Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies For Acute Cerebroprotection- Interventions (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA NS 22 066

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 22 066

The Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies for Acute Cerebroprotection - Interventions (RFA-NS-22-066) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) that supports preclinical, translational testing of promising cerebroprotective therapies for ischemic stroke. It uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning awardees do not work in isolation; they join a coordinated network where NIH and network partners have substantial scientific and operational involvement. The FOA explicitly does not allow clinical trials, and the focus is on rigorously designed preclinical studies intended to de-risk and prioritize candidates for later, pivotal clinical testing.

The central goal is to accelerate identification of the most promising acute cerebroprotective interventions that could be administered prior to or at the time of reperfusion, which aligns with modern stroke care where restoring blood flow (for example, through thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy) is a major therapeutic strategy. SPAN is designed to run head-to-head, parallel testing of multiple candidates, with capacity to evaluate up to eight cerebroprotective drugs or interventions in established experimental models of ischemic stroke, such as transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo). By standardizing methods across a dedicated network, SPAN aims to generate higher-confidence evidence than typical one-lab studies and to address common reasons prior neuroprotection efforts have failed to translate.

Applicants are expected to bring forward a specific intervention that is already supported by rigorous and extensive preliminary data. In other words, this program is not intended for early discovery or speculative concepts; it is meant for candidates that look genuinely ready for structured, confirmatory-style preclinical testing. If an intervention is selected for funding, the project lead (PI) becomes part of the SPAN collaboration and works closely with the SPAN Coordinating Center (referenced separately under RFA-NS-22-004) and designated testing laboratories (RFA-NS-22-003), alongside other intervention contributors under related FOAs (including RFA-NS-22-067). The network structure is intended to create an efficient pipeline that connects intervention developers (including small businesses) with independent preclinical testing capacity and, ultimately, a clearer path toward clinical development decisions.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding universities where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights inclusion of institutions and organizations such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, foreign participation is restricted: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) cannot apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed.

Administratively, this FOA is categorized as discretionary funding and falls under the health activity category (CFDA 93.853). It was created on May 16, 2022, with an original closing date of July 28, 2022. The listed award ceiling is $225,000. The FOA emphasizes that, if successful, SPAN should shorten timelines and reduce costs by using a shared infrastructure to vet multiple candidates under comparable conditions, producing stronger go/no-go evidence for which therapies deserve advancement toward future pivotal clinical trials aimed at acute cerebroprotection in ischemic stroke.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies For Acute Cerebroprotection- Interventions (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-05-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA NS 22 066

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