NRP Young Investigator Award Grant

The NRP Young Investigator Award is designed to support research on optimizing newborn care during delivery using Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) techniques. This grant encourages innovative projects addressing gaps in transitional physiology and resuscitation practices. Eligible applicants include researchers from Canadian and US institutions, particularly those in training or within four years of completing medical training. Awardees may receive up to $15,000 to enhance their skills and knowledge, ultimately improving neonatal outcomes.

Note: Before getting invited to a full proposal, potential applicants for an NRP grant must submit an abstract to the NRP Steering Committee noted in the cycle as Pre-proposal.
Introduction
The overall objective of the NRP® grant program is to identify the best ways to optimize care in the delivery room using NRP. Successful grant applications will address key gaps related to transitional physiology, evidence-based resuscitation intervention, teaching and evaluating the cognitive, technical and behavioral skills necessary for successful resuscitation of the newborn and retention of skills and knowledge overtime.
Top Initiative: What are the best ways to optimize care during neonatal resuscitation using NRP? Responsive studies should address:
Questions of interest
What is the optimal method to use in safely and effectively establishing functional residual capacity (FRC) and assisting ventilation during resuscitation? What is the optimal role of the laryngeal mask in NRP for preterm infants? When administering positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) in the delivery room, should volume and/or pressure be measured? If volume is measured, what is the optimum volume to deliver as compliance changes while trying to establish a functional residual capacity (FRC) in a newborn? If pressure is measured, what is the optimum starting pressure and range of pressures that should be used? Is there a role for CPAP to help in the stabilization of the spontaneously breathing term newborn? What is the role of respiratory function monitoring in the delivery room, including the use of exhaled CO2 to guide ventilation efforts?
Questions of Interest
How much supplemental oxygen should be used when there is persistent heart rate < 60 bpm despite 30 seconds of effective ventilation? What is the effect of administering room air as compared to supplemental oxygen during circulatory arrest on restoring spontaneous circulation and limiting organ injury? What is the most effective method of titrating supplemental oxygen and respiratory support to optimize outcomes in babies born preterm and babies born at term?
Topic: Methods to Support Newborn Circulation (Chest Compressions, Medications)
Questions of Interest
Is coordination of compressions and ventilations important?What are the risks and benefits of ventilating via laryngeal mask versus intubation during chest compressions?How can the efficacy of chest compressions be best evaluated in the delivery room? What is the optimal ratio of chest compressions to positive-pressure ventilation breaths in neonatal resuscitation?When (i.e., at what HR) should chest compressions be initiated? What methods support circulation in addition to chest compressions (e.g., medications)? What are optimal routes of delivery for medications (UVC, PIV, I/O lines, ET tube, laryngeal mask) and what are the associated risks and benefits?
Questions of Interest
Does the use of telemedicine in neonatal resuscitation improve patient outcomes?
Questions of interest
How can newborn resuscitation techniques be adapted for special populations (e.g., congenital malformations)?

Eligibility

Researchers from Canadian and US Institutions are invited to apply for one of the four grant options to investigate the best ways to optimize care in the delivery room using NRP.Physicians-in-training or individuals within 4 years of medical training are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 through theNRP Young Investigator Award.Initiatives can include addressing gaps in our understanding of transitional physiology and evidence-based resuscitation practice, teaching and evaluating the cognitive, technical and behavioral skills necessary for successful resuscitation of the newborn and retention of skills and knowledge over time.Budget GuidelinesRequests can include costs for supplies, minor equipment, and salaries for support personnel.Time and efforts of physician trainees or technical support can be included in the budget; however, the requested expense for their time must be clearly justified.Travel reimbursement is limited to local travel for research purposes and travel to locations with pertinent resources for the proposed study.IRB fees up to $1,000 may be included in the budget.Please note that all funds will be awarded to the applicant's institution.Funding is for one year; however, a non-funded extension up to one year may be requested.

Ineligibility

Applications focused primarily on quality improvement initiatives or educational dissemination without a clear educational research focus will not be considered.Funding specifically for simulation supplies or development of a simulation center will not be considered.Please note the NRP grants should not be considered as a source of funding for implementation and dissemination of the Helping Babies Breathe Program or resuscitation in low resource settings.Primary Investigators can apply for no more than one grant.