Newsletter

March 2026

Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhD, Chief Science and Education Advisor of SPARK NS

Now Open: SPARK NS Call for Proposals, 2027 Cohort

SPARK NS is now accepting applications from academic researchers developing therapeutics for autism, Parkinson's disease, and adjacent disorders for the 2027 Cohort of the SPARK NS Translational Research Program. Selected projects will receive milestone-based funding of up to $2,000,000 over two years, along with extensive support across all aspects of translational research and drug development.

READ MORE

More Than Funding, a Community Focused on Progress

by Ariella Bersan, SPARK NS Senior Manager of Communications and Marketing

Translating scientific discoveries into therapeutics is one of the greatest challenges facing academic researchers. Success requires not just a technical shift, but also a change in mindset.

Participants in the SPARK NS Translational Research Program often describe their experience as being part of a community united by a shared goal. Through close collaboration with advisors, project managers, and fellow investigators, they gain new perspectives on progress—and on their role in advancing treatments for people living with Parkinson’s disease and profound autism.

READ MORE

Opportunities

Call for Proposals

Now accepting applications!

Learn more about the SPARK NS Translational Research Program and how to apply.

View All the Details

Want to Work with Us?

We are hiring!

Director of Project Management

Director of Finance and Accounting

Learn More

Sign Up to Receive Updates from SPARK NS

Program

Application Tips from the SPARK NS

2026 Cohort

Considering applying for our Program? Hear application tips directly from principal investigators selected for our 2026 Cohort in the video below.

Education

Highlights from the SPARK NS Short Course "Positioning Neuroscience for Successful Drug Development"

Principal investigators and academic researchers from across the United States and Canada gathered in the San Francisco Bay Area this February to attend the SPARK NS short course, “Positioning Neuroscience for Successful Drug Development.”

The short course provided practical knowledge and insights to help participants advance their discoveries in autism and Parkinson’s disease from the lab to the clinic. Attendees were also introduced to the SPARK NS Translational Research Program.

Expert Content

News + Insights

Gain access to high-quality expert content—offering fresh perspectives, practical guidance, and inspiration to think differently about drug development.