External Scholarship Database

2023 Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation Explorer Grant

The Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation Explorer Grant provides resources to graduate students and postdoctoral trainee investigators looking to conduct a trauma or injury-related project. Students and postdoctoral research fellows from Harvard Graduate and Professional Schools who are conducting research that aligns with the mission and vision of the Stepping Strong Center are invited to apply for grants up to $2,000. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and funds will be awarded competitively. Postdoctoral fellows at Harvard teaching hospitals are eligible to apply if they have an academic appointment as a research fellow at Harvard.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligible investigators must be affiliated with a Harvard Graduate or Professional School
  • Graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows are eligible to apply
  • Applications are limited to one per investigator, per year. Previous applicants may reapply.
  • Awards are limited to one per investigator and past recipients may not reapply.

Application Process

Applications should include the following:

  1. Cover Sheet including project title, applicant’s name, affiliated institution, degree program, email address, and telephone number, name, and email address of primary mentor.
  2. Project title and abstract (250 word maximum)
  3. A statement of purpose describing how the project will advance your career in trauma research and connect to the Stepping Strong Center’s mission (100 word maximum)
  4. Research plan, 2 pages (references do not count towards page limit; figures/tables do count in 2-page research plan; supplemental documents are not allowed)
  5. NIH format Biosketch for applicant and mentor
  6. Brief description of how funds are intended to be used (250 word maximum)

    Submit the application by email to steppingstrong@bwh.harvard.edu as a single pdf. In the subject line, please note “SSCTI Explorer Grant Application”. Please allow approximately four weeks for a decision.

Review Process

Proposals will be subject to a rigorous scientific review by an expert panel, which will include the center’s faculty leadership.

Awardee Responsibilities

  • The work must be completed within one year of funding or before the applicant finishes their training program, whichever comes first.
  • Provide SSCTI with a mid-point progress report (300 words maximum)
  • Submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal or provide SSCTI with a written summary of the project and results
  • Present project findings to SSCTI leadership and collaborators during works in progress research meeting, injury prevention collaborative meeting, or advisory board meeting.