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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health

Dr. Julia White ICMH Transformative Research Pilot Award

The Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH) is pleased to announce the inaugural Dr. Julia White ICMH Transformative Research Pilot Award, a donor-supported funding opportunity designed to catalyze bold, innovative and potentially transformative musculoskeletal (MSK) research by early-career investigators who are within eight years of their terminal degree. Applications from postdoctoral research associates are especially encouraged.

This award is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Julia White, an Indiana University alumna whose personal experience, and that of her family, with low bone density and fractures inspired her commitment to advancing musculoskeletal research and improving patient outcomes. Through this award, Dr. White seeks to provide emerging investigators with an opportunity to lead research projects that explore novel concepts, challenge existing paradigms and accelerate discoveries with meaningful translational potential in musculoskeletal health.

Dr. White hopes to support research that raises awareness of the often overlooked and “invisible” burden of musculoskeletal disease while encouraging investigators to pursue ambitious, high-impact ideas that may be difficult to fund through traditional mechanisms.

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The award supports innovative, unconventional or exploratory research ideas in musculoskeletal health.

Purpose of the Award

The Dr. Julia White ICMH Transformative Research Pilot Award is intended to support:

  • Innovative, unconventional or exploratory research ideas in musculoskeletal health
  • High risk–high reward projects with the potential for transformative impact
  • Early-stage projects generating preliminary data for future external funding
  • Projects with strong translational potential that may ultimately improve patient care, diagnostics, therapeutics, prevention or quality of life
  • Research that addresses underrecognized or understudied aspects of musculoskeletal disease 

Projects may include basic, translational, clinical, computational, engineering, behavioral or population science approaches relevant to musculoskeletal health.

Preference will be given to proposals that:

  • Demonstrate originality and creativity
  • Have the potential to shift current understanding or practice
  • Address unmet needs in musculoskeletal disease
  • Show a clear pathway toward future extramural funding, translation, commercialization or clinical implementation

Funding Information

Award Amount: Up to $15,000 
Project Period: One year

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Applicants must be Indiana University ICMH members.
  • Applicants must receive written confirmation from their primary mentor that they are aware and supportive of this project and can provide additional resources if needed.
  • Collaborative and multidisciplinary projects are encouraged but not required.
  • Applicants may submit only one proposal as Principal Investigator per funding cycle.
  • Projects must focus on musculoskeletal health or diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system.
  • Proposals must clearly articulate:
    • The innovative/high-risk nature of the work
    • Why traditional funding mechanisms may not readily support the project
    • The potential scientific, translational or clinical impact if successful 

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Innovation and Originality
    • Degree to which the proposal challenges existing paradigms or introduces novel concepts, methods, technologies or approaches
  • High Risk–High Reward Potential
    • Potential for transformative scientific or clinical impact
    • Appropriateness of risk relative to potential payoff
  • Translational Relevance
    • Potential to improve understanding, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, rehabilitation or patient outcomes in musculoskeletal disease or injury
  • Scientific Merit and Feasibility
    • Strength of rationale and experimental approach 
    • Feasibility within the proposed one-year funding period 
  • Future Funding Potential
    • Likelihood that the project will generate preliminary data for future external funding, partnerships or commercialization opportunities 
  • Applicant’s Potential
    • Applicant’s commitment to a research career in the musculoskeletal field
    • Likelihood that the applicant will advance the field through innovation
  • Alignment with Donor Intent
    • Responsiveness to the spirit of the award, including advancing awareness and innovation related to musculoskeletal disease/injury

Application Requirements

Applications should include:

  1. Project Title 
  2. Scientific Abstract (300 words maximum)
  3. Lay Abstract (three to six sentences)
  4. Research Plan (maximum three pages)
    1. Specific aims 
    2. Background and significance 
    3. Innovation/high-risk aspects and/or translational potential 
    4. Research strategy and approach 
    5. Expected outcomes and future directions 
  5. Budget and Budget Justification (maximum one page) 
  6. NIH Biosketch (SciEV) for Key Personnel 
  7. Regulatory Approvals (if required proof will be needed prior to distribution of funds)

Formatting:

  • Single spaced 
  • Minimum 11-point Arial font 
  • Half-inch margins

Reporting Requirements

Awardees will be expected to:

  • Submit a final progress report within 60 days of project completion 
  • Provide a brief lay summary suitable for donor reporting 
  • Present findings at an ICMH seminar, conference, retreat, town hall or related event upon request 
  • Acknowledge ICMH and the Dr. Julia White ICMH Transformative Research Pilot Award in publications and presentations resulting from funded work

Contact Information

For questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact the ICMH administrative office.

The ICMH Admin Team consists of Melissa Kacena, PhD, Jill Fehrenbacher, PhD, Roman Natoli, MD, PhD, Jon Keeney, Sue Samson, Tiffany McCullough and Rachel Blosser.