About SPARK NS

SPARK NS is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to more efficiently advancing promising academic discoveries in neuroscience from the lab to the clinic.

A woman and a man wearing protective eyeglasses, examining a beaker, with an light blue circle.

Our Vision

Every person with a neurological disorder has safe and effective treatments and cures.
The problem

14% of biomedical discoveries make it to the clinic.1

The Need

More Effective Drug Development


Close gaps in knowledge and know-how

Academic researchers often have gaps in knowledge and know-how about how to translate discoveries.

Bridge cultural divide

A cultural divide exists between academic researchers and industry that discourages collaboration.

Support translation efforts
Academia lacks the infrastructure to support researchers’ needs during translation and commercialization.

The SPARK NS Solution

Unconventional model of translational research with high-level of support and accountability

Start With The End in Mind

Focus on the patient throughout the drug development process

Milestone-Based Funding

Dispersed by SPARK NS based on jointly developed Drug Development Plans designed to meet translational objectives quickly and efficiently

Collaboration and Community

Projects work in and across cohorts and with industry expert advisors to share ideas, information, and resources so each project and all projects advance

Learn about ourProgram
A proven model

Developed, Refined, and Used Since 2006

The foundation of the SPARK NS program is a proven model for translational research developed, refined, and used for 20 years. The originator of the model, Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhD, and Kevin Grimes, MD, play key roles at SPARK NS.

Success Rate

50+% of projects that use the SPARK model advance.2

Our Values

  • A stopwatch

    Act with Urgency

    We are reinventing a process that results in the failure of 86% of drug and diagnostics development efforts.

  • Line drawing of 3 people working together in a circle

    Work Together

    We work in cross-disciplinary teams to share knowledge, learn from each other’s successes and failures, and collaborate so everyone can succeed. 

  • People

    Remove Ego from the Process

    We create environments where all voices are heard and everyone can put aside competing interests for the benefit of patients.

  • People

    Value Creativity and Accept Risk

    We cultivate curiosity, creativity, and innovation and are prepared to tackle high-impact, high-risk endeavors. 

  • Clock

    Embrace a Growth Mindset

    We continually seek ways to improve, extend, and enhance our model, programs, and operations. 

  • Patients

    Put Patients First

    We bring patients’ needs into academic research at the earliest stage to help ensure that therapeutics meet an unmet need and are safe and effective.

Our People

We’re scientists, educators, project managers, industry experts, and business leaders working together to more effectively advance academic discoveries from the lab to the clinic. Interested in working at SPARK NS?

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2 women working across a desk.
Call for Proposals

SPARK NS Translational Research Program, 2027 Cohort

SPARK NS is now accepting applications from principal investigators developing therapeutics for autism and Parkinson's disease in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Deadline to apply is June 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm.

All the Details

  1. Wong, C.H., Siah, K.W, and Lo, A.W. Estimation of clinical trial success rates and related parameters. Biostatistics 20, 273-286, . (2019).

  2. Kim, J.S., Kargotich, S., Lee, S.H. et al. SPARKing academic technologies across the valley of death. Nat Biotechnol 42, 339–342 (2024).