The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a funding opportunity titled "Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE)" aimed at developing and validating model systems for neurotherapeutic discovery. This initiative encourages proposals for animal models or ex vivo systems that accurately replicate the characteristics of specific neurological or neuromuscular disorders, with the goal of enhancing the translational relevance of these models to improve drug development processes. The program utilizes a phased award mechanism (R61/R33) and requires collaboration with clinical experts, along with a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) to promote inclusivity in research. The total funding available is $750,000 over three years, with a maximum of $499,000 in direct costs per year. Key submission dates begin with the earliest application due date of January 18, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants can contact NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov.