New Investigator Award in Spinal Cord Injury Research

The New Investigator Award in Spinal Cord Injury Research (Round 1), issued under RFA #20733 by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), is a state-funded initiative administered by the Extramural Grants Administration in partnership with the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB). This opportunity is tailored to support new investigators at various career stages entering the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research, thereby strengthening the scientific community focused on SCI and advancing the mission of SCIRB within New York State. The program aims to broaden the base of SCI researchers, fostering the development of both basic and clinical research programs across the state. This grant opportunity encourages applications from researchers with limited or no prior experience in SCI, while also accepting those with existing background in the area. For investigators lacking SCI-specific experience, collaboration with established SCI researchers is strongly advised to enhance the strength and competitiveness of their proposals. This aligns with SCIRB’s commitment to fostering excellence and collaboration in the SCI research community, ensuring that new entrants are equipped with the support and expertise necessary to succeed in this specialized field. The total program funding for this opportunity is $2.16 million, distributed across a 36-month initial contract term. Detailed funding tiers or specific award ceilings per award are not disclosed in the provided material; however, awardees will be selected based on the merit of their research proposal and alignment with SCIRB’s objectives. No cost-share or matching requirements are specified. Applicants should adhere to all stated submission requirements and deadlines, and may optionally submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is encouraged but not mandatory. The LOI facilitates communication, including updates and clarifications regarding the RFA, but does not obligate submission of a full application. The application process is fully managed through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS). To apply, eligible applicants must log into the SFS Vendor Portal, locate the opportunity under the Grant Management section using identifiers such as the agency code (DOH01) or grant name, and complete the bid response steps. Applications must be finalized and submitted through the portal by June 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications at least 48 hours prior to the deadline to accommodate potential technical issues. Prequalification is required for not-for-profits at the time of submission, and only designated roles within the SFS system (e.g., Bid Response Submitter) may complete the final submission. A Bidder’s Conference is scheduled for April 15, 2026, and registration closes on April 14. Questions from applicants must be submitted in writing by April 22, 2026, and responses will be posted by April 29, 2026. The anticipated award notification date is June 30, 2027, and selected projects will begin within the 36-month contract term following this date. All questions must be directed to David Googins at the New York State Department of Health via [email protected]. His office is located at the Wadsworth Center in Albany, NY, and can also be reached by phone at (518) 474-7002. This RFA represents a critical opportunity for early-career scientists or established investigators pivoting into SCI research to contribute meaningfully to a growing and impactful field. Through this initiative, the NYSDOH and SCIRB seek to cultivate new voices and approaches in spinal cord injury science, reinforcing New York State's commitment to research innovation and patient-centered outcomes.

Submit at least 48 hours before deadline to resolve technical issues; avoid special characters in file names; ensure nonprofit prequalification is current.