Abstract: A system for awake functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of an animal subject includes an RF coil apparatus and a tunnel apparatus. The RF coil apparatus includes an RF coil configured to be implanted on the animal subject, a head post coupled to the RF coil and comprising a housing and a circuit board positioned within the housing, and a connector coupled to the circuit board. The tunnel apparatus includes a first end having an opening, a second end, a slot positioned on a top side of the tunnel apparatus and configured to movably receive the head post of the RF coil apparatus, and an inner region configured to receive the animal subject and allow the animal subject to move from the first end to the second end.