DoW Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Trial Award | HT942526SCIRPCTA

FY26 SCIRP Clinical Trial Award (CTA) FAQs

What is the FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA)?

The FY26 SCIRP Clinical Trial Award (CTA) is a U.S. Department of the Army (USAMRAA) funding opportunity intended to accelerate the launch and execution of clinical trials that could meaningfully improve how spinal cord injury (SCI) is treated or managed. The program emphasizes rapid implementation and real-world impact, with the expectation that funded trials can generate results capable of influencing clinical practice, patient outcomes, or standards of care for people living with SCI.

Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?

The offering agency is the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HT942526SCIRPCTA.

What type of grant is this (category/assistance listing)?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary grant in the science and technology / research and development category. It is associated with CFDA 12.420.

What is the main purpose or emphasis of this award?

The main emphasis is on moving quickly into a well-structured clinical trial and producing results with practical, real-world impact for SCI care. Proposals should be positioned for rapid trial implementation and designed to generate outcomes that can meaningfully affect patient care, clinical practice, or standards of care.

Does this award specifically support clinical trials?

Yes. The award is designed to accelerate the launch and execution of clinical trials related to SCI treatment or management, with an emphasis on rapid implementation and practice-changing impact.

What is the Early-Career Partnership Option?

The Early-Career Partnership Option is a distinguishing feature that allows a clinical trial project to be led by two Principal Investigators (PIs) under a coordinated partnership model. If this option is used, at least one of the two PIs must be an early-career investigator.

How does the two-PI partnership submission process work?

Under the Early-Career Partnership Option, only the Initiating PI submits the pre-application. If invited to the next stage, both PIs submit full applications later in the process. The Partnering PI submits an abbreviated application package focused on their specific, clearly defined portion of the overall research plan.

What does the Partnering PI submit in the full application stage?

The Partnering PI submits an abbreviated application package that covers the Partnering PI's specific and clearly defined portion of the overall research plan, reflecting the coordinated nature of the two-PI clinical trial project.

If funded, how are awards issued under the two-PI partnership model?

If selected for funding, each PI receives a separate award made to their respective organization. This structure reflects the two-PI partnership model while still representing one linked project.

Are the initiating and partnering applications linked?

Yes. The opportunity states that the applications are linked. If either the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn, the entire associated project package may be withdrawn as well. This makes coordination and compliance across both submissions critical.

What happens if one PI's application is withdrawn or rejected?

The program indicates that if either the Initiating PI or Partnering PI application is rejected or administratively withdrawn, the entire associated project package may be withdrawn. In other words, a problem with one linked submission can affect the whole partnership application.

Is engagement with the spinal cord injury community required?

Yes. A central requirement is direct, ongoing engagement with the SCI community throughout planning and implementation of the clinical trial.

How many SCI community partners are required?

Applications must include at least two SCI community partners.

Who can serve as an SCI community partner?

Examples given include individuals with lived experience who serve as consultants and representatives from community-based organizations. The key expectation is that these partners provide advice and consultation during both planning and implementation.

What role are SCI community partners expected to play?

SCI community partners are expected to provide advice and consultation throughout both the planning and implementation phases of the trial. This underscores patient-centered design, practical feasibility, and accountability to the needs and priorities of people affected by SCI.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to the requirements in the full announcement.

How many awards does the program anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making about two awards.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date is May 5, 2026.

What is the closing date for applications?

The original closing date is November 12, 2026.

Is the award ceiling (maximum funding) provided?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.

Where can applicants find budget limits, period of performance, and allowable costs?

Because the award ceiling and other financial/administrative details are not included in the provided listing, applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits, period of performance, allowable costs, and any trial-specific requirements.

What makes a competitive project concept for this award based on the listing?

Based on the listing, the program is looking for clinical trial proposals that can move rapidly into execution, are well-structured, and are positioned to produce results that could meaningfully improve SCI treatment or management in real-world settings. The listing also highlights the importance of sustained SCI community engagement and, if used, a tightly coordinated two-PI partnership model that includes an early-career investigator.