SCI Research Collaboration Grant Guidelines and Application

IMPORTANT DATES

• ISCoS 2026 abstract submission outcomes communicated: 30 April 2026
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant applications open: 30 April 2026
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant applications close: 24 May 2026, 11:59pm AEST
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant outcomes announced: by 30 June 2026

GRANT OBJECTIVE

The Spinal Research Institute (SRI) funds SCI Research Collaboration Grants each year as part of its commitment to strengthening international research collaboration and supporting the development of emerging leaders in spinal cord injury (SCI) research.

The objective of these grants is to enable eligible Early Career Clinicians and Researchers (ECRs), as the lead and presenting author of an accepted abstract, to present their research at the 65th International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting (ISCoS 2026), taking place 7–10 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

By funding attendance and active presentation at ISCoS 2026, the grants aim to:

• facilitate the exchange of knowledge;
• strengthen international research collaboration;
• build meaningful relationships across the global spinal cord injury research community;
• support professional and research career development; and
• encourage consumer-informed research practice.

SCI Research Collaboration Grants are open internationally to SCI researchers, and clinicians with an interest in SCI research. Applicants must be the lead and presenting author of an accepted ISCoS 2026 abstract and demonstrate how the opportunity will enhance their research development and collaborative capacity.

FUNDING INCLUSIONS

Full and partial grants may be awarded and may include the following expenses.

• Conference registration
• Pre-conference courses
• ISCoS membership (new members only)
• Early Career Researcher breakfast
• Conference dinner
• Welcome reception
• Local clinic tour
• Accommodation
• Return economy flights and reasonable ground transport to and from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (combined maximum of AU $2,500 for travel-related expenses).

Prior to ISCoS 2026, successful full and partial grant recipients will participate in a dedicated online session with SRI staff and fellow recipients. This session will include a meet-and-greet and an interactive workshop on consumer engagement in research, facilitated by the SRI.

Funding inclusions are subject to assessment by the SRI Collaboration Grant Review Panel and final approval in accordance with SRI’s formal governance processes and the approved annual budget.

FUNDING EXCLUSIONS

The SCI Research Collaboration Grant does not cover the following expenses.

• Travel insurance
• Visa application fees
• Passport costs
• Personal expenses during travel
• Additional travel not directly related to attending ISCoS 2026

APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES

Travel insurance
All successful applicants will be required to purchase travel insurance covering the full duration of their proposed travel. Evidence of purchase must be supplied to SRI immediately after travel is booked and no later than one month prior to the conference dates.

Visa
Successful applicants must confirm entry visa requirements and apply for any necessary visas from their home country to attend the ISCoS 2026. Evidence of visa approval (where required) must be communicated to SRI no later than one month prior to the conference dates.

FUNDING GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY

As part of SRI’s commitment to building research capability and supporting early-career talent, the SCI Research Collaboration Grants contribute to strengthening the international SCI research ecosystem through global collaboration and consumer-informed research practice.

Applicants with lived experience of SCI are encouraged to apply.

Applicants working in low-resource settings, including those based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are encouraged to apply.

Please do not apply if you have previously been a recipient of an SCI Research Collaboration Grant.

Eligibility

The SCI Research Collaboration Grants are open internationally to eligible Early Career Clinicians and Researchers in the spinal cord injury field who:

• are within five years (full-time equivalent) of completing their highest degree (e.g., PhD, MD, Master’s), with recognised career interruptions (such as parental leave, illness, or caring responsibilities) not counted toward the five-year period;
• have not previously received an SCI Research Collaboration Grant or Travel Grant from the Spinal Research Institute;
• are the lead and presenting author of an accepted abstract at ISCoS 2026 (i.e. the individual who will deliver the presentation at the conference); and
• can demonstrate how participation will strengthen their research development and collaborative capacity.

Sanctions compliance

Applicants must comply with Australian Government sanctions requirements. Individuals or entities listed on the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Consolidated Sanctions List, or those located in sanctioned countries or regions, are not eligible to receive funding.

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Applicants must submit their application using the online form provided.

The SRI may verify abstract and presentation details with ISCoS where required.

Applications that meet all eligibility criteria will be independently assessed and scored by members of the SRI Collaboration Grant Review Panel against the published assessment criteria.

Applications will be assessed with consideration to:

• the quality and relevance of the submitted abstract and its contribution to the SCI field;
• the potential for the grant to strengthen research collaboration and support research development within the SCI community;
• the extent to which the work reflects consumer priorities and demonstrates meaningful and appropriate consumer involvement; and
• the applicant’s broader context, including career stage, track record, past collaboration experience, and access to other research funding.

Funding allocations will be determined in accordance with SRI’s formal governance processes and within the approved annual budget.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

Successful applicants are required to:

• attend ISCoS 2026 and present their accepted abstract as the lead and presenting author;
• join SCoRH, the Spinal Cord Research Hub, and the 2026 Collaboration Grantee Community group in the lead up to ISCoS 2026;
• acknowledge the SRI Patron’s Program as a funding source in all publications, presentations and reports derived from the grant; and
• submit a written report (maximum 300 words) within two months of the conclusion of ISCoS 2026 outlining their experience, collaborations developed, and key learnings.

If a recipient is unable to attend or present, they must notify the Spinal Research Institute as soon as possible.

SRI reserves the right to withdraw or adjust funding, including requiring reimbursement of funds where appropriate.

The SRI may publish recipient reports through its publications, website, or social media platforms.

Post-conference reporting and ongoing engagement within the SCoRH community contribute to strengthening global research collaboration and consumer-informed research practice.

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 / organisation, department or faculty
• City, country of origin, and country of residence
• Head of Department (or equivalent) name and email address

Eligibility and background information

• Confirmation of Early Career status (≤5 years post-PhD; career interruptions considered)
• Description of any career interruptions (if applicable)
• Confirmation that the applicant has not previously received an SRI Research Collaboration or Travel Grant
• Number of years actively contributing to the SCI field
• Confirmation of an accepted abstract for ISCoS 2026 as the lead and presenting author

Supporting statements

Applicants must be the lead and presenting author of an accepted ISCoS 2026 abstract to proceed with this application.

Applicants will be asked to respond to the following questions.

• Provide a brief overview of the significance of your accepted abstract and its contribution to the SCI field. (50 words maximum)
• Briefly describe your current research or professional work related to spinal cord injury. (100 words maximum)
• How does, or how will, your research or professional work impact the lives of people living with spinal cord injury? (100 words maximum)
• Describe how you have engaged with people with spinal cord injury to help inform your work. (100 words maximum)
• How did you involve people with spinal cord injuries in co-designing activities or aspects of your research or professional work beyond the role of research participant? (100 words maximum)
• Who are you hoping to connect with through this grant (e.g. researchers, clinicians, Special Interest Groups, or working groups), and why? How do you intend to use attendance at ISCoS 2026 to initiate or strengthen these collaborations? Please outline the specific activities you plan to undertake. (200 words maximum)
• What outcomes do you expect from these collaborations in the next 12–24 months? How does this grant support your ongoing or future involvement in the SCI research or clinical community beyond the grant period? (100 words maximum)
• Please outline any other funding you have access to, or are seeking, to support your attendance at ISCoS 2026. Include source and indicative amount. (100 words maximum)
• Briefly explain how the Collaboration Grant would support your attendance at ISCoS 2026. (100 words maximum)

Document upload

Applicants will be required to upload the following documents.

• The accepted abstract submitted for ISCoS 2026
• A screenshot of the abstract acceptance email
• Curriculum vitae (CV) – maximum two pages

Additional information for shortlisted applicants

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation to support eligibility verification and grant administration. This may include confirmation from their Head of Department, proof of identity, and other supporting information requested by the Spinal Research Institute.

IMPORTANT DATES

• ISCoS 2026 abstract submission outcomes communicated: 30 April 2026
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant applications open: 30 April 2026
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant applications close: 24 May 2026, 11:59pm AEST
• SCI Research Collaboration Grant outcomes announced: by 30 June 2026

ADVERTISING, ASSESSING, AND AWARDING THE SCI RESEARCH COLLABORATION GRANTS

The information below outlines the SRI’s process for advertising, assessing and awarding SCI Research Collaboration Grants.

Advertising and application process

A notification inviting applications for the SCI Research Collaboration Grants will be advertised, at a minimum, via:

• email – to the SRI’s newsletter distribution lists for Plexus and SCoRH, the Spinal Cord Research Hub;
• the SRI’s social media channels – Facebook, X and LinkedIn; and
• the SRI’s website – thesri.org.

The grant notification will include details of:

• the purpose and objective of the collaboration grant;
• what the grant will fund;
• funding guidelines;
• applicant eligibility criteria; and
• application instructions.

Application assessment

Applications are assessed by the SRI’s Collaboration Grant Panel (the Panel):

• Panel members to be confirmed

If a member of the Panel has an association or conflict of interest with an applicant, they will not assess that particular application.

Applicants must submit their application using the online form provided.

All eligible applications will be independently assessed and scored by members of the SRI Collaboration Grant Review Panel against the published assessment criteria.

Applications will be assessed with consideration to:

• the quality and relevance of the submitted abstract and its contribution to the SCI field;
• the potential for the grant to strengthen research collaboration and support research development within the SCI community;
• the extent to which the work reflects consumer priorities and demonstrates meaningful and appropriate consumer involvement; and
• the applicant’s broader context, including career stage, track record, past collaboration experience, and access to other research funding.

Funding allocations will be determined in accordance with SRI’s formal governance processes and within the approved annual budget.

Awarding of funding

All eligible applications will be assessed and scored by the SRI Collaboration Grant Review Panel. Panel members will individually assess applications against the published assessment criteria, and aggregate scores will be calculated.

Based on aggregate scores, the Review Panel will recommend those applicants considered suitable for funding.

The SRI Chief Executive Officer will make the final determination of grant allocations for recommended applicants, including whether awards are provided as full or partial grants. The number and value of grants awarded each year will depend on the available budget. The SRI will advise applicants of the outcome of their collaboration grant applications via email.

Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer outlining the conditions of the grant and the timing for submission of reports describing their grant experience.

Where relevant, instructions for the reimbursement of flights and other approved expenses will also be provided in the Letter of Offer.

Successful applicants will be required to confirm their acceptance of 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.