Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living and its National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, has announced the forecasted opportunity for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers grant program. This initiative seeks to support a multidisciplinary system of rehabilitation care for individuals with spinal cord injury, defined as a clinically discernible neurologic impairment of the spinal cord. The program builds on a national framework of care and research, ensuring that people with spinal cord injuries have access to evidence-based interventions and long-term outcomes data. The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers (SCIMS) are required to conduct both site-specific and collaborative research while maintaining contributions to a national longitudinal database. This database captures long-term follow-up data on individuals with spinal cord injuries, which helps inform clinical practice, policy, and program development. Centers will also be evaluated and funded in part based on the number of participants they are able to contribute to the database, ensuring that larger centers with higher patient volumes receive proportional funding within the set range. The program has a project period of 60 months, divided into five 12-month budget periods. Anticipated funding will vary by center but is expected to range between $560,000 and $640,000 annually, with a total estimated program funding of $8,446,263 across approximately 14 awards. No cost-sharing or matching requirement is imposed, which lowers financial barriers to participation for eligible organizations. Awards are determined by NIDILRR following the selection of applicants, and existing centers with greater numbers of eligible participants may receive awards at the higher end of the funding spectrum. Eligible applicants include states, public or private agencies and organizations, for-profit entities, public and private institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes or tribal organizations. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide a full continuum of care for individuals with spinal cord injuries, including emergency medical services, acute hospital care, medical rehabilitation, and post-acute services. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply. Faith-based and community organizations that meet these eligibility standards may also apply. The estimated application posting date is February 24, 2026, with an application due date of April 24, 2026. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026, with projects expected to begin on the same date. The funding announcement will remain active until September 30, 2026. As this is a forecasted opportunity, all dates remain estimates and may be updated as the official Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted. Applicants and interested parties may access additional details and application materials via the Administration for Community Living’s official grants webpage. Specific questions regarding the program may be directed to Brian Bard, the listed program officer, at 202-795-7298 or via email at Brian.Bard@acl.hhs.gov.