Research Grant Program (Small and Large Grants)

NOCSAE Research Grant Program

Funder: National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

Sports-related injury prevention and research

Athletic equipment safety and performance

Biomechanical analysis of sports injuries

Head impact assessment and helmet standards

Sport-related concussions (SRC)

Equipment testing protocols

Youth athlete safety

Program Structure: NOCSAE offers two main grant tracks:

Small Grant Program

Large Grant Program

Status: Active. Note: The program was postponed in May 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns, but has resumed operations.

Eligibility:

Researchers and academic institutions

Must address NOCSAE's core mission: understanding mechanical and biological mechanisms of injury and recovery

Research must inform equipment standards development or athlete safety

Application Process: Two-stage process
1. Letter of Intent (LOI) - Preliminary submission
2. Full Grant Proposal - Invited submissions only (after LOI review)

Key Contact:

Research Director: Kim D. Barber Foss PhD

Email: [email protected]

Recent Funded Research Areas:

Soccer headgear effectiveness for concussion reduction

Youth football helmet parameters and testing

Brain physiology changes in youth tackle and flag football

Mouthguard testing protocols

Commotio cordis protection (invested $1.1 million)

Youth-specific football helmet standard development

Website: nocsae.org/research-grant-program/