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Project Research Grants

Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation

The Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation is a privately funded research charity organisation with the exclusive aim to promote basic and clinical research related to spinal cord injury with the perspective to improve outcomes.

Basic research projects may address the following aspects of traumatic spinal cord injury

• nerve regeneration/plasticity

• neuronal and glial protection

• functional deficits induced by lesions

• preferentially in mammalian models

• preferentially on mechanisms present/validated in humans

Clinical research projects may address

• spinal cord injury management

• other areas related to traumatic spinal cord injury essential to the propagation of neurological and functional recovery

A preference is given to research projects, which have

• a perspective of translation from the laboratory to the clinical setting

• the potential to provide real benefits to spinal cord injury patients

• a focus on chronic spinal cord injury, in case applicable

Technological advancements like exoskeleton and brain spinal interfaces will be considered, if the focus lies on their application in the context of rehabilitation/plasticity. However, WfL does not fund projects which are only intended to improve technological development.

Despite unquestionable clinical relevance, basic or clinical projects in the areas of medical complications (bladder/bowel function, cardiovascular function, pressure ulcer, neuropathic pain, spasticity) represent only a secondary focus. Applications in those areas can only be considered, if the approach is novel, original and offers a unique and innovative treatment perspective or the ability to run clinical trials more effectively.

Budget request

a. Amount requested

b. Predicted budget allowance and justification for the first two years. Please ONLY enter given categories (Equipment, Personnel, Products, Training, Animals and animal care, Indirect costs (max. 10% of the direct costs, i.e. max 11.818 € if you apply for 130.000 €), Other (please specify), Travel costs to annual Wings for Life scientific meeting (This category is mandatory: 1.500 € within Europe, 3.000 € overseas))

c. Details on project personnel (max. 20% of the total budget can be used for PI and/or Co-PI salary (i.e. up to max 26.000 € per PI/Co-PI, if you apply for 130.000 €); total sum must be equal to Personnel allowance in section 7b)

d. Equipment (total sum must be equal to the Equipment allowance in section 7b)

Deadline for full applications: November 2nd, 2026 (upon invitation only)

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong alignment with spinal cord injury research priorities (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important evaluation criterion.

Competitive proposals should focus on:

Traumatic spinal cord injury
Nerve regeneration and neuroplasticity
Neuronal and glial protection
Functional recovery after SCI
Spinal cord injury management
Rehabilitation and neurological recovery
Mammalian models with relevance to human SCI

Projects outside traumatic SCI are generally less competitive.

2. Clear translational potential ("bench to bedside") (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Wings for Life explicitly gives preference to projects that:

Translate laboratory findings into clinical practice
Accelerate therapeutic development
Improve neurological recovery
Bridge basic science and clinical care

Translational relevance is one of the Foundation's strongest stated funding preferences.

3. Potential to provide meaningful benefits for SCI patients (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive proposals should demonstrate potential to:

Improve functional recovery
Restore neurological function
Improve rehabilitation outcomes
Enhance quality of life
Develop treatments with real clinical benefit

Projects with direct patient impact receive strong preference.

4. Scientific excellence and innovation (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful proposals demonstrate:

Novel hypotheses
Innovative experimental approaches
Original concepts
Strong scientific rationale
High-quality methodology

The Foundation seeks research capable of significantly advancing the SCI field.

5. Rigorous methodology and project feasibility (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications include:

Clearly defined aims
Robust experimental design
Appropriate statistical analysis
Realistic milestones
Feasible timelines
Reproducible methods

Projects should be technically sound and achievable within the funding period.

6. Focus on chronic spinal cord injury where appropriate (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

When applicable, Wings for Life gives preference to research addressing:

Chronic SCI
Long-term recovery
Persistent neurological deficits
Rehabilitation strategies for chronic injury

Projects that specifically address chronic SCI may receive additional consideration.

7. Appropriate use of advanced technologies with rehabilitation relevance (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Foundation supports technologies such as:

Artificial intelligence
Brain–spinal interfaces
Neurotechnology
Rehabilitation technologies
Exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation

However, technology development alone is not funded unless it clearly contributes to rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, or recovery.

8. Strong investigator expertise and collaborative research environment (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Reviewers consider:

Investigator qualifications
Publication record
SCI research experience
Institutional support
Collaborative multidisciplinary teams

Strong neuroscience, rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, and bioengineering collaborations strengthen applications.

9. Well-prepared Executive Summary and full application (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

The application process begins with an Executive Summary (LOI).

Competitive submissions provide:

Concise hypothesis
Clear scientific abstract
Well-defined research objectives
Strong rationale

Only the most competitive Executive Summaries are invited to submit a full proposal.

10. Appropriate budget and compliance with funding requirements (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Successful applications include:

Realistic budget
Appropriate personnel support
Compliance with eligibility requirements
Complete documentation
Timely submission

Projects should clearly justify requested resources and adhere to program guidelines.

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1630 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

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