Grants

The AACPDM offers the opportunity for members to apply for Research Grants, which aim to provide support to bring together investigators from geographically disparate locations, obtain statistical consultation and develop a multi-center research study plan.

Clinical Research Grants

A key mission of the Academy is to promote excellence in research for the benefit of persons with cerebral palsy and childhood-onset disabilities. One way in which the Academy promotes research is through annual Research Grants. Historically, the AACPDM has partnered with the Pedal with Pete Foundation, the Center for Progress, and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation to fund multiple grants, up to $25,000 USD each! Areas of research should focus on topics related to cerebral palsy.

Research grant funding supports high-quality clinical research projects/programs. The award may be used to fund planning for a project or to complete a small research project of high impact in any area relevant to the AACPDM’s mission. The successful applicant will have a solid track record in childhood-onset disability research.

The Principal Investigator on the grant must be an AACPDM member in good standing. Only one grant application per member will be considered in a given budget year.

Click here to apply for the 2023 Grants

The grant submission deadline is Monday, April 24, 2023, at 11:59 pm CST.

Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2022 Clinical Research Grants:

CPARF Funded

• Environmental and Biologic Markers for Cerebral Palsy
  • PI: Zeyan Liew, Ph.D., Yale School of Public Health

Pedal with Pete Funded

• Development of a Clinical Prediction Model for Predicting Postoperative Complications in Children with Cerebral Palsy
  • Rachel L. DiFazio, Ph.D., RN, PNP, Boston Children’s Hospital 
     
• Baseline muscle properties of individuals with cerebral palsy 
  • Elizabeth R. Boyer, Ph.D., Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare 

C - PROGRESS Funded

• Corticospinal organization and bimanual coordination in children with hemiparesis
  • Samuel T. Nemanich, Ph.D., MSCI, Marquette University 
     
• Effects of a novel, child-friendly, home-based training program using joystick-operated ride-on-toys on affected arm function and spontaneous use in children with hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP): A pilot study
  • Sudha Madhav Srinivasan, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
     
• Spinal Reflex Conditioning to Decrease Spasticity and Improve Motor Function in Adults with Spastic Cerebral Palsy 
  • Kathleen Friel, Ph.D., Burke Neurological Institute 
     
• Feasibility of clinical recommendations for post-operative physical therapy and functional outcomes after selective dorsal rhizotomy
  • Rachel L. Bican, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Ohio University

Additional Grant Opportunities