The Translational Research Projects (TRP) in Spinal Cord Injury (Round 6) funding opportunity, managed by the New York State Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Board, aims to support innovative research projects that advance treatments, rehabilitation, and understanding of spinal cord injuries. Applications are due by January 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET, and must be submitted electronically through the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS) portal.

Applicants must adhere to a detailed schedule of events. Letters of Interest and Conflict of Interest disclosures are due by December 11, 2024, followed by the Applicant Conference Registration Deadline on December 16, 2024, and the Applicant Conference itself on December 17, 2024. Any questions about the RFA must be submitted by December 24, 2024, with responses expected by December 31, 2024. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their proposals at least 48 hours before the deadline to address potential technical issues that might delay their submission.

Eligibility requires that not-for-profit applicants maintain prequalification status in the SFS. This includes the timely filing of key financial documents such as the IRS990, financial statements, and Charities Bureau filings, which must be kept current to avoid lapses in eligibility. Role assignments in the SFS system are also critical; organizations must designate a "Bid Response Initiator" and a "Bid Response Submitter" to complete and submit their applications.

The application process involves logging into the SFS Vendor Portal and searching for Event ID #TRANS62025. Applicants must follow the portal’s instructions, ensuring that all required fields and documents are completed and uploaded according to naming conventions and size restrictions. File names must only include letters, numbers, and underscores, with no special characters or password protections. The SFS system automatically checks for errors before submission, and applicants should allow adequate time to resolve any flagged issues.

Resources such as the Vendor User Guide, training webinars, and the SFS Public Portal are available to assist applicants. Questions about the application or the process can be directed to the NYSDOH at scirb@health.ny.gov or 518-474-7002. Live technical support is available throughout the submission process, although timely inquiries are recommended to ensure resolution before the deadline.

This funding opportunity provides a significant platform for advancing spinal cord injury research through translational projects. Researchers and organizations are encouraged to utilize the tools and support offered by the SFS system to prepare and submit their applications successfully. Additional details and guidance can be found on the SFS Public Portal or by contacting the NYSDOH directly.