DoD Spinal Cord Injury Investigator Initiated Research Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SCIRP Investigator Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Army under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). It supports innovative spinal cord injury (SCI) research proposals that are conceived and led by investigators and are intended to make a meaningful contribution to SCI science and/or improve patient care.

Who offers and administers this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the Department of the Army through USAMRAA under CDMRP.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this award?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-12-SCIRP-IIRA.

When was the IIRA first offered?

This award mechanism was first offered in FY09.

What is the main goal of the IIRA mechanism?

The mechanism is designed to support studies that can meaningfully advance spinal cord injury science and/or improve patient care, with an emphasis on both scientific merit and practical impact.

What populations does the program prioritize for impact?

The program emphasizes relevance and impact for military-relevant populations, specifically Service members and Veterans, and, where appropriate, their family members and caregivers.

What does "military relevance" mean for an application?

Every application must clearly and specifically explain the military relevance of the work. The connection to military medicine or military-relevant populations must be explicit rather than implied.

Is collaboration with military clinicians or researchers required?

Collaboration is encouraged (not stated as required). The program indicates an interest in projects informed by real-world military medicine and rehabilitation needs, and collaboration with military clinicians and researchers aligns with that emphasis.

What research areas and stages are supported under this award?

The IIRA has a broad scope and can support work across the research pipeline, from basic discovery through translational and preclinical development.

Are animal model studies allowed?

Yes. Proposed projects may involve animal models.

Are studies with human subjects allowed?

Yes, studies with human subjects may be supported, as long as the proposed work is not a clinical trial under the opportunity's definition.

Is research using human anatomical substances allowed?

Yes. Research using human anatomical substances is included as an allowable approach, provided the work does not meet the definition of a clinical trial.

Can this award support correlative or ancillary studies connected to an existing clinical trial?

Yes. The mechanism can support correlative or ancillary studies that leverage data or specimens tied to an existing clinical trial, as long as the proposed work itself is not a clinical trial.

Are clinical trials allowed under the IIRA?

No. Clinical trials are not permitted under this specific award mechanism.

How does this opportunity define a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is defined as a prospective study that accrues human subjects and tests an intervention with a measurable outcome tied to safety, effectiveness, efficacy, or exploratory endpoints. Interventions can include a drug, device, biologic, surgery, rehabilitation approach, behavioral intervention, or similar.

What kinds of projects would be considered a clinical trial and therefore not allowed?

If a project prospectively assigns or administers an intervention to people and evaluates outcomes as a direct effect of that intervention (for example, to assess safety, effectiveness, efficacy, or exploratory endpoints), it falls under the clinical trial category and is not allowed under the IIRA.

Where should investigators apply if they want to conduct a clinical trial?

Investigators who want to run a clinical trial are directed to the SCIRP Clinical Trial Award mechanism.

Is preliminary data required?

Yes. Preliminary data relevant to spinal cord injury and directly related to the proposed project is required.

What kinds of idea sources are recognized as valid starting points for proposals?

The program recognizes that strong ideas may originate from laboratory findings, population-based analyses, clinician observations of patient needs and outcomes, or well-founded anecdotal observations that motivate a testable hypothesis. Even so, applications are expected to be grounded in evidence through relevant preliminary data.

What type of funding instruments are used?

The opportunity uses grant and cooperative agreement funding instruments.

What is the activity category for this award?

The activity category is listed as "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of applicant organizations unless additional eligibility clarifications are stated in the full announcement.

How many awards were anticipated, and what was the estimated total funding?

The opportunity anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding level of $1,920,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting date was May 31, 2012. The application closing date was October 1, 2012. The opportunity was archived on October 31, 2012.

Where can applicants find guidance on distinguishing clinical research from clinical trials?

Applicants were directed to CDMRP's Human Subject Resource Document for guidance on distinguishing clinical research from clinical trials and for related compliance expectations.

Who should applicants contact for technical help accessing the full announcement?

For technical help accessing the full announcement, the CDMRP Help Desk was provided as the primary contact.