Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Fund Research Grant Program
Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board Awards 15 Grants
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board awarded its second grants totaling $1.7 million to 15 Indiana researchers from four institutions/companies. When added to the 2008 grant awards, this brings the total money awarded for spinal cord and brain injury research to nearly $3.4 million.
One of the main purposes of the fund is to support research related to the treatment and cure of spinal cord and brain injuries, including acute management, medical complications, rehabilitative techniques and neural recovery. The majority of the grants are worth $120,000 each over the course of two years. Although collaborations are encouraged, the research must all be done in Indiana.
"We are excited about the opportunity to fund some innovative projects, and especially with our ability to fund post-doctoral projects. A major focus for the Board, now, is to increase statewide awareness of the research fund and increase the diversity of the applications," said Annette Seabrook, chair of the research board.
The fund has begun to impact additional funding for Indiana. The awards for research related to brain injury research served as matching funds to attract a federal HRSA traumatic brain injury implementation partnership grant that is funded through early 2013.
Of the 26 proposals submitted, the following are the grant recipients for 2009:
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Trexler, Lance E. |
Ph.D. |
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana |
Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Resource Facilitation on Return to Work after Traumatic Brain Injury: Replication of a Pilot Study |
|
Malec, James F. |
Ph.D. |
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana |
Outcomes and perceived needs among individuals with TBI and SCI in Indiana |
|
Brustovetsky, Nickolay |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Role of calpain activation in glutamate excitotoxicity |
|
Rodgers, Richard B. |
M.D. |
IUSM |
20% Mannitol vs 3% Hypertonic Saline in the Treatment of Intracranial Hypertension in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A double-blinded, randomized trial |
|
Hudmon, Andy |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Calcium-Dependent Neuronal Death Induced by Traumatic Brain Injury: the role of CaMKII interaction with NMDA receptors |
|
Xu, Zao C. |
M.D., Ph.D. |
IUSM |
K+ current and neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury |
|
Chen, Jinhui |
M.D., Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Enhancing neurogenesis for promoting functional recovery following traumatic brain injury |
|
Shi, Riyi |
M.D., Ph.D. |
Purdue |
Anti-Acrolein Treatment in a Live Animal Model of SCI |
|
Sengelaub, Dale R. |
PhD |
Indiana University, Bloomington |
Prevention of Motoneuron Atrophy after Spinal Cord Injury |
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|
|
|
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Cummins, Theodore |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Role of sensory neuronal ion channels in hyper-excitability and pain mechanisms following spinal cord injury |
|
Lei, Zhigang |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
IA current in the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic epilepsy |
|
Deng, Ping |
M.D., Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Roles of Ih in Hippocampal Cells after Traumatic Brain Injury |
|
Jin, Xiaoming |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
Complement-mediated Synaptic Elimination in Postraumatic Epileptogenesis |
|
Yoder, Karmen |
Ph.D. |
IUSM |
PET Imaging of TBI-Induced Neuroinflammation: An Innovative Tool for Tracking Treatment Efficacy |
|
Yang, Jiaan |
Ph.D. |
Microtech, Inc. |
Design Effective IGF-I to Improve Treatment of Hypoxia-Ischemia Encephalopathy in Brain Injury |
Information about the Fund and Grant Program
The state of Indiana established the research fund known as the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Fund effective July 1, 2007. This fund, established under Indiana Code (IC) 16-41-42-4, will consist of appropriations, gifts and bequests, fees deposited in the fund under IC 9-29-5-2, and grants received from the federal government and private sources. These funds will be utilized to 1) establish and maintain a state medical surveillance registry for traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries; 2) fulfill the duties of the board; and 3) fund research related to treatment and cure of spinal cord and brain injuries. The fund is expected to generate approximately $1.6 million per year, with the majority of money generated to be allocated to research projects.
This application package is designed for all researchers, including post-doctoral, wishing to submit proposals for research projects / programs to be funded under item 3 noted above. Final funding decisions for all proposals submitted under this program will be made by the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board, consisting of nine members as defined in section 5(a) of IC 16-41-42. The board will make these decisions after receiving input from an independent scientific advisory panel comprising scientists and clinicians who are not members of the board. This advisory panel will review proposals and make recommendations to the board.
The overall objective of this program is to foster and encourage research for the prevention, treatment, and cure of spinal cord and brain injuries, including acute management, medical complications, rehabilitative techniques, and neuronal recovery. Collaborations are encouraged with Indiana-based researchers as well as researchers located outside the state of Indiana, including researchers in other countries. Research must be conducted in compliance with all state and federal laws.
Because the nature and scope of the research proposed may vary, it is anticipated that the size of each award may also vary. Awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Applications to this program are considered small grants and should have a maximum requested amount of $60,000 (per year, including indirect costs). All applications should be limited to a two-year duration. (Note: Second year funding dependent upon adequate progress report for first year.) The fund is willing to provide salary support for post-doctorate fellows for up to two years.
The 2009 application cycle is now closed. The application process will begin again in early 2010.
The Indiana State Department of Health is a partner with the Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board, which was created in 2007 by the Indiana General Assembly. Funding for the grants comes from non-commercial motor vehicle registration fees. Grant cycles will occur annually. The next cycle is expected to open by January 2010. Visit www.in.gov/isdh/23657.htm for more information.
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