Funding Priorities

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation supports scientific, charitable and educational organizations conducting spinal cord injury research, training in spinal cord medicine and providing services to assist individuals who have sustained such injuries.

Most of the Foundation’s grant competitions begin with submission of a brief Letter of Intent (LOI), which is reviewed by staff and external experts for mission relevance and other criteria as defined in the corresponding Application Guide. Full grant applications are only accepted from applicants invited to apply via the LOI process.

Grants are awarded only to qualifying non-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada, and are not awarded to individuals. All grantees will be required to verify their tax-exempt status and eligibility for funding as detailed in the Application Guide.

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation supports diverse grant portfolios in research, education and quality life programs. The totality of our funding in these areas touches all aspects of the field, in accordance with our mission. Improving the lives of all people affected by spinal cord injuries is our primary goal.

  1. Spinal Cord Injury Research on the Translational Spectrum (SCIRTS) grants emphasize opening new areas of research and filling gaps in the field. The SCIRTS program has a broad scope, including strategies to restore function, mechanistic research applied to spinal cord injury, preclinical modeling, translational and clinical research.
  2. Psychosocial Research (PSR) grants focus on the interrelation of psychological and social factors that impact the quality of life of people affected by spinal cord injury. Research areas of interest include aging, caregiving, employment, health behaviors and fitness, independent living, self-management/self-care and technology access.
  3. Quality of Life Programs (QOL) support innovative projects designed to improve independence for people living with a spinal cord injury. Areas of focus include: assistive technology, education, employment, independent living, rehabilitation, and sports and recreation.
  4. The Neilsen Scholarship Program (NSP) provides support for undergraduate and graduate students with spinal cord injury at selected colleges, universities and community colleges in the U.S. to eliminate barriers to academic success.
  5. Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowships (SCIMF) are intended to increase the number of qualified physicians who are trained in the field of spinal cord injury medicine. Only sites with this ACGME established training program are eligible to apply.
  6. Spinal Cord Injury-Related Projects grants are made on a limited basis. The Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors consider meritorious and unique opportunities to enhance the field, and develop Special Grant projects through customized solicitations and special emphasis review panels.
  7. Neilsen Vision and Values Projects are Board-driven discretionary philanthropic gifts. Under limitations set forth in its charter, the Neilsen Foundation funds selected programs outside of spinal cord injury. These grants generally follow the pattern established by Craig H. Neilsen during his lifetime, and reflect the Foundation’s vision and values.