Open Call for Proposals

SPARK NS supports translational research projects at any stage of development between target identification and entry into clinical trials. Our program focuses on Parkinson’s disease and autism.

Selected projects receive up to $2,000,000 in milestone-based funding over the two-year period or participation, including discretionary funding for PIs of $50,000 per year. Remaining funds are dispersed based on development plans jointly created for each selected project by the project PI and SPARK NS. Not all funds awarded necessarily go to a PI’s laboratory. For example, funds for work done by vetted contracted research organizations or academic research facilities are paid by SPARK NS directly to these organizations.

The SPARK NS program provides PIs with funding, education, mentorship, and networking opportunities over two-years. The program uses a proven model for translational research developed, refined, and used since 2006. The model has an exceptional 50%³ success rate at advancing promising academic discoveries through the translational research phase as measured by three criteria: advancing projects to clinical trials; licensing to an existing company; obtaining independent investment to start a biotech company.

Learn more about how SPARK NS programs are different

SPARK NS accepts applications from biomedical researchers at academic or nonprofit research institutions in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. We value diversity and are committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive research environment. Applicants from all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Each application for the SPARK NS program must be completed by a single PI who holds a laboratory head position at a nonprofit academic or research institution. The PI is the responsible person for all program activities and requirements. The PI may name up to three co-investigators from their own or collaborating institutions. The PI may also list on the application an unlimited number of researchers as project team members, including post-doctoral fellows, senior scientists, and students.

The selection committee includes scientists who are generally familiar with relevant experimental methods and the subject matter, industry leaders with expertise in the various stages of the development and commercialization of therapeutics, and SPARK NS staff. Applicants for a SPARK NS program initially submit a written proposal describing their proposed product, which is reviewed by a selection committee. The selection committee chooses finalists from the pool of applicants. SPARK NS makes the final decisions about which projects to admit to the program.

SPARK NS has 75+ industry expert advisors with extensive experience and domain knowledge in every aspect of therapeutic discovery and development from the lab to the clinic, and specific diseases and conditions. Their areas of expertise include diagnostics and biomarkers, medicinal chemistry, antibody engineering, formulation, clinical trial designs, clinical operations, medical affairs, regulatory, pharmacology, legal and licensing, intellectual property, pharma business development, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and more.

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:

Clinical need. Projects must clearly define an unmet clinical need.

Underlying biology/technology. Projects must have a robust and novel approach that will lead to a first-in-class therapeutic.

Feasibility of translational objectives. Projects must have translational objectives with a high probability of being accomplished during the two-year program.

Potential applicants may contact SPARK NS with questions about submitting an application to the SPARK NS Translational Research Program, 2026 Cohort. Applicants are asked to contact SPARK NS well in advance of the submission deadline so we can better assist you with your application.

Marisol Urbano, Director of Programs
programs@sparkns.org

The dates for finalist presentations associated with the SPARK NS program are published early in the application process and well in advance of the dates. PIs who are not available to present on the required dates should not apply to the program.

Given the importance of collaboration with peers and industry expert advisors to the success of translational research, PIs who cannot attend scheduled education and training courses or virtual/in-person project updates and progress meetings should not apply to the program.

Applicants to the SPARK NS Program should not submit a project development plan or budget as part of the initial application or finalist presentation. Once projects are selected for the program, a project manager is assigned to each project. SPARK NS and the project PI subsequently work together on a development plan that includes a budget.