Overview

RFA & APPLICATION

The Football Players Health Study is currently soliciting proposals for innovative “ultra near-term” solutions to improve the health of former and/or current professional football players. Examples of solutions include the application of imaging, sensing, diagnostic, preventative, or therapeutic technologies. Successfully funded awards will emphasize improving health by applying a technology to either prevent or treat a medical condition that has a high prevalence among American-style football (ASF) players. These conditions may include, for example, sleep apnea, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive impairment, musculoskeletal injury, or chronic pain.

The focus of this current RFA is to accelerate innovative solutions towards commercialization that are directly applicable to this population. In addition, eligible solutions should have matured past the proof-of-concept stage of the CIMIT Healthcare Innovation Cycle and be on a path for commercial investment within 12 months.

Technologies with current or near FDA-approval that have been developed for similar or related use cases in different populations are welcome. These may include, for example, the adaptation of innovative solutions/ technologies that have been applied to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as tendon, bone, muscle, or joint disease; detect inflammation and metabolic dysfunction; or reduce risk for long-term sequelae of concussion. Specifically, research should focus on next steps of translation to commercialization. Note: Funding from this RFA is not meant for definitive phase 3 clinical trials.

Eligibility

Universities, academic medical centers, start-ups, and related for-profit entities.

Requirements

Timeline

The proposed work must be completed within 12 months. A final presentation summarizing completed work and findings is expected at the conclusion of the 12 month work period, with a final report due within a month following the presentation.

Outcomes

The findings from this research will have a near-term, direct benefit on current professional American Style Football (ASF) players. The findings should also be of potential benefit to former professional ASF players. While not the primary aim, research results may translate to guide treatment of similar health concerns in other athlete and non-athlete populations.

Target Population

Current and former professional ASF Players.
Note: The Football Players Health Study will not be able to facilitate ASF test participants. Applicants who have existing, approved relationships with this participant population may propose these as a testing population.

Testing Population

The ideal human subject participants for proposed research would include populations who perform activities or have exposure to similar physical demands as ASF players (including multidirectional movements requiring coordination, agility, and power; or athletes who participate in collision sports which create similar mechanism of injury). This may include a population of active adults or athletes (18 and older) including professional athletes, former athletes, active college athletes, or other populations at high risk of injury.

Areas of Emphasis

The RFA is designed to address the needs of current and former ASF players, recognizing the burden of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions, as well as related medical afflictions, in this population.
Proposals should focus on producing clear deliverables which will advance treatments or prevention of health afflictions in current or former ASF players. The needs of the target population and benefits of the proposed solution should be quantifiable and clinically relevant. For example, if successful, an improvement of X% resolving condition B which is common in ASF players.

Applications of a technology to treat or prevent conditions may include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitate accelerated return to play in recovery from muscle hematoma
• Resolution of chronic tendinopathy or soft tissue conditions, such as plantar fasciitis
• Non-invasive methods to resolve joint effusion or soft tissue edema following trauma
• Treatment to reduce recovery time for soft tissue injuries (strains, sprains, and tears)
• Acceleration in time to complete fracture healing
• Chronic pain treatment using novel transdermal cannabinoid delivery systems
• Improved normalization of metabolic or vascular dysfunction after concussion
• Enhanced resolution of concussion related headache, visual ocular, or vestibular symptoms

Key Dates

RFA & APPLICATION