Accelerating the development of targeted neuromodulation therapies
The National Institutes of Health invited eight Phase 1 winners to build on their submissions by conducting proof-of-concept studies in Phase 2.
Congratulations to the Phase 2 cohort
Anthony F. DiMarco, M.D.
High-frequency spinal cord stimulation reduces respiratory tract infections and improves bowel management in people with neurological impairment
BIOS Health
The Autonomic Therapy Initiative, data-driven stimulations of the vagus nerve using neural biomarkers, modulates cardiac function and minimizes side effects on off target organs
GE Research in collaboration with Northwell Health and Yale University
A single, image-guided ultrasound treatment induces a response in the gut-brain sensory pathway to provide sustained remission in Type 2 diabetes and obesity
NPR Lab at the University of Connecticut
Synchronized pulse and sinusoidal stimulation of sacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and nerve roots relieves chronic visceral pain in the lower abdominal organs by selectively blocking C-fiber neural transmission
RBI Medical
Ultraprecise, selective pelvic neuromodulation therapy treats stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and fecal incontinence using a minimally invasive micro-implant
University of Louisville Research Foundation Inc.
StimXS, neuromodulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord, automatically regulates cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems after spinal cord injury
University of Pittsburgh Department of Urology
A multichannel implantable device for sacral-pudendal neuromodulation addresses bladder, bowel, and sexual disorders
Warren Grill & collaborators, Duke Biomedical Engineering
Electrical recording and stimulation of the sacral nerve with closed-loop bioelectronic control restores bladder and bowel function
About the competition
The Neuromod Prize is a SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund. The competition seeks groundbreaking uses of peripheral nerve stimulation that can independently regulate two or more desired autonomic functions without unintended effects on non-target organs. The competition is currently in Phase 2.
CONCLUDED
Phase 1
Open to all eligible participants
Participants submitted concept papers describing their proposed therapeutic approach and plans for conducting proof-of-concept studies.
CURRENT
Phase 2
Open to winners of Phase 1
Eight Phase 1 winners have been exclusively invited to develop proof-of-concept studies.
PLANNED
Phase 3
Open to winners of Phase 2
Up to four Phase 2 winners may subsequently be selected to conduct IDE-enabling studies.
Prize pool
A judging panel selected eight winners according to official Phase 1 judging criteria. In Phase 1, a judging panel selected eight winners according to official Phase 1 judging criteria. Phase 1 winners each received $100,000 and the opportunity to compete for a share of up to $4 million in Phase 2.
Total prize pool planned across three phases
Timeline
Phase 1 was open to all eligible participants — including scientists, engineers, and clinicians — to submit novel concepts and plans for development. The competition is currently in Phase 2, where eight winners from Phase 1 are building on their submissions.
Phase 1 launch
Phase 1 submission deadline
Phase 1 judging
Phase 1 winner announcement
Phase 2 launch
Phase 2 winner announcement
Phase 3 planned launch