Research Grant Application

Research Grant Program

The Foundation provides funding for pilot studies on research important to the prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy, including improvement in the quality of life of persons with disabilities due to cerebral palsy and closely related developmental brain disorders. This broad research agenda includes basic, clinical and applied research in the biomedical and bioengineering sciences. Research grant applications are reviewed for scientific merit by the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Council and then for funding by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis taking into account scientific merit, scientific and clinical significance and relevance to cerebral palsy. Grants are generally awarded for up to 2 years at a maximum of $50,000 a year.  

The preparation and review of research grant applications involve a great deal of time and effort for all persons and organizations involved. In order to expedite the process, the following procedure is used for the submission of research grant proposals to the Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation.

1. A “Letter of Intent” must be submitted prior to the submission of a full application. The letter can be submitted at any time and the applicant will usually be informed of Foundation action within two weeks.
    

The letter should not exceed two typewritten pages. It should summarize:

• Relevance of the project to cerebral palsy;

• The research question being addressed and the research design of the proposal.

• The potential impact of the results of the project on the biology of or clinical implications for cerebral palsy.

In addition to the two page summary, the Letter of Intent should include a brief CV of the principal investigator and the total amount requested (up to $50,000 per year) for each of two years.  

On the basis of the review of the letter, the investigator will be advised whether the Foundation will accept a full application.

2. A complete Research Grant Application would be accepted following review and approval of the letter of intent. An application form and instructions will be sent to the investigator by the Foundation following approval of the letter of intent. A research grant application can be submitted at any time thereafter. After merit review, the applicant will be advised if the proposal will be submitted to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for consideration for funding.

3. All research grant applications in the competitive scientific merit review priority range are presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for funding consideration. Applicants are advised that the Board of Directors cannot guarantee funding for all of the projects in the priority range. The Board meets twice a year, usually in late May and then again in October. The applicant will be advised shortly after the Board meeting on the funding decision.

This procedure will keep the investigator periodically advised of the progress of his/her application as it proceeds through the Foundation’s review process. If you have any questions about the Foundation’s research grant program, please contact the Foundation at the following:
 

Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation
1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20036
Email: maisen@cpirf.org
Or: nmaher@cpirf.org

Please click here for application.