PART/IDEA Round 8

The Projects to Accelerate Research Translation (PART) and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Spinal Cord Injury (Round 8) is a funding opportunity issued by the New York State Department of Health in collaboration with the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB). This program aims to drive significant advancements in spinal cord injury (SCI) research, translating foundational scientific discoveries into therapeutic applications and fostering exploratory initiatives that address barriers in the field. Approximately 1,100 New York residents suffer SCI annually, underscoring the urgent need for research that offers real clinical solutions and improved quality of life for affected individuals. The SCIRB's mission emphasizes innovation and transformative outcomes in SCI research. It supports research that explores novel hypotheses and applies inventive approaches with the potential to deliver breakthroughs in treatment and rehabilitation. This eighth round of funding is intended to distribute approximately $5 million from the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Fund through two distinct mechanisms: the PART awards and IDEA awards. PART projects may receive up to $275,000 annually in direct costs for a maximum of three years, with an additional allowance of up to 20% in facilities and administrative costs. These projects should aim to translate basic scientific findings into practical clinical applications and include at least one clearly defined translational aim. In contrast, IDEA awards support shorter, two-year research efforts capped at $150,000 annually in direct costs, also with up to 20% in facilities and administrative costs. These awards are designed for exploratory or high-risk projects that introduce new concepts, methods, or technologies. Proposals may challenge existing paradigms, apply emerging tools in novel ways, or tackle SCI research from unconventional perspectives. This mechanism is ideal for investigators testing unproven but promising ideas or developing preliminary data that could justify larger-scale studies in the future. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit and governmental organizations authorized to conduct business in New York State. Principal Investigators must not be postdoctoral fellows or other dependent research staff, and they may only submit one application per funding mechanism. The program does not support Phase III clinical trials, research center funding, or enrollment expansions of existing trials. Applicants must also be registered and prequalified through the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS) if applicable. The application process involves multiple steps. Although a Letter of Intent is optional, applicants are encouraged to submit one to assist in peer reviewer identification and to receive future communications regarding updates or clarifications. Applications must be submitted through the SFS portal by January 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated award notification date is February 1, 2027, with contracts expected to commence on May 1, 2027. PART awards will extend through April 30, 2030, and IDEA awards through April 30, 2029. No contract renewals will be offered. Applications will undergo a rigorous peer review process managed by an independent contractor. Evaluations will consider the scientific merit, translational potential (for PART), and innovation (for IDEA). Reviewers will also assess the budget justification and feasibility of completing proposed aims. The SCIRB will make final award recommendations based on review scores, responsiveness to program objectives, and funding availability. Applicants will be notified of their award status and may request a debriefing after final decisions are made. All required attachments and submission instructions are detailed within the SFS portal and RFA documentation.

Submit at least 48 hours before deadline to avoid SFS submission issues; ensure translational aims are well-justified and feasible.