RFA-NS-26-012
Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies for Acute Cerebroprotection – Network Sites and Coordinating Center (U01- CT Not Allowed)
Summary
Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN): Coordinating Center & Testing Sites
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is planning to fund a preclinical translational research network focused on cerebroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. This is a pre-announcement notice; applications are not yet being solicited. The Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) will establish a multi-center collaborative infrastructure for rigorous, replicable testing of neuroprotective interventions in experimental stroke models. The network aims to strengthen the translational pipeline by standardizing data collection and sharing practices across sites, reducing variability in preclinical findings, and accelerating the path from bench research to clinical trials. Research will span computational biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine, with emphasis on experimental stroke models and methodological rigor.
The network structure is fixed: up to 6 testing sites plus 1 Coordinating Center—a hard constraint that defines the cooperative agreement architecture. Testing sites will conduct peer-reviewed preclinical studies with built-in replication; the Coordinating Center will manage administration, coordination, and data sharing across the network.
- Who can apply: Institutions with expertise in preclinical stroke research and multi-center translational studies. Network is limited to exactly 6 testing sites + 1 Coordinating Center; applications proposing different configurations will not fit the mechanism.
- Funding & project length: Not stated.
- Award mechanism: Cooperative Agreements (U01).
- Key dates: NOFO publication date not yet announced; this is advance notice to allow collaboration planning.
- Best fit for: Neuroscience and translational research groups with established capacity in experimental stroke models, neuroprotection, and rigorous preclinical methodology seeking to join a coordinated multi-site testing network.
Insights (6)
Network architecture is non-negotiable: 6 sites plus 1 CC maximum
The opportunity explicitly limits SPAN to exactly 6 testing sites plus 1 Coordinating Center. This hard structural constraint means applications proposing alternative configurations (e.g., 8 sites, distributed coordination) will be ineligible regardless of scientific merit. Applicants must design their network architecture to fit this constraint precisely.
Rigor and replication emphasis favors sites with established preclinical stroke protocols
The NOFO emphasizes 'rigor with built-in replication' as a core network principle. Testing sites with existing validated acute ischemic stroke models, published replication studies, and documented quality control procedures will be significantly more competitive. Preliminary data demonstrating reproducibility across multiple cohorts strengthens positioning.
Coordinating Center role is distinct and administratively intensive
The CC is responsible for network administration, coordination, and data sharing infrastructure—not just scientific leadership. This role requires institutional capacity for multi-site data management, regulatory compliance across sites, and ongoing network governance. The CC applicant should emphasize administrative and informatics infrastructure, not just scientific credentials.
U01 mechanism favors established PIs with multi-site management experience
Cooperative Agreements (U01) typically require demonstrated ability to manage complex, collaborative research. Early-stage investigators without prior multi-site leadership experience may face competitive disadvantage, particularly for the CC role. ESI applicants are more competitive as Testing Site PIs if they bring novel methodologies or underrepresented stroke models.
Limited awards (7 total) create high selectivity despite broad stroke research field
Only 7 awards will be made (6 testing sites + 1 CC) across the entire U.S. preclinical stroke research community. This represents extreme selectivity. The specificity of scope (cerebroprotection, acute ischemic stroke models, translational focus) further narrows the competitive pool, but the absolute number of awards remains very small.
Data sharing and open science infrastructure is a core deliverable, not ancillary
The NOFO emphasizes data sharing as a primary network function. Applicants with established data management systems, experience with open-science platforms, or institutional commitment to preclinical data transparency will differentiate themselves. This is particularly important for the CC but also relevant for Testing Sites.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Tue, September 2, 2025
Expected Awards
1
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (3)
This is a pre-announcement notice, not an active funding opportunity. Applications are explicitly not being solicited at this time.
95%
Source Text
“Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.”
The network is limited to up to 6 testing sites plus 1 Coordinating Center. This is a hard structural constraint that may disqualify applications proposing different configurations.
90%
Source Text
“SPAN 3.0 will be a collaborative network for the preclinical testing of stroke treatments comprised of up to 6 peer-reviewed data collection sites that emphasize rigor with built-in replication and a Coordinating Center (CC) that will oversee administration, coordination, and data sharing of the network.”
The NOFO will use Cooperative Agreements (U01), which have different requirements than standard grants (R01, R21, etc.), including mandatory collaborative structure and specific governance obligations
85%
Source Text
“This NOFO will utilize Cooperative Agreements (U01).”