DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Trial Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations and medical institutions conducting clinical trials for spinal cord injury treatments. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical schools, research hospitals, VA medical centers, and 501(c)(3) research organizations. The research must focus on clinical trial design, patient outcomes, or therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury. Federal matching funds may apply to certain applicant types.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of spinal cord injury (SCI).
Distinctive Features: This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two Principal Investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.
Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least two spinal cord injury (SCI) community partners (e.g., SCI Lived-Experience Consultants, representatives of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application cover form)
- Project Narrative and Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Institutional Endorsement Letter
- Letters of Support (clinical partners, collaborators)
- IRB Documentation
- Vertebrate Animal/Human Subjects Documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Abigail Strock Contract Specialist
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 3016192342
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.420 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,265,729,366
-
$800,631,761
-
$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$55,443,120
-
$34,191,124
-
$24,783,894
-
$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- CA 12 awards $107.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- MA 8 awards $83.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.420). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,483,968,520 | |
| 2025 | $1,201,153,417 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, medical institutions, hospitals, VA facilities, and nonprofit research organizations can apply. For-profit entities may apply in some cases but are less competitive.
What types of projects are funded?
Clinical trials testing new treatments, therapies, or rehabilitative approaches for spinal cord injury. Feasibility studies and phase I-III trials are typical funding priorities.
When is the deadline?
The next deadline is November 12, 2026. Applications open May 5, 2026. Check annually for recurring deadlines.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong preliminary data, experienced research teams, and clear clinical significance. Multi-institutional collaborations and veteran involvement strengthen applications.
How much funding is available?
Award amounts vary by project scope. Typical DoD research grants range from $100,000 to $3 million per year, but check the official FOA for specifics.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize clinical relevance and potential impact on patients with spinal cord injury. Veterans are a key population for DoD missions.
- Partner with established research institutions and experienced clinicians. DoD values institutional capacity and track records.
- Include preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of your trial design. Strong pilot work increases competitiveness significantly.
- Address regulatory compliance early, including IRB approval and FDA pathway if applicable. Delays sink applications.
- Align your research timeline with the funding cycle. DoD grants have strict milestones and require detailed project management plans.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or missing preliminary data undermines credibility of trial design. Vague clinical significance statements fail to demonstrate DoD relevance. Inadequate detail on veteran population engagement or benefit loses competitive advantage.
Similar grants
- OPEN DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Investigator-Initiated Research Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
- OPEN DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Translational Research Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
- OPEN DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Translation Research Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
- CLOSING SOON Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers — Administration for Community Living
- OPEN DoW Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program, Pilot Clinical Trial Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA