Funder: Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation
Due Dates: August 13, 2026 (Summer: K08/K23, passed) | January 14, 2027 (Winter: K08/K23/K12) | April 22, 2027 (Spring: K08/K23)
Funding Amounts: Bridge support; award terms are provided in the SPARK guidance and application document
Summary: Bridge funding helps early-stage pediatric neurology investigators strengthen unsuccessful NIH K08, K23, or CNCDP-K12 applications for resubmission.
Key Information: Applicants must intend to resubmit their career development application within one year of SPARK award notification.
Description
The SPARK Grant, administered by the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation (PERF), supports early-stage investigators beginning research careers in pediatric neurology. It provides bridge support between an initial, unsuccessful career development award application and a successful resubmission, helping investigators strengthen their proposals while maintaining progress in child neurology research.
The program is specifically tied to NIH K08 and K23 Career Development Awards and the CNCDP-K12 Career Development Program, rather than serving as a general research award. Its purpose is to sustain investigators during the interval before resubmission and support their continued trajectory toward career development funding.
