RFA 20733 New Investigators in SCI

The New Investigator Award in Spinal Cord Injury Research (Round 1) is a targeted funding initiative administered by the New York State Department of Health under the direction of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB). The purpose of this program is to support investigators who are new to the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research at various stages of their career. This grant opportunity aims to cultivate a broader and more diverse community of researchers working within the SCI field, thereby advancing the SCIRB's mission to improve outcomes for individuals living with SCI through innovative scientific inquiry. This funding opportunity is explicitly designed to promote the inclusion of early-career or transitioning researchers in the SCI research domain. While prior experience in SCI research is not required, the program encourages applicants with limited experience in the field to collaborate with established SCI researchers or experts with relevant subject matter knowledge. This collaborative approach is intended to bolster the quality and feasibility of research proposals and ultimately enhance the scientific rigor of the program. By structuring this opportunity separately from traditional awards given to established SCI investigators, the program seeks to provide a competitive and accessible path for new entrants. The anticipated total program funding available for this round is $2,160,000, with funding allocated across selected proposals for a performance period of 36 months. The solicitation outlines a Letter of Intent (LOI) phase that is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. LOIs help the agency gauge interest and ensure timely dissemination of updates, including responses to frequently asked questions and amendments to the RFA. Applicants must submit their full proposals by June 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Eligible applicants for this award are governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations conducting health services or biomedical research. Submissions must follow the procedures laid out in the Request for Applications (RFA), including clear documentation of the PI’s qualifications and, if applicable, partnerships or mentorship arrangements with experienced SCI investigators. The agency emphasizes that all questions—whether related to scientific content or technical formatting—should be submitted in writing by April 22, 2026, to David Googins at [email protected]. Answers to all questions will be posted publicly by April 29, 2026, via an uploaded Q&A document. Awards are expected to be announced by June 30, 2027. The agency encourages applicants to attend the bidder’s conference, details of which are available via a WebEx registration link. The conference may offer valuable insights into the review process, submission mechanics, and SCI research priorities. The Department of Health’s SCIRB aims to ensure transparency, accessibility, and scientific impact through this carefully designed funding mechanism, ultimately promoting meaningful advances in SCI research in New York State.