Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded Harvard College $120,582 under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (CFDA 93.853) program on January 17, 2026. This project grant supports fundamental neuroscience research investigating motor learning mechanisms within cortico-basal ganglia circuits. The research will employ advanced methodologies including machine vision-based three-dimensional behavioral tracking, long-timescale neural activity monitoring, and optogenetic techniques to elucidate how the brain generates behavioral variability during skill acquisition while preserving previously learned motor behaviors.

The primary deliverable is original research findings that advance understanding of how neural circuits balance exploration of new motor solutions with consolidation and retention of existing learned skills. The project, scheduled for completion by December 31, 2027, will be conducted at Harvard's Cambridge, Massachusetts campus and will contribute to NINDS's broader mission of reducing the burden of neurological disease through fundamental knowledge generation about brain and nervous system function.