Request for Applications
The Stepping Strong Innovator Awards are part of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund that was established by the Reny family following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. During the attack, Gillian Reny, an 18-year-old aspiring dancer, sustained severe injuries to both of her lower legs. The fund’s goal is to support clinical and research efforts that will enable future patients who have suffered from traumatic injuries to return their highest possible level of functionality and mobility in order to resume their physical passions and step strong again. Projects focusing on any aspect of trauma are welcome.
The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund announces ‘Stepping Strong Innovator Awards’ to inspire innovative research addressing well-defined clinical problems in areas related to trauma injury recovery, advanced stem cell technology, orthopedic and plastic surgery, bioengineering, rehabilitation, limb reconstruction, limb transplant, bone and wound healing, and other facets of trauma care that impact both civilian and military patients. These awards will fund high-reward projects by the best and brightest physicians and researchers, as long as they collaborate with a BWH investigator around their proposed project. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis with one non-renewable $100,000 award available through this RFA.
Applications will be evaluated and ranked for funding priority on the basis of a review process at BWH that will evaluate clinical relevance and scientific merit. Please note that the entire selection process may involve review by both BWH faculty (both clinicians/researchers) as well as non-BWH reviewers including donors, venture capitalists, representatives of the biopharma/device industry, and other friends of the Brigham. The final selection will be made at a live pitch session conducted as a closed door meeting with a committee of judges composed of reviewers who are internal (BWH clinicians/researchers) and/or external to BWH.