Projects to Accelerate Research Translation (PART) and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Spinal Cord Injury (Round 8)

The New York State Department of Health, through the Wadsworth Center and the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB), has released Round 8 of its funding opportunity for "Projects to Accelerate Research Translation (PART) and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Spinal Cord Injury." This program is a continuation of New York State’s commitment to advancing scientific breakthroughs in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI). Established in 1998, the SCIRB provides strategic direction for the state's SCI research funding, with the ultimate goal of identifying cures for SCI-induced paralysis and minimizing damage during the acute phase of injury. This funding round makes available approximately $5 million annually through the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Fund to support a combination of 5 to 14 awards under the PART and IDEA mechanisms. The PART award mechanism is designed to support research projects that translate basic (preclinical) findings into clinical applications with high potential for therapeutic outcomes. These translational projects may involve animal or human studies, with a focus on therapeutic applications, tissue regeneration, or the restoration of neurological function. PART projects may span up to three years, with allowable direct costs up to $275,000 annually, plus up to 20% in indirect costs. In contrast, the IDEA award targets high-risk, early-phase studies, supporting new approaches, paradigm-challenging research, or novel applications of technologies that have not yet been broadly tested within SCI research. IDEA awards offer up to two years of support, with annual direct costs capped at $150,000 and similar indirect cost allowances. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit and governmental entities in New York State. Each Principal Investigator (PI) must not be a postdoctoral fellow or dependent research staff and may only submit one application per mechanism. Institutions may submit multiple applications overall. Prequalification through New York State’s Statewide Financial System (SFS) is required, and applications must be submitted through the SFS portal. While submitting a Letter of Intent is optional, it is strongly encouraged, as it aids in the selection of appropriate peer reviewers and allows applicants to receive updates. The LOI must be submitted by November 19, 2025, and the application is due by January 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications will be evaluated by an independent peer review panel composed of senior scientists with relevant experience. The evaluation will consider scientific merit, translational potential (for PART), innovation (for IDEA), budget justification, and potential for future funding. Final funding decisions will be made by the SCIRB and are subject to approval by the Commissioner of Health, State Attorney General, and State Comptroller. Award announcements are anticipated on February 1, 2027, and contracts will begin on May 1, 2027. PART contracts may run through April 30, 2030, and IDEA contracts through April 30, 2029. Contracts are non-renewable and contingent on the availability of state funds and satisfactory project performance. All applicants are required to submit several components with their application, including a work plan narrative, budget, biographical sketches, facility resources, and abstracts. Additional materials like conflict of interest declarations and MWBE participation forms may also be required. Progress reports and financial documentation must be submitted quarterly, with final reporting due 60 days after the contract ends. Technical assistance for using the SFS platform is available through the SFS Help Desk. Questions related to the RFA must be submitted by December 10, 2025, with responses expected by December 17, 2025.

Strong translational potential or innovative concept is critical; budgets must be justified; non-compliance with narrative page limits results in disqualification.