Wings for Life: basic and clinical research related to spinal cord injury – executive summary

The Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation is a privately funded research charity organisation with the exclusive aim to promote basic and clinical research related to spinal cord injury with the perspective to improve outcomes.

Basic research projects may address the following aspects of traumatic spinal cord injury

• nerve regeneration/plasticity
• neuronal and glial protection
• functional deficits induced by lesions
• preferentially in mammalian models
• preferentially on mechanisms present/validated in humans

Clinical research projects may address

• spinal cord injury management
• other areas related to traumatic spinal cord injury essential to the propagation of neurological and functional recovery

A preference is given to research projects, which have…

• a perspective of translation from the laboratory to the clinical setting
• the potential to provide real benefits to spinal cord injury patients
• a focus on chronic spinal cord injury, in case applicable

Funding mechanisms:

• Individual Grants: intended only to cover the salary of the applicant
• Project Research Grants:  intended to sustain a full research project. Funding: up to 130,000 € per year for up to 3 years. all inclusive. Indirect costs (overhead costs) are limited to 10% of direct costs
• [To be issued] AI Project Grant, From basic to clinical research: intended to sustain the costs of a larger project grant supplemented with in-kind support from Microsoft in Azure Credits.  Funding: up to 300.000 € per year for up to 3 years. Indirect costs (overhead costs) are limited to 10% of direct costs.  Additionally, Azure Credits up to the amount of 300.000 € per year can be requested.

https://www.wingsforlife.com/uk/research/application/#format-3