The SCIRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) mechanism was first offered in FY09. Since then, 104 Investigator-Initiated Research Award applications have been received, and 19 have been recommended for funding. The IIRA is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to SCI research and/or patient care. Projects should be innovative, address an Area of Encouragement, and be applicable to the health care needs of military Service members, veterans, and/or their caregivers and family members. All applications must specifically and clearly address the military relevance of the proposed research. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged. Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial.