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

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

Application Process

Two-Stage Submission Process:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Submit preliminary application materials
• Invites selected researchers to submit full proposals
• Instructions available at: nocsae.org/research-grant-program/apply-for-research-funding/preliminary-grant-application-instructions/

Stage 2: Full Grant Proposal (Invited Only)

• Submit only after LOI acceptance
• Instructions available at: nocsae.org/research-grant-program/apply-for-research-funding/full-grant-proposal-instructions/

Required Proposal Components:

• Research strategy/design
• Investigator biographical sketches
• Budget
• Study design and methodology
• Materials and methods
• Main outcome measures
• Significance statement

Review and Decision:

• Final funding decisions made by NOCSAE Board of Directors
• Scientific Advisory Committee provides input

Contact for Questions:

• Research Director Kim D. Barber Foss PhD
• Email: [email protected]