SCI Research Collaboration Grant Guidelines and Application
Application dates for 2025: 16 April – 12 May
The link to apply is below.
GRANT OBJECTIVE
The Spinal Research Institute (SRI) funds SCI Research Collaboration Grants each year.
The objective of these grants is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and to build relationships between individuals, institutions and countries involved in spinal cord injury research by funding attendance at the ISCoS Annual Scientific Meeting. Attendance at the conference represents a unique opportunity to grow professionally and garner fresh ideas and collaborate with peers.
SCI Research Collaboration Grants are open internationally to SCI researchers, and clinicians with an interest in SCI research, who can demonstrate how the opportunity will enhance their research and research career development.
Full and partial grants will be awarded, covering the following, at the discretion of the Review Panel: conference registration, pre-meeting workshop, ISCoS membership (for new members only), conference dinner, accommodation, and flights (up to $2,500 AUD). Successful full and partial grant recipients will also receive a place in an interactive workshop on consumer engagement in research, facilitated by the SRI.
Travel insurance and travel visa must be arranged by the successful applicant and evidence provided to the SRI by no later than one month prior to the conference dates – see below.
Insurance
All successful applicants will be required to purchase travel insurance covering all dates of proposed travel. Evidence of purchase of this insurance must be supplied to the SRI immediately after travel is booked and no later than one month prior to the conference dates.
Visa
Successful applicants will be required to ascertain entry visa requirements and apply for any necessary visas from their home country to the ISCoS meeting location. Evidence of successful visa application must be communicated to the SRI no later than one month prior to the conference dates.
Researchers with lived experience of SCI are encouraged to apply.
Researchers from low resourced settings are encouraged to apply.
The SRI supports diversity in culture, nationality, gender, and ability.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not received an SCI Research Collaboration Grant previously.
Please do not apply if you have been a recipient of an SCI Research Collaboration Grant within the past two years.
FUNDING GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY
- The funds must be used for the purpose described in this grant information.
- Grants are open to researchers in SCI, and SCI clinicians with an interest in research.
- Applications from early career researchers (more than two years working in the field and less than five years post PhD) will be looked upon favourably.
- Applicants in an ongoing position will be looked upon favourably.
- Grant funding may cover any or all of the following, at the discretion of the Review Panel: conference registration, pre-meeting workshop, ISCoS membership (new members only), conference dinner, accommodation, and flights (up to a maximum of $2,500 AUD).
- Applicants must submit their applications using the online form provided.
- Applicants will be informed of the awarding of grants approximately four weeks after applications close.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received an SCI Research Collaboration Grant.
- Please do not apply if you have been a recipient of an SCI Research Collaboration Grant within the past two years.
- Applicants who have submitted an abstract to present at ISCoS this year will be looked upon favourably.
- It is expected that grant recipients will join the Spinal Cord Research Hub in the lead up to the ISCoS meeting.
- The SRI Patron’s Program must be acknowledged as a funding source in all publications, presentations and reports derived from the grant.
- A report detailing the funded experience, and what was accomplished and learned, must be submitted in writing within two months of the conclusion of the ISCoS meeting (up to 300 words). The SRI may choose to publish the report in its publications, website or social media platforms.
You can learn more about the SRI’s process for advertising, applying, assessing and awarding SCI Research Collaboration Grants below.
TO APPLY
Applicants are required to complete an online application form. Submissions must include the following:
Applicant information
- Personal details
- Institution name and location
- Head of Department name and email address
Supporting statements
- What research are you currently involved in? (100 words maximum)
- How would an SCI Research Collaboration Grant benefit your research? (100 words maximum)
- How will attending the conference enhance your research now and in the future? (100 words maximum)
- How does your research include/consider consumer involvement? If you have not considered consumer engagement so far, how do you plan to include consumers in the future? (100 words maximum)
- How does or will your research impact the lives of those living with SCI? (50 words maximum)
- Details of other funding, if applicable (100 words maximum)
- Short bio (100 words maximum)
Document upload
- Curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum one page)
- Individual photograph
If your application is shortlisted, you will be required to submit a signed letter of support from your Head of Department. A template will be provided. Evidence of travel insurance and an entry visa (if required) must be supplied, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to secure these in a timely manner, at least one month prior to the conference.
Advertising, assessing, and awarding the SCI Research Collaboration Grants.
The information below explains the Spinal Research Institute’s (SRI’s) process for advertising, assessing and awarding SCI Research Collaboration Grants.
ADVERTISING AND APPLICATION PROCESS
A notification/invitation for collaboration grant applications is advertised, at a minimum, via
- email – to the SRI’s newsletter distribution lists for Plexus and SCoRH, the Spinal Cord Research Hub
- SRI’s social media channels – Facebook, X and LinkedIn
- SRI’s website – thesri.org
The collaboration grant notification provides details of
- The purpose and objective of the collaboration grant
- What the grant will fund
- Funding guidelines
- Applicant eligibility criteria
- Application instructions
APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
Applications are assessed by the SRI’s Collaboration Grant Panel (the Panel):
- Dr Colleen O’Connell, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (Canada)
- Dr Andrei Krassioukov, University of British Columbia (Canada)
- Campbell Message, Paralympics Australia (Australia)
- Dr Glenn Cartwright, Spinal Research Institute (Australia)
- Larnie Ball, Spinal Research Institute (Australia)
If a member of the Panel has an association or conflict of interest with an applicant, they will not assess that particular application.
All eligible applications are assessed independently by Panel members and reviewed against the following criteria.
- Relevance to the SCI field.
- How the grant will enhance the applicant/s research collaborations and how it will support their research now and in the future.
- How the research addresses the consumer need and consumer input.
- Track record, past collaboration, and access to other research funding.
AWARDING OF FUNDING
Based on assessment results, the collaboration grant review committee selects the successful application(s) and recommends them to the SRI Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the final recommendation for funding to the SRI’s Board of Directors.
The SRI will advise applicants of the outcome of their collaboration grant applications via email.
For successful applicants, the Letter of Offer stipulates the grant conditions and the timing for receipt of reports detailing the grant experience. Instructions for reimbursement of flight and other costs (if relevant) for full grants will be detailed in the Letter of Offer to successful grantees. Successful applicants are asked to accept the Letter of Offer in writing.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about these grants, the process, or the application form, please email us at grants@thesri.org.
