Physical Rehabilitation Grants

Multiple Sclerosis Center Quality of Life Grants

Since 1996, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) has awarded grants and endowments to universities, MS centers, and other nonprofit organizations to actively promote quality of life and create a brighter tomorrow for those living with MS. MS centers and nonprofit organizations, with a physical presence in the United States, in need of expanding their programs and services are also eligible for financial assistance from the MSF. Grants are available for implementing or expanding MS Day Programs, diagnostic services, rehabilitation services, support services, social services, education and outreach, and medical care.

Applications are accepted beginning September 1st of each year. Applications must be postmarked between September 1st and November 1st to be eligible for funding.

Eligibility:
• New and existing centers with a physical presence in the United States.
• Centers serving twenty-five or more MS patients.

Priority will be given to efforts that:
• Address unmet needs
• Enhance or expand current services
• Use creative and innovative approaches to achieve positive outcomes
• Fill gaps in current services

Areas not funded:
• Grants for research
• Grants to individuals
• Grants for religious purposes
• Grants for items covered under existing MSF programs

Size and types of grants:
• Funding decisions will be based on the type and scope of the program. Due to the wide variety of program designs expected, varying amounts of funding will be provided. Generally, the MSF funds programs in the range of $5,000 to $40,000.

For further information on the MS Center Quality of Life grant, call Alan Segaloff, Executive Director at 1-800-225-6495.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Grant Program

The initial contact should be made by letter of inquiry stating the amount sought, purpose of the grant, and nature of the organization requesting the grant. Please include an e-mail address if available. The letter should be sent to:

The Grant Committee
c/o Managing Director
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33309

If you are awarded a grant we do ask as a minimum that you provide us with semi-annual progress reports however additional criteria may apply depending on the amount and type of grant.

FUNDING CYCLE

All grant requests, excluding the Brighter Tomorrow grant, must be postmrked between September 1 and November 1 of each year. If your request is funded, funding will occur prior to January 15 of the following year.

LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, at its sole discretion, has the right to limit, refuse or cancel any grants made. The awarding of grants is at the determination of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130

Spina Bifida Association/Spina Bifida Foundation Young Investigator Awards 2010 Request for Proposals

Deadline: 9:00 pm eastern daylight time on Monday, May 10, 2010

The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) and the Spina Bifida Foundation (SBF) are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals to support basic or clinical Spina Bifida research by promising young investigators. SBA will award up to three (3) fellowships in 2010. The purpose of the awards will be to provide either initial or continuing financial support to a newly-independent investigator in an established research program. One fellowship, providing up to $50,000 in support, is named the Ashley Rose Advancement in Research Award. The Ashley Rose Foundation was established by Raymond and Linda Pitek in 1997 for their baby, Ashley Rose. Another fellowship will offer $25,000 and was established in 2008 by the Schneider Charitable Trust, established by Hollister Incorporated. Up to $40,000 is available for a third fellowship, in its second year, for research relating to tethered cord syndrome.

Eligibility
The investigator must be a citizen of the United States of America and possess an MD, PhD, DSW, DScN, or equivalent terminal degree prior to beginning the research under the award, but may not have held a faculty title of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) or higher for more than 24 months at the time the fellowship is to begin. The individual may be contemplating a fellowship or may already have begun one, but must be conducting the proposed research in preparation for a research or research and clinical career. The research program in which the fellow is to be appointed must be located in the United States of America and may be at an academic medical institution, hospital, research institute, university, or similar institution. It must be sufficiently established to provide strong support for the fellow, but need not have involved Spina Bifida research previously. The research to be conducted by the fellow may be basic or clinical research, but must be relevant to Spina Bifida. Areas of particular interest are:
•Ashley Rose Research Advancement Award – Epidemiology and causes of miscarriage related to neural tube defects preferred; other related research will be considered
•Schneider Charitable Trust Research Fellowship – Continence and related clinical and scientific areas
•Tethered Cord Syndrome Research Fellowship – Tethered Cord Syndrome and related clinical and scientific areas

Award Mechanism
The institution at which the established research program is located will be the awardee and will be expected to administer the award on behalf of the faculty or fellow, who will be the principal investigator. The award mechanism will be a grant, payable in a single installment within 30 days following written acceptance of the grant by the institution and the fellow. The grant will begin at the awardee institution’s discretion between August 1 and December 1, 2010, and will be for a one-year period unless prior written approval for a no-cost extension is requested by the institution and approved by SBA.

Criteria for Selection
A committee of scientists, clinicians familiar with Spina Bifida research and those affected by Spina Bifida will conduct a peer review of all eligible proposals received. Based on recommendations of the peer review committee, awards will be made by SBA. The peer review committee will consider all of the following criteria in making its recommendations:
•Strength of the science of the research proposal
•Educational preparation and demonstrated potential for research of the fellow
•Degree of intellectual and resource support committed by the established research program hosting the fellow apparent long-term interest in Spina Bifida expressed by the fellow
SBA does not anticipate issuing comments on individual proposals by the peer review committee.

Spina Bifida Association
4590 MacArthur Boulevard, NW Suite 250
Washington , DC 20007
Phone: 202-944-3285
Toll Free: 800-621-3141
Fax: 202-944-3295

General inquiries: sbaa@sbaa.org

 

American Foundation for the Blind Scholarships

The deadline for applying for AFB's 2010 scholarships is April 30, 2010.

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 AFB scholarships.

The following scholarships are available for 2010:

Scholarships in the Field of Rehabilitation and/or Education of Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired:
The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: A one-time award not open to previous recipients. It provides four (4) scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduates or graduates who are studying full-time in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired. One of these awards is reserved specifically for a student who presents proof of economic need (Student Aid Report required).

Scholarship for Engineering or Computer, Physical, or Life Sciences:
The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Provides one (1) scholarship of $1,000 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the field of engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.

Scholarship for Literature or Music:
The R.L. Gillette Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships of $1,000 each to women who are enrolled in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music.

In addition to the general requirements, Gillette applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes, or a creative writing sample.

The Gladys. C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 given to a female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music.

In addition to the general requirements, Anderson applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes.

The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $500 to a full-time graduate student who presents evidence of economic need. (Student Aid Report required.)

The Ferdinand Torres Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $2,500 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Strong preference will be given to new immigrants to the United States, and to those residing in the New York City metropolitan area. To be eligible the applicant must reside in the United States, but need not be a citizen of the United States.

In addition to the general requirements, Torres applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* Evidence of economic need
* Proof of residence in the United States (e.g. telephone bill; utility bill)
* Immigrants must include a description of country of origin and reason for coming to the U.S. (To be included in Part Four of the application essay.)

ALL supporting documentation must be collected IN ONE ENVELOPE and postmarked by the deadline date of April 30, 2010. No partial packets will be considered. No faxes will be accepted.

Mail completed AFB Scholarship application materials to:

American Foundation for the Blind
1000 Fifth Ave.
Suite 350
Huntington, WV 25701
Attn: Tara Annis

For additional information contact:

AFB Information Center
Telephone: (304) 523-8651
Toll Free: (800) 232-5463

American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association Request for Pilot Grant Proposals

The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association is proud to announce a Request for Pilot Grant Proposals in five potential areas of Orthotic and Prosthetic (O&P) research. For 2010-2011, the association is seeking proposals for one-time grants in amounts up to $7,500 for one year.

The leadership of AOPA, working in conjunction with the Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning and
Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (COPL) and its Board of Directors comprised of representatives
from eight leading O&P organizations recognizes that there is a modest amount of original evidence-based
or outcomes research in orthotics and prosthetics. Consequently, AOPA is interested in funding original pilot research that will lead to larger trials that may qualify for government or other research funding support in the following four areas:

Areas for submission are:
a. AFO treatment of stroke – appropriateness of the 5 custom criteria for custom device use
b. Microprocessor Knees and functional value for K 2 patients
c. Residual limb and socket interface selection criteria
d. Vacuum assisted socket research
e. Prosthetic Foot/ankle mechanisms assessment of current functional classifications

AOPA and the Center will give preference to grants that address evidence-based clinical application in
orthotics and prosthetics. Please post this RFP and share it with your colleagues. The deadline for proposals under the Request for Pilot Grant Proposals is April 30, 2010. The study must be completed within 1 year of the date of the award.

Inquiries should be sent in writing to:
Thomas F. Fise, Executive Director
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314
P: 571-431-0802 F: 571-431-0899

www.AOPAnet.org

Eligibility
Note that in addition to O&P professionals, physicians in training (interns, residents, fellows) are eligible to apply, provided that the work is conducted under the preceptorship of a more senior or experienced investigator. Successful applicants must agree to acknowledge the AOPA support in any publications or presentations that result from the research, and to submit a final report within 12 months
of the date of the award.

Selection Criteria
Awardees will be selected based on feasibility, scientific and clinical significance, originality, and anticipated contribution of the research to clinical practice. Applications will also be evaluated on the availability of adequate resources, including personnel and facilities.

Review Process
AOPA will submit applications to the Center for O&P Learning’s (COPL) Board of Directors which will review the grant proposals and provide input and recommendations to the AOPA Board of Directors, which shall have the final decision on whether any research can be funded and in what amount.

Deadline
An original and 5 copies of the completed application package must be received by April 30, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by June 15, 2010, with availability of this support to take place as shortly thereafter as feasible.

Autism Speaks Request for Applications for its Autism Treatment Network

Autism Speaks announces the upcoming release of a Request for Applications (RFA) for the next funding cycle of its Autism Treatment Network (ATN), a collaboration of treatment and research centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The RFA will solicit letters of intent from hospitals and academic medical centers interested in participating in a multi-site clinical care and research network. The ATN mission is to provide and expand access to a state-of-the-art comprehensive and coordinated medical care model for children with ASD. This RFA is open to both new and existing ATN sites.

This RFA is targeted towards institutions that have an established autism program and actively provide comprehensive, on-going, multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents with ASD. Participating sites will take an active role in the development of treatment guidelines, clinical research, and support of the patient registry activities of the ATN. Additionally, sites must be willing and able to meet network goals for patient registry enrollment and data quality. In order to apply, interested sites must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Co- principal investigators (2) must be experienced clinicians (MD or PhD) with expertise in ASD who oversee their clinic operations and have the authority to effect change in care as needed. At least one of the PIs must be an MD and one or both PIs should have substantial experience in clinical research, with a demonstrated capacity to obtain external research funding. The lead PI, together with the institution, will take responsibility for grant deliverables, performance monitoring, and fiscal matters.

Each site should be able to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-disciplinary care model that draws upon a team of clinicians from each of the core specialties listed below:
o Pediatrics
o Psychology/Neuropsychology
o Psychiatry
o Pediatric Neurology
o Pediatric Gastroenterology
o Sleep
o Genetics/Metabolics
o Ancillary care services (speech therapy, OT, PT, nutrition)

2. Each site must be willing to integrate the ATN assessment battery into their standard of care.
3. Each site must commit to the enrollment of children into the ATN Patient Registry and ongoing data collection for follow-up visits. Teams will have staff dedicated to coordinating systematic data collection for baseline and follow-up assessments through a web-based data management system.
4. Each site should have demonstrated expertise in conducting clinical research and be willing to participate in collaborative network research activities.
5. Successful sites must demonstrate institutional support for their participation in the network.

RFA Release Date: February 22, 2010
Due Date for Letters of Intent: March 29, 2010
Invitations for Full Applications: May 2010
Full Applications Due: July 2010
Funding Period: Jan. 2011-Dec. 2013

Contacts:
Nancy Jones, PhD, Program Director: 323-297-4754 Email: njones@autismspeaks.org

For more information go to:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/programs/atn/atn_physicians_researchers.php

National Academy of Engineering Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize

The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, established in October 1999, is named after Fritz Russ, an esteemed engineer and founder of Systems Research Laboratories, and his wife Dolores Russ, a long-time supporter and benefactor of the engineering industry.

The NAE established the prize at the request of Ohio University to honor the Russes for their dedication to education and the field of engineering. Fritz Russ graduated from Ohio University in 1942 with a B.S. in electrical engineering.

The Russ Prize recognizes an outstanding achievement in bioengineering that improves the human condition. This achievement should help the public better understand and appreciate the contributions of engineers to our health, well-being and quality of life. An auxiliary purpose of the Russ Prize is to encourage collaboration between the engineering and medical/biological professions to work closely together.

Awarded biennially (odd number years), the recipient receives a $500,000 cash award and a gold medallion. NAE members and non-members worldwide are eligible to receive the Russ Prize.

The Russ Prize will recognize achievements in bioengineering in its initial years.Examples of bioengineering include research, education, or product development in such areas as biomedical instrumentation, separation, and control systems; aerospace biomedical engineering; diagnostic technologies; applied genetic engineering; pharmaceutical processing; prosthetic technologies; biomolecular engineering; medical engineering; and applied physiological systems.

The Russ Prize is awarded for a specific achievement or for a series of achievements in bioengineering, and may be awarded to an individual or a group of individuals contributing to the same achievement(s). The Russ Prize is not awarded posthumously. Recipients of the Charles Stark Draper Prize are not eligible for the Russ Prize. NAE members and non-members world-wide are eligible to receive the Russ Prize.

Russ Prize Selection Criteria
The narrative description of the achievement that accompanies the nomination form and additional materials should provide qualitative and quantitative evidence that the following criteria are met:

* Demonstrated success in the number of people actually or potentially benefited by the innovation or achievement, and the extent of this benefit.

* Demonstrated novelty, originality, and fundamental character of the technical idea or concept underlying the innovation or achievement.

* Demonstration that the innovation or achievement has removed fundamental barriers or constraints to subsequent incremental improvement and refinement, or that it embodies wholly new scientific principles.

* Demonstrated richness of technical ramifications of the new concept or invention, and its applicability in many different areas of application far removed from each other.

* Demonstrated follow- through on the part of the originating individual or team. Excellence in design, execution and management of the innovation, and commercialization or “operationalization ” of a new idea should be demonstrated, in addition to the ingenuity and novelty of the original technical conception of “proof of principle.”

* Demonstrated economic impact, actual or potential, of the innovation or achievement. Economic impact would include gross revenues generated by a new product or process, cost savings made possible by a new process, reductions in environmental impact, or benefits to health and safety in the workplace or of consumers.

* The achievement nominated helps increase the public understanding of the contributions and achievements engineers make to improve the human condition.

* The award of the prize to the nominated achievement will provide encouragement for the engineering and medical/biological disciplines to more closely work together.

A nomination form must be completed and submitted during the NAE Call for Nominations period starting January 4, 2010 ending April 1, 2010.

NAE Awards
National Academy of Engineering
500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 1048
Washington, DC 20001

Fax
Attn: NAE Awards
(202) 334-2290

American Nurses Association Research Grants Program

The Research Grants Program was founded over 50 years ago to encourage the research career development of nurses. This program continues to grow with contributions for nursing research, from organizations and individuals. These donations support scientific research for advancing the practice of nursing, promoting health and preventing disease.

Each year, through our Nursing Research Grants program, ANF provides funds to beginner and experienced nurse researchers to conduct studies that contribute toward the advancement of nursing science and the enhancement of patient care. Awards are given in all areas of nursing, including healthy patient outcomes, health care policy development, critical care, gerontology, women’s health, community and family intervention.

The deadline for all submissions in May 3, 2010.

American Nurses Foundation
8515 Georgia Ave. Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910

E-mail: anf@ana.org

Phone: 301-628-5227
Fax: 301-628-5354

American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 2010 Student Scholarship

The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Scholarship Program supports the mission of the AACPDM to improve the health and general status of children and adults with cerebral palsy, developmental disorders and other childhood onset disabilities.

The Academy seeks applicants who are full-time students or trainees to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must have submitted an abstract to the 2010 Annual Meeting. Preference will be given to applicants whose abstracts have been accepted.

Scholarship winners will receive:

Complimentary 2010 Annual Meeting registration
Four Complimentary Instructional Courses
Reimbursement for travel, lodging and food (reimbursement limit depends on amount of award; maximum reimbursement of $1000.00 USD) 

February 1, 2010 Deadline for on-line abstract submission 

The deadline for applications is April 30, 2010.

For more information, please contact:
AACPDM Office
555 East Wells, Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414.918.3014
Fax: 414.276.2146
Email: info@aacpdm.org

Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program

The Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program offers grants to nonprofit organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis, particularly spinal cord injury, their families and caregivers. Proof of nonprofit status is required to be submitted with the application.

Grants are not made to individuals. Individuals seeking information on resources or financial assistance should contact the Paralysis Resource Center, a program of the Reeve Foundation, at www.Paralysis.org or call toll-free 800-539-7309 and ask to speak with an Information Specialist.

Funding is awarded in three broad categories; namely Actively Achieving, Bridging Barriers, and Caring and Coping. Applicants do not need to choose the category -- that is done by the Committee.

The Quality of Life Grants Program is focused on paralysis-related disabilities. While successful applicants may serve people with developmental disabilities, we do not, given the Reeve Foundation's mission and purpose, award funding to nonprofit organizations that do not serve individuals with paralysis.

Funding

Funding is awarded in amounts up to $25,000 per grant. The level of funding needed for a proposed project or program should determine the amount of the grant request. As a general rule, grants are not awarded for operating costs (i.e., rent, utilities, etc.), nor are they awarded for start-up organizations. Only one request per grant cycle will be accepted from a non-profit organization. Multiple-year grants are not awarded. Grant applicants need not choose the funding category; this is determined by the Committee. The Committee may elect not to award funding in every category in a particular funding cycle.

Application Submission Periods and Deadlines

Grants are awarded in two cycles per year. The 1st cycle opens on or about January 2 and the 2nd cycle opens on or about July 1st, and the application deadlines are March 1st and September 1st , respectively (application submission periods and deadlines are subject to change when necessary. Please check website to confirm deadline). Applications should be submitted online by 11:59 pm EST on the appropriate deadline. All supporting materials should be submitted online or received at the address below by the submission deadline. The Quality of Life Grants Committee will review each request and make specific recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval. The Board meets in June and December of each calendar year to authorize Quality of Life grant awards. All notifications, both of awards and declinations, will be mailed out after the Board has met.

If you would like to contact the Foundation, please call toll-free at 1-800-225-0292, or contact us by regular mail at the following address:

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
636 Morris Turnpike
Suite 3A
Short Hills, NJ 07078