closed-loop control: This technical area will develop closed-loop neural interfaces that can sense their environment, compare signals to a physiological baseline, and modulate local activity to restore or maintain a desired neural state. Closed-loop neuromodulation applies the principles of control theory to the brain. This technical area may draw on tools from diverse fields such as synthetic biology, molecular biology and CMOS engineering to enable closed-loop control of neural circuits, providing a foundation for dynamic, self-regulating therapies.
Details of what’s in and out of scope can be found in the call for proposals.
This solicitation is for TA1 phase 1 only. We intend to launch calls for TA2 and TA3 in Summer 2026. Sign up for programme updates and to be notified when our next solicitations go live.
Who should apply?
We expect to fund a wide range of fields including bioengineering, neuroengineering, electrical engineering, and applied physics. Critically, we believe that for this programme some of the most impactful projects may come from fields that do not traditionally consider themselves ‘neurotechnologists’, including molecular and cellular biology, synthetic biology, immunotherapy, and developmental biology. We anticipate these teams may come from academic research labs, non-profit research organisations, hospitals, veterinary labs (for large animal work), early-stage VC-backed startups, small to medium enterprises, and more established industry partners.
We encourage collaborative teams, but solo applicants are also invited to apply and we can assist in forming teams. Applicants can be based in the UK or abroad.
Join a team
We have a live teaming tool that allows applicants to find complementary expertise. After a quick registration, you can browse other researchers and request an introduction from the ARIA team to explore potential collaborations.
How to apply
The first stage of the application process is the submission of a concept paper (3-page maximum), which allows applicants to receive feedback from the programme team.
We will run a webinar which provide an overview of the programme’s objectives, scope, and application process, and to give potential applicants an opportunity to ask questions to the ARIA team – please register your interest and submit questions in advance for this event.
Key dates
Webinar: 2 March 2026 (16:00-17:00 GMT – register here)
Concept paper submission deadline: 17 March 2026 (14:00 GMT)
Full proposal window opening: 13 April 2026
Full proposal submission deadline: 08 May 2026 (14:00 GMT)
You do not have to submit a concept paper in order to submit a full proposal, but it provides an opportunity for guidance and an initial indication of whether we think a full proposal would be competitive.
Read the call for proposals for full details and apply below.
Resources
Clarification questions
If you can't attend our webinar or have any additional questions, please use the chat function on this page for the quickest response – you'll find the icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. It can guide you to the right information or connect you with the ARIA team if needed. We’ll update this page regularly with questions and answers.
Nb: Clarification questions that need to be reviewed by the ARIA team should be submitted via the chat function no later than 4 days prior to the relevant deadline date. Clarification questions received after this date will not be reviewed.