North American Spine Society - Grants and Awards

Research Grants Research grants should focus on basic science, clinical or translational research. Basic research may focus on projects that further our understanding of the mechanisms of disease and developing novel models for prevention and/ or treatment. Clinical research may focus on projects that investigate the epidemiology, prevention, and or treatment of spine disease. Translational research may focus on projects that move findings from the ‘bench to bedside’.

NASS research grants provide funding for promising research projects by qualified investigators in the field of spine. Funding amount and number of grants are at the discretion of the NASS Research Project Management Committee based upon merit of applications and amount of funding available each year. It is recommended that approved grant budgets range between $20,000-$40,000 per year. In rare cases and at the discretion of the committee, each year may be up to $50,000 per year.

Young Investigator Grants

One to two Young Investigator Grants may be awarded each year. Principal investigators may be any age. MD applicants must be within five years of completion of training at the time of application; PhD applicants must be within five years of their post-doc training. Applicants may not have received previous grant funding from the NASS Research Project Management Committee. It is recommended that approved grant budgets range between $20,000-$40,000 per year. In rare cases and at the discretion of the committee, each year may be up to $50,000 per year.

Nontraditional, Nonsurgical Treatment Grants

The Nontraditional, Nonsurgical Treatment Grant is the result of a donation to research as part of a settlement of a class action lawsuit unrelated to NASS. This grant supports research of disc-related and/or neuropathic back pain by nonsurgical techniques. These funds must be used for new, nontraditional methods of nonsurgical treatment of such back and neck pain and radiculopathy. If TNF-inhibitors other than etanercept are used in research and/or treatment funded, comparison studies using perispinal etanercept in at least as many research subjects or patients should be done. Funding amount and number of grants are at the discretion of the NASS Research Project Management Committee based upon merit of applications and amount of funding available each year. It is recommended that approved grant budgets range between $20,000-$40,000 per year. In rare cases and at the discretion of the committee, each year may be up to $50,000 per year.

Clinical Traveling Fellowship

The Clinical Traveling Fellowship spans at least one month to be spent in three to five different medical centers studying spine techniques. The centers selected by the applicant should agree in writing to accept the applicant if he/she receives the Fellowship. The Fellowship primarily covers the costs of travel and housing and typically ranges from $3,000-$7,000.

Research Traveling Fellowship

The Research Traveling Fellowship spans at least five months at one medical center (other than the facility at which the applicant currently practices). The center selected by the applicant should have appropriate research facilities and agree in writing to accept the applicant if he/she receives the Fellowship. The Fellowship primarily covers the costs of travel and housing and typically ranges from $3,000-$7,000. If funding for the actual research project is needed, please apply for one of the research grants.

For more information please visit:https://www.spine.org/ResearchClinicalCare/ResearchGrantsFunding/Funding...