Basic Science Research Grant

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), KNUST wishes to inform the university community that applications are now open for the 2026 ISSLS Basic Science Research Grant.

This prestigious grant is offered by the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) and is proudly sponsored by Cerapedics to support innovative basic science research in spine health.

Key Highlights:

  • Funder: International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS)

  • Sponsor: Cerapedics

  • Award Amount: USD 20,000 (research costs only; no salary or indirect costs)

  • Application Deadline: March 27, 2026

  • Winner Announcement: ISSLS Annual Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa (May 11–15, 2026)

Purpose of the Grant:

The award supports groundbreaking proposals in basic and biomechanical science, with priority given to projects exploring:

  • Bone health

  • Bone metabolism in the lumbar spine

  • Fundamental mechanisms relevant to spine biology

Proposals must address critical gaps in scientific knowledge and should not focus on product or class comparisons.

Eligibility:

  • At least one investigator must be an active ISSLS member.

  • The Principal Investigator must be:

    • 45 years of age or under, and/or

    • Within five years of completing an MD or PhD.

  • Proposals should demonstrate potential to leverage ISSLS funding toward securing larger future grants.

Evaluation Criteria:

Applications will be assessed based on:

  • Scientific significance

  • Strength of hypothesis

  • Rigor of experimental design

  • Feasibility

  • Clear future funding strategy

Proposal Requirements:

  • Background, Gap in Knowledge, Preliminary Data, Significance, Hypothesis & Aims – 2 pages

  • Detailed Experimental Protocol – 5 pages

  • Future Funding Plan – 1 page

  • References – Unlimited

  • Biographies – 1 page per investigator

  • CVs – Required for PI and co-investigators

  • Attendance Statement – Commitment to present progress report in Montréal (2027)

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF with the official application form.

Participation Requirements:

  • 2026 Winner: Must attend the 2027 ISSLS Annual Meeting (SpineWeek) in Montréal, Canada to present a progress report (exceptions only under extraordinary circumstances).

  • 2025 Winner will also present during the 2026 Fellowship Ceremony in Cape Town.

Benefits:

  • International recognition from ISSLS.

  • Dedicated funding to advance innovative spine research.

  • Opportunity to build momentum toward major external funding.

  • Platform to present research progress at global spine meetings.

Interested researchers in spine biology, orthopaedics, biomechanics, and related biomedical sciences are encouraged to prepare their submissions ahead of the March 27, 2026 deadline.