DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Translation Research Award | HT942526SCIRPCTRA

FY26 SCIRP Clinical Translation Research Award (CTRA) FAQs

1) What is the FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Translation Research Award (CTRA)?

The FY26 SCIRP Clinical Translation Research Award (CTRA) is a U.S. Department of the Army (USAMRAA) discretionary grant opportunity that supports clinical translation research in spinal cord injury (SCI). It is designed to move promising SCI advances closer to real-world clinical use by generating early clinical-stage evidence that strengthens readiness for later, larger studies and broader adoption.

2) What types of studies does the CTRA mechanism support?

This mechanism is intended to fund early clinical translation work such as feasibility studies, pilot trials, and optimization efforts. The focus is on practical, early-stage clinical evaluation and refinement rather than a full, definitive clinical trial.

3) Is this award intended to fund large, definitive clinical trials?

No. The CTRA specifically targets work that is not yet ready for a full, definitive clinical trial. The goal is to build the early clinical-stage evidence needed to justify and properly design a future, larger trial or implementation effort.

4) What is the overall goal of this funding opportunity?

The overall goal is to accelerate the translation of new or emerging SCI techniques and interventions into clinical practice by addressing common barriers to clinical success and generating clinically useful evidence related to SCI diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

5) What are the two central objectives of the CTRA?

First, the award aims to accelerate translation into clinical practice by targeting barriers that often prevent clinical success and by generating evidence that de-risks the path to a later definitive trial. Second, it emphasizes producing clinically useful evidence about SCI diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation options to support better decision-making for patients and clinicians, and to inform care partners and policymakers.

6) What kinds of barriers is the program trying to address?

The opportunity highlights barriers such as uncertainties about dosing or protocol parameters, feasibility of recruitment and retention, safety or tolerability questions, usability challenges, workflow integration issues, outcome measure selection, and other operational or design factors that could increase the risk of failure in later-stage trials.

7) What does "de-risking the pathway to a definitive trial" mean in this context?

In this context, it means using early clinical-stage studies to validate key assumptions, resolve operational hurdles, and strengthen both the rationale and the design of a future definitive clinical trial, reducing uncertainty and improving the chance of success later.

8) What kinds of outcomes or evidence is the program trying to produce?

The program emphasizes clinically useful evidence relevant to SCI diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The intent is that results meaningfully inform clinical decision-making and support future trial planning or implementation in care settings.

9) Who is the evidence intended to help?

The opportunity specifically notes that evidence should support decision-making for patients and clinicians, while also generating information useful to care partners and policymakers who influence access, coverage, and system-level adoption.

10) What is the Early-Career Partnership Option?

The Early-Career Partnership Option is a feature that allows an application to be led by two principal investigators (PIs). If this option is used, at least one PI must be an early-career investigator, supporting emerging leaders while enabling mentorship or complementary expertise through the second PI.

11) How many principal investigators can lead an application under the Early-Career Partnership Option?

Under this option, the application can be led by two PIs.

12) Does the Early-Career Partnership Option require an early-career investigator?

Yes. If the option is chosen, at least one of the two PIs must be an early-career investigator.

13) Is there a risk if one partnered submission is rejected or withdrawn?

Yes. The opportunity notes that the linked nature of partnered applications can affect the entire submission set: if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn, associated applications for that research project may also be withdrawn. This makes coordination and compliance across the partnered submissions important.

14) What is required for community engagement?

Applications must name at least two SCI community partners who will provide advice and consultation throughout both planning and implementation. This signals the funder's expectation of ongoing and substantive community involvement.

15) How many SCI community partners are required?

At least two SCI community partners must be named in the application.

16) When must community partners be involved in the project?

The opportunity specifies involvement throughout both planning and implementation, indicating engagement should extend across the project lifecycle rather than being limited to early concept development or a one-time endorsement.

17) What is the opportunity number and how is it identified?

The opportunity is listed as HT942526SCIRPCTRA.

18) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA 12.420.

19) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is described as science and technology and other research and development.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is described as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of organizations may apply, subject to the full rules in the solicitation.

21) When is the application closing date?

The application closing date is November 12, 2026.

22) How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipates making about three awards.

23) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.

24) Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of the Army (USAMRAA) as a discretionary grant program.

25) What stage of translation is this award focused on?

The focus is on early clinical translation, supporting work that helps refine an intervention, address practical barriers, and generate evidence needed to support a future definitive clinical trial or broader clinical implementation.