Application Information and Instructions:
I. Purpose of the Lumbar Spine Research Society Research Grant Program: The goal of this research grant program is to provide funding for promising projects relevant to the advancement of knowledge regarding lumbar spine surgery, pathology, biology, biomechanics, and treatment options.
II. Scope of Proposed Research: One of the goals of this program is to provide a level of funding necessary to develop pilot data in support of a larger research grant application to the federal government or another extramural source. As such, applicants are urged to make sure that the scope of research proposed may be feasibly completed within 12 months of funding initiation. For clinical studies, or pre-clinical studies with follow-up past 12 months, please ensure that funds have been expended within 12 months.
III. Time Period of Funding:
a. Award Notification: January 2026
b. Funding Start Date: May 15, 2026
c. Funding End Date: May 1, 2027
IV. Budget Information: Funding is intended to cover only direct costs associated with the proposed project as outlined in the budget worksheet and budget justification. Funding may not be used to cover indirect costs (institutional overhead), investigator salaries, or capital equipment exceeding $1,000.00. Funds cannot be used for travel but can be used for fees associated with manuscript publications. Any deviations from the proposed budget should be reviewed by the LSRS Research Committee. You will be asked to detail budgetary line items, descriptions, and costs, in the application fields below. Add lines as needed to fill out your budget.
V. Outside funding: If there are any outside sources of funding to supplement the LSRS Grant Award, please list those within the grant application.
VI. Research Plan: attach a detailed research plan to accompany the application. Format for research plan:
a. Problem Statement: ½ page
b. Specific Aims & Hypotheses: ½ - 1 page
c. Background & Significance: 1-2 pages
d. Scientific Approach: 1-2 pages
e. Plan for Data and Statistical Analysis: ½ - 1page
f. Budget Justification: ½ page
f. Plans for Dissemination of Results: ½ page
g. Future Funding and Next Steps: ½ page
Use size 12 font or equivalent, single-spaced to page limit indicated above, with one line space between paragraphs.
VII. Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects: For research involving Human Subjects, approval from the investigator’s Institutional Review Board is strongly recommended at the time of grant approval and prior to distribution of any funds. For animal research, approval from the investigator’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee must be obtained prior to the start of funding. Written proof that either the IRB or the IACUC submission has occurred is a requirement.