Small Grant Program

The NPIAP Small Grant Program is administered by the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, a professional organization focused on advancing the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries through research, education, and collaboration. The program is designed to support early-stage research initiatives that align with the organization’s identified research priorities, particularly those addressing pressure injury prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The grant emphasizes scientific rigor and encourages innovative approaches to understanding and addressing pressure injuries across clinical, laboratory, and community settings. This funding opportunity provides financial support for small-scale research projects, such as pilot studies, that contribute to the evidence base surrounding pressure injuries. Applicants are required to propose projects that fall within one of several defined research priority areas, including basic laboratory research, caregiver and lived experience studies, clinical investigations, outcomes research, and treatment innovation. The program specifically excludes industry-sponsored studies where the protocol or funding originates from industry partners, although investigator-initiated studies with limited industry support, such as provision of materials, may be considered. The grant offers a fixed award amount of 10,000 dollars for a project period of 12 months. Funds must be awarded to an organization rather than directly to an individual, and applicants are required to designate an organizational representative responsible for receiving and administering the funds. Allowable expenses include limited salary support for the principal investigator, research supplies, data analysis services, data collection activities, dissemination-related travel, and publication costs. Indirect costs and facilities and administration expenses are not permitted under this program. Applicants must submit a complete proposal package via email, including a structured abstract, a detailed project narrative, a budget and justification, references, and supporting appendices. The narrative section must address research aims, methodology, innovation, and plans for dissemination. Additional required components include investigator biosketches and a letter of support from an organizational representative confirming institutional backing for the proposed work. All submissions must adhere to strict formatting guidelines, including page limits, font requirements, and file type specifications. The application process requires submission by mid-April, with only one application permitted per applicant. Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with research priorities, scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact on pressure injury prevention and care. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear research strategy, appropriate methodology, and consideration of ethical requirements, including obtaining necessary regulatory approvals prior to receiving funding. Award recipients are required to comply with several post-award obligations, including maintaining the proposed project timeline, submitting an interim report at six months, and providing a final report within 60 days of project completion. The final report must include findings, limitations, and future research directions, along with a financial accounting of expenditures. Award announcements are scheduled for early June following the application deadline, and funded projects are expected to begin shortly thereafter. This program is recurring on an annual basis, with updated research priorities determined through member input and conference discussions. It serves as an important mechanism for fostering new research and supporting emerging investigators in the field of pressure injury prevention and management.

Ensure the proposal clearly aligns with one of the defined research priority areas and demonstrates strong scientific methodology and feasibility