Research Grants, Young Investigator Grants, and Traveling Fellowships

The North American Spine Society (NASS) supports basic, clinical, and translational science performed with integrity. The goal is to improve quality spine care for patients and understanding of underlying disorders. One way NASS achieves these goals is by funding grants and fellowships. General NASS research grants provide funding for promising research projects by qualified investigators in the field of spine. Any spine-related proposal will be considered.

• Research Grants: 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 not exceed $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 not exceed $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 not exceed $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.

Deadline for Letter of Proposal: Feb. 5, 2024