National Operating Committee on logo

Research Grant Program (Small and Large Grants)

National Operating Committee on

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

  • 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

Overview

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/

    How to Apply

    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]
  • What National Operating Committee on actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    4
    Total given
    $400K
    Median grant
    $105K
    Range
    $50K–$141K
    • By dollars: California 35%, North Carolina 25%, Pennsylvania 12%. Top recipient cities: Los Angeles, CA; Chapel Hill, NC; Philadelphia, PA.

    Example grants

    • Uc Regents · Los Angeles, CA

      The title of this grant is "Effect of Protective Eyewear Mandate on Injury Risk and…

      $141K

    • University of Ottawa

      The title of this grant is "A Global Metric to Measure American Football Helmet…

      $109K

    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC

      The title of this grant is "Advancing Catastrophic Sport Injury Research Through…

      $100K

    • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, PA

      The title of this grant is "Head Impact Exposure and Effectiveness of Headgear in…

      $50K

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-sportsscience-research

    Categories

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