WINGS Project Funding

WINGS Project Funding is sponsored by WINGS. WINGS provides project funding and business support for teams to self-publish their games, with a focus on supporting teams founded or co-founded by women and gender-marginalized developers.

The Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation is a privately funded research charity organization with the exclusive aim to promote basic and clinical research related to spinal cord injury with the perspective to improve outcomes.

### Basic research projects Basic research projects may address the following aspects of traumatic spinal cord injury * nerve regeneration/plasticity * neuronal and glial protection * functional deficits induced by lesions * preferentially in mammalian models * preferentially on mechanisms present/validated in humans ### Clinical research project Clinical research projects may address * spinal cord injury management * other areas related to traumatic spinal cord injury essential to the propagation of neurological and functional recovery ### A preference is given to research projects, which have...

* a perspective of translation from the laboratory to the clinical setting * the potential to provide real benefits to spinal cord injury patients * a focus on chronic spinal cord injury, in case applicable Despite unquestionable clinical relevance, basic or clinical projects in the areas of medical complications (bladder/bowel function, cardiovascular function, pressure ulcer, neuropathic pain, spasticity) represent only a secondary focus.

Applications in those areas can only be considered, if the approach is novel, original and offers a unique and innovative treatment perspective or the ability to run clinical trials more effectively. Technological advancements like exoskeleton and brain spinal interfaces will be considered, if the focus lies on their application in the context of rehabilitation/plasticity.

However, we do not fund projects which are only intended to improve technological development. Wings for Life, in partnership with the Microsoft Health/AI-for-Good Lab, is launching a brand-new AI Project Grant to accelerate innovation in spinal cord injury research. Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs can now request up to **20%** of the total project budget for **salary support.

** Good to know: **Postdocs** are explicitly eligible to apply for Project Grants, offering valuable support at this early stage of your career. ## What funding formats do we offer? Wings for Life has three different funding formats: From basic to clinical research Wings for Life Accelerated Translational Program (ATP) This grant is intended only to cover the salary of the applicant: Post-docs, PhDs, and/or technicians.

The goal of the individual grant is to encourage new investigators who work on regeneration and recovery processes to develop new ideas and/or transfer their efforts of other areas into spinal cord research. ### Project research grants This grant is intended to sustain a full research project.

Funds cover personnel, equipment, consumables, etc. The goal of the project research grant is to encourage young and established investigators who work on regeneration and recovery processes to develop new ideas and/or transfer their efforts of other areas into spinal cord research.

From basic to clinical research This grant is intended to sustain the costs of a larger project grant supplemented with in-kind support from Microsoft in Azure Credits. Leverage AI and data science to drive innovation, uncover new mechanisms and treatment options, and pave the way for future breakthroughs and potential cures for spinal cord injuries.

### Wings for Life Accelerated Translational Program (ATP) Even with very promising discoveries, the translation from scientific discovery to applied therapeutics is a long and difficult road due to e.g. regulatory burdens, complexities of clinical trial design, patient recruitment, and the high cost of cutting edge research.

The Wings for Life Accelerated Translational Program (ATP) has been specifically designed to be able to accommodate obstacles to efficient clinical translation. The ATP strives to assist applicants to find the best way forward in clinical translation of high caliber, promising therapies. The ATP is supported by a network of clinicians, scientists, and other professionals with expertise in all aspects of clinical trials.

Select members of the ATP Support Network will be called upon, as required, to assist in ensuring that treatments with auspicious potential are translated in the most scientifically rigorous and efficient way possible. ATP consultations are available to discuss your translational pathway and to help “bridge” specific obstacles that you may be facing.

## Deadlines for the next funding period Submission of executive summary by ATTENTION: Submission of the Full Grant Application upon invitation only by November 1st Submission of executive summary by ATTENTION: Submission of the Full Grant Application upon invitation only by November 1st Submission of executive summary by ATTENTION: Submission of the Full Grant Application upon invitation only by mid-March 2026 Accelerated Translational Program (ATP) No deadlines for clinical proposals for the Accelerated Translational Program (ATP).

Executive summaries will be reviewed as they are received (please submit via email using the downloadable file below). Send an executive summary Before sending the full application for grant formats A), B) or C), the principal investigators are required to send an executive summary. Before sending the full application for grant formats A), B) or C), the principal investigators are required to send an executive summary.

For Individual Grants & Project Research Grants & AI Project Grants Use our online application process at science. wingsforlife. com For Accelerated Translational Program Wait for an answer, then send the full application Acceptance or rejection of the projects (prior to sending the full application) will be communicated shortly afterwards.

Acceptance or rejection of the projects (prior to sending the full application) will be communicated shortly afterwards. Executive Director Research Portfolio Research Portfolio Manager