UCP Research Grant Program

The UCP Research Grant Program aims to enhance clinical and translational research focused on cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. Grants of up to $20K support innovative studies, with a preference for projects addressing early diagnosis and treatment. Applications from U.S. and Canadian researchers are encouraged, particularly from those affiliated with UCP. The program promotes collaboration and aims to transform care through sustainable treatment solutions.

The Research Grant Program awards grants that advance clinical and translational research and focus on knowledge translation to advance the state of the science, bridging the gap between research and care to transform the lives of children with cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities.
The grant application form became available on January 20, 2025. In honor of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on March 25, the Research Council will notify selected candidates to move forward with submitting a full proposal. See below for a full timeline.
While we welcome applications on any topics relevant to cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities from researchers and clinicians in the United States and Canada, the Research Council gives preference to focus on early diagnosis and early treatment of cerebral palsy and research applicants from or collaborating with UCP’s Affiliates. Both biomedical and therapy-focused studies are welcomed.
About UCP's Research Grants
Pilot Grants: Grants in the amount of $20K USD to provide preliminary data for larger-scale future projects or to perform novel analyses on existing data sets.
Extension Grants: Grants in the amount of $20K USD to expand an existing research project.
The Council welcomes applications from researchers and clinicians in the U.S. and Canada on any topic relevant to cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities that transforms care.

Eligibility

The UCP Research Council will sponsor and support high-quality proposals that share goals and priorities for cerebral palsy. Grant applicants for the categories of pilot and extension grants should consider the following criteria:
The research question should address treatment for children with cerebral palsy or a related neurodevelopmental disability. Submissions on transition to adulthood will also be considered.
Project goals should use SMART design principles (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). Data collection, compliance, and progress reporting will be required.
The Principal Investigator and all co-investigators on the grant must be in professional good standing and have relevant expertise related to the research proposal.
Applicants must have the infrastructure appropriate to their project, including study design and implementation, facilities and services, patient recruitment, and staffing.
For those applying for the category of affiliate planning grants, the proposal should address a project or question that could be formalized into a research question for a future pilot or extension grant.
Other Considerations:

• For the affiliate planning award, applicants must be an affiliate of the UCP network.

For the pilot and extension awards, applicants do not have to be part of the UCP affiliate network, but preference will be given to those applications from centers that are UCP affiliates or have a strong association with UCP.
Applicants can work with other centers on the same project (multicenter project), but these centers should submit a common application to better ensure collaboration.
Projects that will facilitate sustainable, ongoing novel treatments or services that can be adopted by other organizations after completion of the project will be given preference.
Note: Awardees may apply for additional grants to complete the next step of the project if their initial project demonstrates success and ongoing goals are appropriate.