International Neuromodulation Society Innovative Research Grant Program

Introduction | Eligibility | Funding | How to Apply | Previous Recipients

Introduction

October 2025

The concept behind the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) Innovative Research Grant Program was introduced by Dr. Simon Thomson, then INS President, in 2013. In recent years, the INS has worked to develop the infrastructure and funding to initiate this important project. We are honored to announce the third round of this critical project. 

The chair upon which this program sits has several legs. It aims to provide: 

1. Early research experience to junior neuromodulators, whether they be health care providers, clinical researchers, scientists or engineers. 

2. The opportunity to create initial findings that lead to external funding and the development of a long-term research program. 

3. Opportunity for INS members to develop the critical skills required to evaluate neuromodulation science and to begin a career that involves high-quality neuromodulation research through the support of a research mentor.

4. Scientists, clinicians and our patients with findings that lead to improvements in safety and efficacy in our field.

To apply for this grant, INS members will submit their most innovative research ideas to a panel of judges for review. Proposals demonstrating the best blend of ingenuity and practicality will be selected, and the winner will be announced at the next INS World Congress.

INS Innovative Research Grant Program recipient will receive up to $30,000 in seed money for their innovative pilot study, which will ultimately help them apply for and obtain extramural funding. None of the funds awarded are to pay for faculty salary, administrative or overhead expenses. This program supports the educational mission of the INS.

Any manuscripts from this grant funding will be submitted to the official journal of the INS, Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, for consideration.

Eligibility

All INS members are eligible to apply, although applications from fellows and early-career neuromodulators are encouraged. Ideally, the grant will be reserved to support a beginning scientist within five years of completion of residency or fellowship, by encouraging and adequately funding projects that can contribute to bridging the gap between training and progression to independent investigator status. Other awards will be used as seed grants to help investigators obtain preliminary data to support a new application to external funding agencies.

Funding

A maximum of $30,000 will be awarded to one recipient. The grant amount will be determined by the INS Innovative Research Grant Program Committee based on funds available and the quality of the applications. 

Innovative Research Grant Programs are funded through a combination of:

• Generous donations from Industry–Boston Scientific, Corp., and Medtronic, Inc., have provided grant to the INS to initiate this important program.
  

• INS funds – The International Neuromodulation Society has contributed to the Innovative Research Grant Program as part of its strategic mission.
  

• We plan to seek further donations both from INS members and Industry.

Funding provided by INS Innovative Research Grant Program will support a research project for one to two years, during which pilot studies can be conducted. The investigator must submit reports every six months to track their progress. Not only do these reports give the researcher an edge over their competition when submitting applications for external funding, but they are also shared with INS Innovative Research Grant Program supporters to provide them with tangible evidence that their donations are making a difference.

At the conclusion of the one or two-year period, a new research grant award is announced, and the cycle of innovation and discovery begins again. The funded researcher will also be awarded funding to attend and present their findings at the biennial INS World Congress.

Please help us extend this opportunity to a greater number of worthy applicants! With a gift of $30,000, you can independently sponsor one Innovative Research Grant Program applicant. Please consider making a donation of any amount to support this worthy cause.

Best wishes,

Konstantin V. Slavin, MD
President, International Neuromodulation Society

Marc A. Russo, MBBS DA (UK) FANZCA, FFPMFANZCA
Past-President, International Neuromodulation Society

Robert M. Levy, MD, PhD
Immediate Past President, International Neuromodulation Society
Editor-in Chief, Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface

Jan Vesper, MD, PhD
President-Elect, International Neuromodulation Society

Lawrence Poree, MD, MPH, PhD
Secretary, International Neuromodulation Society

Application Process

Important: All applicants must be current INS members. Join Now

Step One: A Statement of Intent

A Statement of Intent must be submitted in Microsoft Word as a single document and include the following:

Step Two: Final Application

1.    Final applications will be invited by the Grant Review Committee.
2.    Final applications must be submitted in Microsoft Word as a single document and include the final abstract, budget, biosketches of key personnel, specific aims, and research plan
3.    Up to one page for Specific Aims
4.    Up to six pages for the research plan to include background, preliminary data and/or rationale, experimental plan (including plans to submit to IRB / IACUC when appropriate), description of roles of scientific team members, timeline for milestones and completion, and a detailed definition of plans to advance work beyond this funding interval
5.    Up to one page for letter of support from research mentor
6.    Strong consideration will be given for the likelihood of follow-up extramural funding resulting from this project
7.    All pages are to be single-spaced in 12 point Times-New Roman font
8.    Appendices will not be considered
9.    Final Submission Deadline for the second round of the grant: 28 January

Step Three: Grant Application and Award Process

1.    All complete submissions will undergo review by the INS Innovative Research Grant Program committee members
2.    The grant recipient will receive travel stipends (in addition to the grants) to attend and receive their award at the INS World Congress.
3.    Committee Decisions for the second round of the grant: 3 March

Questions? Contact the INS Executive Office at ins (@) neuromodulation.com.

 Previous INS Innovative Research Grant Recipients

2024

2022