The SCIRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to SCI research, patient care, and/or quality of life. The FY15 SCIRP encourages applications that specifically address one or more of the following areas: 1. Pre-hospital, en route care, and early hospital management of SCI 2. Development, validation, and timing of promising interventions to address consequences of SCI and to improve recovery, including, but not limited to: â₏¢ Bladder, bowel, and autonomic dysfunction â₏¢ Cardiometabolic dysfunction â₏¢ Neuropathic pain and sensory dysfunction â₏¢ Pressure ulcers â₏¢ Respiratory dysfunction â₏¢ Sexual dysfunction 3. Identification and validation of best practices in SCI care including but not limited to: â₏¢ Critical care interventions â₏¢ Interventions for musculoskeletal health â₏¢ Rehabilitation interventions â₏¢ Surgical interventions â₏¢ Psychosocial and behavioral interventions in military/Veteran populations Important aspects of this award mechanism include: â₏¢ Impact: Applications should articulate both the short- and long-term impact of the proposed research. Projects should address an FY15 Area of Encouragement or other research areas relevant to SCI. â₏¢ Military Relevance: Projects should impact spinal cord injured military Service members, Veterans, and/or their family members, as well as their caregivers. All applications must specifically and clearly address the military relevance of the proposed research project. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged. â₏¢ Preliminary Data: Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinicianâ₏™s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that is relevant to SCI and the proposed research project. Investigator-Initiated Research Award applications may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity.