Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers | HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR SIMS 0217

Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers (SCIMS) Grant FAQs

What is the SCIMS funding opportunity?

The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers (SCIMS) funding opportunity is a discretionary federal grant administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The program supports Centers that generate and share research-based knowledge to strengthen a coordinated, multidisciplinary rehabilitation care system for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Which federal agency administers this grant?

This opportunity is administered by ACL through NIDILRR.

What is the main purpose of SCIMS Centers?

The overall purpose is to generate and share research-based knowledge that improves and strengthens a coordinated, multidisciplinary rehabilitation care system for individuals with SCI.

How does this program define “spinal cord injury (SCI)”?

For this program, SCI is defined broadly as a clinically discernible degree of neurologic impairment of the spinal cord. This broad definition frames the population that SCIMS Centers are expected to serve and study.

Are SCIMS Centers funded just to provide clinical services?

No. Funded SCIMS Centers are expected to do more than provide clinical services. They must also conduct required research activities and participate in the SCIMS longitudinal database.

What types of research are SCIMS Centers required to conduct?

SCIMS Centers must conduct both: (1) site-specific research, meaning projects led and implemented at the applicant site, and (2) collaborative research, meaning work conducted in coordination with other SCIMS Centers or the broader SCIMS network.

Is participation in the SCIMS longitudinal database required?

Yes. Participation in the SCIMS longitudinal database is a central, non-negotiable requirement. Each Center must collect standardized information and contribute data to the national long-term dataset.

What is the purpose of the SCIMS longitudinal database?

The database supports ongoing follow-up and long-range understanding of outcomes, services, and life impacts after SCI. It is designed to enable national, long-term tracking and analysis using standardized information collected by participating Centers.

Does the SCIMS longitudinal database affect funding levels?

Yes. The database component is used as a key factor in determining funding levels, including the number of longitudinal database participants eligible for follow-up at a Center.

What is the total project period for an award?

Awards are structured around a 60-month project period.

How are the budget periods structured within the project period?

The 60-month project period is divided into five 12-month budget periods.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $640,000.

Will every awardee receive the same amount of funding?

No. Funding is not necessarily uniform across awardees. Actual award amounts will vary up to the $640,000 maximum based on the number of SCIMS longitudinal database participants eligible for follow-up at a Center.

How is the final award amount determined?

While awards may vary based on eligible longitudinal database follow-up participants, final funding determinations are made by NIDILRR after selections are made.

Can existing SCIMS Centers receive higher funding than new applicants?

Existing Centers that already have substantially larger pools of eligible longitudinal database participants may receive higher funding within the permitted range, subject to final determinations by NIDILRR.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic entities, including state, county, city or township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible applicants as allowed under the announcement.

Can faith-based or community organizations apply?

Yes. Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they meet eligibility and program requirements.

Are foreign entities eligible to apply?

No. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this opportunity.

Is there a required clinical care capability to be eligible?

Yes. A key programmatic eligibility condition is that the applicant institution must be able to provide a full continuum of care for people with SCI.

What services must be included in the required “full continuum of care”?

The required continuum of care must include emergency medical services, acute care services, acute medical rehabilitation services, and post-acute services.

What does the continuum-of-care requirement imply about SCIMS Centers?

This requirement indicates that SCIMS Centers are intended to function as comprehensive systems of SCI care and research, not as standalone research units or single-setting providers.

What is the program category and CFDA number?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number listed is 93.433.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR SIMS 0217.

How many awards does ACL anticipate making?

ACL anticipates making about 14 awards.

What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is July 29, 2026.

When was the funding notice created?

The funding notice was created on June 22, 2026.