Department of Defense (DoD) Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Award

The SCIRP TRA is intended to support translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in SCI research into clinical applications. Although not all-inclusive, some examples include demonstration studies of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in preclinical systems and/or clinical research on therapeutics, devices, or practice using human tissues or resources.

The ultimate goal of translational research is to move an observation forward into clinical application and accelerate the clinical introduction of healthcare products, technologies, or practice guidelines. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from a laboratory discovery, population-based studies, or a clinician’s first-hand knowledge of patients and anecdotal data. However, applicants should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside. The research plan is encouraged to involve a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic and clinical science.

Applicants need to clearly articulate three points along the translational research spectrum:

• Where the field is now;

• Where the field will be after the successful completion of the proposed research project; and

• What the next step will be after completion of the proposed project.

Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to SCI and supports the proposed research project. The proposed research must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public.