Request for Application (RFA): Translate Research into Neurorestorative Treatments

About Praxis

Praxis Spinal Cord Institute is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization that leads global collaboration in spinal cord injury (SCI) research, innovation and care. We accelerate the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments for people with SCI. Our strategic objectives include supporting work that leads to promising neurorestorative treatments and evidence-based care that are identified as priorities by Canadians living with SCI.

The term “neurorestorative treatments” is used broadly by Praxis to include early acute management to protect the spinal cord (e.g. pharmacologic therapies, surgical management) and/or facilitate repair at any time following injury (e.g. neuromodulation, rehabilitation training such as activity-based therapy [ABT]), with the goal to restore an individual’s function after SCI (e.g. walking, grasping and reaching, blood pressure, respiratory function, bowel, bladder and/or sexual function etc.) and reduce the impact of secondary complications (e.g. pressure injuries).

Background

Praxis has funded separate projects examining biomarkers (e.g. cerebrospinal fluid and serum, imaging) and neurorestorative treatments (e.g. spinal stimulation pilots, functional electrical stimulation pilots, ABT) at acute and rehabilitation SCI hospitals that are part of the National Canadian SCI Registry (RHSCIR) with the goal to improve assessment of impairment, advance development of promising treatment for SCI, and maximize function for people living with SCI.

However, given the low incidence and heterogeneity of SCI, more robust studies integrated with precision health approaches, artificial intelligence (AI), or other innovative technologies are needed to advance existing and emerging neurorestorative treatments. Integration with these new technologies will enable the development and testing of novel restorative therapies and algorithms for SCI to better define which patient population would be the best candidates for (and most likely to benefit from) specific treatments.

Description of the RFA

The objective of this RFA is to fund a team planning grant to catalyze and translate clinical research on neurorestorative treatments harnessing the potential of precision health approaches, AI, or other innovative technologies. The goal of the RFA is to increase access to neurorestorative treatments to improve function (neurological, physical, emotional), reduce secondary complications, and increase quality of life for individuals living with SCI.

Output/deliverable of this RFA:

• An application with a competitive proposal for a major external funding agency (e.g. Canadian Institutes of Health Research, U.S. Department of Defense, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation).

Funded grants will have a term ending no later than March 31, 2026 and with a maximum amount of $50,000 CAD each. At least two grants are expected to be awarded with the following requirements and subject to peer-review.

• Conducting a pilot study directly relevant to the preparation and writing of a competitive proposal and/or executing a strategy to engage other national and international SCI collaborators on developing a competitive proposal for submission to an external funding agency.
• Including one (e.g. neuromodulation) or a combination of neurorestorative treatments (e.g. nerve transfer and rehabilitation training).
• Integrating use of precision health approaches, AI, or other innovative technologies.
• Utilizing evidence-based measures and SCI data sets is encouraged, such as:
  • biomarkers, ranging from molecular biomarkers found in body fluids/tissues (e.g. neurochemical) to motion-based biomarkers (e.g. quantified activity) in body systems impacted by SCI;
  • nationally implemented outcome measures including the Standing and Walking Assessment Tool (SWAT), Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), and the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI or “ASIA exam”);
  • SCI data sets such as the International SCI Data Sets and the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) SCI Common Data Elements.
• It is highly encouraged to engage partners in multiple provinces/territories and internationally, as well as engage individuals/partners from equity-deserving groups.
• The team must include: researchers, clinicians, and persons with lived experience (PLEX) (may also include SCI community organizations, industry, or other partners as appropriate).
• Applicants are strongly recommended to identify matched funding from other sources or in-kind resources.
• Applicants are encouraged to utilize and leverage international and national SCI resources, either for the proposed work in this Praxis RFA and/or for the proposal to be submitted to an external funding agency. Examples of resources include:
  • Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) Guiding Principles to support meaningful engagement of partners throughout the project
  • North American SCI Consortium (NASCIC) to request input or involvement from PLEX
  • International SCI Biobank (ISCIB)
  • ISNCSCI Algorithm to score the ISNCSCI or “ASIA exam”
  • Clinical data collected on participants with SCI (e.g. National Canadian SCI Registry [RHSCIR])
  • Data platforms (e.g. Praxis Connect data capture platform, the National Imaging Repository) to store data. Email rhscir@praxisinstitute.org for more information
  • Open Data Commons for Spinal Cord Injury (ODC-SCI) to share and publish data
    Note: If leveraging Praxis’ resources for the current Praxis RFA, it is recommended to contact Praxis (funding@praxisinstitute.org) as soon as possible to learn more and a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the RFA closing date to confirm resources and include confirmation as part of your application.