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SCIRTS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

Overview: This funding is for postdoctoral training specialization in the field of SCI and to prepare the fellow to move into an independent research position. Fellowships directly support the applicant (Fellow) while they are mentored (or co-mentored) by an investigator experienced in SCI research. The proposal should be written by the Fellow, with input from the mentor(s).

Key criteria include how the training and environment provided by the mentor(s) will enhance the Fellow’s research career and qualifications, as well as the scientific merit of the proposal and its relevance to the Neilsen Foundation’s mission.

Funding for the two-year project is up to $100,000/year for a maximum total cost of $200,000.

Details for this category:

• Fellows must have attained their doctoral degree or an equivalent terminal professional degree by the LOI submission deadline and have held that degree no longer than five years before the FGA submission deadline. For Fellows with a MD, the five-year eligibility period begins after completion of the residency program.

• A two-page Training Plan is required when submitting a FGA.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🧠 1. Strict Focus on Spinal Cord Injury (Non-Negotiable)

All funded projects must directly address:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI)—acute, chronic, or rehabilitation phases
Includes:
- Mechanistic, preclinical, clinical, and psychosocial research

👉 Non-SCI topics are not eligible

🔄 2. Strong Translational Continuum (Top Predictor)

The foundation explicitly supports:

Research across the “translational spectrum”
- Basic → preclinical → clinical → implementation

👉 Projects must show:
Clear pathway toward improving treatment, function, or care

🎯 3. Clear Impact on Function & Quality of Life (Most Critical)

Successful proposals demonstrate:

Improvements in:
- Functional recovery
- Complication management
- Independence and participation

👉 Central evaluation question:
“Will this improve life outcomes for people with SCI?”

🔬 4. High Scientific Merit & Innovation

Funded projects must show:

Novelty + strong scientific rationale
Potential to advance understanding or treatment

👉 Required across all portfolios (basic to clinical)

🧪 5. Feasible, Milestone-Driven Research Plan

Typical grants:
- 2–3 years
- ~$200K–$800K
Must include:
- Clear aims
- Achievable timeline
- Defined deliverables

👉 Overly ambitious or vague proposals are commonly rejected

🤝 6. Inclusion of People with Lived SCI Experience (Unique Predictor)

Increasing emphasis on:
- Patient involvement in research design and execution

👉 Meaningful engagement strengthens proposals

🧬 7. Broad Portfolio Alignment (Choose the Right Track)

Higher success when aligned with one of the foundation’s key programs:

Research

Translational SCI research
Psychosocial research

Programs

Community independence
Accessibility & inclusion

👉 Correct program fit significantly affects success

👩‍🔬 8. Investigator Development (Early-Career Advantage)

Supports:
- Postdoctoral fellowships
- Early-stage researchers

👉 Strong mentorship + career trajectory improves success

🌍 9. Real-World Applicability & Scalability

Preference for:
- Interventions usable in clinical or community settings
Includes:
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive technologies
- Community integration programs

👉 Practical implementation is highly valued

📑 10. Competitive, Two-Stage Review Process

Typical process:
1. Letter of Intent (LOI)
2. Invited full proposal

👉 Only top LOIs proceed → clarity and alignment early is critical

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

SCI-specific focus
Translational pathway
Patient/functional impact

Moderate predictors:
4. Scientific merit & innovation
5. Feasibility
6. Program alignment

Supporting factors:
7. Patient involvement
8. Investigator strength
9. Real-world applicability

💡 Insider Insight

Compared to NIH or general neuroscience funders:

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation is:
👉 highly mission-driven (SCI only)
👉 strongly translational + quality-of-life focused

👉 Winning formula:
SCI relevance + translational pathway + real-world impact

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Pulmonology

Eligibility Requirements

The following applies to all funding categories:

• Applicants must have a doctoral degree or equivalent professional degree (e.g., PhD, MD, DVM).

 Non-fellowship applicants must demonstrate appropriate experience to serve as an independent PI. The Neilsen Foundation encourages eligible PIs who represent a wide range of disciplines to apply; however, it is required that relevant SCI expertise be represented on the proposed research project team.

• The grantee organization must be a nonprofit academic/research institution or rehabilitation facility located in the United States or Canada with the capability to conduct grant-funded research.

 The Applicant named in a grant application must be employed by and deemed eligible by the grantee organization to apply for a grant and is expected to be responsible for conduct of the research. The Applicant is not required to be a citizen of the United States or Canada.

 Each application must include the appropriate endorsement of an institutional official who is responsible for the administration of grant funds (hereafter known as the “Grants Administrator”).

• Neilsen Foundation grants are not awarded to individuals, private foundations, or non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations.

• A PI may submit only one application in each cycle in this portfolio (see PART 3, Section A., Concurrent Grants Across Neilsen Foundation Portfolios).

• The Neilsen Foundation does not recognize Co-Principal Investigators—if two or more investigators are working together on a research project, name only one as the Applicant; the other(s) should be listed as collaborator(s). Collaborators and/or consultants do not need to be affiliated with the same institution as the PI; a subcontract may be used to support a domestic or international collaborator or consultant.

• Multiple PIs from an institution may submit concurrent, independent applications in a given grant cycle. In such cases, each project must be distinct, with non-overlapping Aims.

• The Neilsen Foundation discourages Postdoctoral Fellows and their mentor(s) from submitting concurrent applications with overlapping Aims to multiple funding categories within this portfolio.

• It may not be necessary to provide preliminary data. Neilsen Foundation funding may be sought to allow the Applicant to obtain data to establish a line of research if the proposal provides strong rationale (i.e., support from the literature or use in an indication other than SCI) that justifies testing the hypotheses with the proposed experimental design. However, if feasibility issues add an unacceptable risk of failure, reviewers may note that preliminary data to address this risk should have been provided.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 18653 Ventura Blvd. #753 Tarzana, CA 91356

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