Applications for spinal cord injury research

Since 2002, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation has been committed to improving the lives of those impacted by spinal cord injuries (SCI). Inspired by its founder, Craig H. Neilsen, who suffered from a high-level spinal cord injury, the foundation is dedicated to supporting both programs and scientific research to improve the quality of life for those living with SCI.

The foundation invites applications for its Spinal Cord Injury Research on the Translational Spectrum (SCIRTS) grants program. Through the program, grants will be awarded to novel approaches to improving function and developing curative therapies after SCI. SCIRTS Grants support research projects that include, but are not limited to, the following areas: 

Mechanistic Research: Including the development of novel strategies aimed at neuroprotection and/or elucidation of the pathological mechanisms that occur after SCI; promotion of neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, synaptogenesis, myelination, and functional connectivity after SCI; development of therapeutics to improve function after SCI, including cellular, pharmacologic, or bioengineering strategies; and chronic SCI treatment and issues related to aging with SCI.

Preclinical, Translational Research: Research that will enable future clinical trials, such as the effects of SCI and novel interventions on sensory and motor function; use of preclinical models of SCI to develop interventions to alleviate complications of SCI including bowel, bladder, sexual, and other autonomic dysfunctions, respiratory dysfunction, neuropathic pain, pressure sores, osteoporosis, and the effects of aging with SCI; and trial-enabling studies, e.g., to confirm the mechanism of action for novel therapeutics, dosing, toxicity. 

Clinical Research: Such as studies to establish the natural history and progression of functional outcomes over time after SCI; efforts to develop and validate outcome measures needed to facilitate definitive clinical trials in SCI populations; and testing of innovative rehabilitation strategies and devices in persons with SCI.

Three types of grants will be awarded: 

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Grants of $100,00 per year for up to two years will be awarded to encourage specialization in spinal cord injury research.

Pilot Research Grants: Grants of up to $200,000 per year for up to two years will be awarded to support pilot studies that lay essential groundwork, allow either junior or established PIs to test the feasibility of novel methods and procedures and/or collect new data that can lead to or enhance larger-scale studies.

Senior Research Grants: Grants of up to $800,000 over up to three years will be awarded to established, independent investigators in a position equivalent to associate professor or above to encourage pursuit of new avenues, enable paradigm shifts, or support decisive translational steps in developing SCI treatments. 

Eligible candidates must have a doctoral or equivalent terminal degree such as an MD, DVM, or PhD and conduct research at a nonprofit academic and/or research institution or rehabilitation facility in the United States or Canada. 

Letters of intent must be received by June 7, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application, due November 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

For complete program instructions and application instructions, see the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation website.