NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research Pilot Project Research Grant

The New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research Pilot Project Research Grant is administered by the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research, a state entity established in 2004 to promote and fund scientific investigation into traumatic brain injury. The Commission was created in response to the significant public health and economic burden associated with brain injuries in New Jersey, where thousands of new cases occur annually and long-term care costs are substantial. Its mission is to stimulate innovative research that advances understanding, treatment, and prevention of brain injury, particularly traumatic brain injury, while fostering collaboration among researchers within the state. This Pilot Project Research Grant program is designed to encourage both experienced investigators and emerging researchers to explore new directions in brain injury research or generate preliminary data for larger, future studies. The program emphasizes feasibility studies, development of new research methodologies, exploration of novel scientific concepts, and secondary analysis of existing data. The overarching goal is to catalyze innovative work that can lead to improved interventions, therapies, and outcomes for individuals affected by brain injuries, while positioning researchers to compete for larger federal or external funding opportunities. Funding under this program supports direct research costs, with a maximum of seventy five thousand dollars per year and allowable indirect costs capped at twenty percent. Awards may be structured as one year or two year projects, depending on the scope and design of the proposed research. Allowable expenses include personnel salaries within specified limits, fringe benefits, equipment purchases with justification, and limited travel for conferences or scientific meetings. However, the program explicitly prohibits funding for construction, tuition, foreign travel, and certain administrative or membership expenses. Supplemental funding of five thousand dollars may also be requested for activities such as laboratory training visits, workshops, or conference planning aligned with program priorities. Eligibility is restricted to investigators affiliated with qualified research institutions located within the State of New Jersey. Eligible applicants include doctoral level researchers, independent investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, provided they are employed by or associated with an approved institution capable of conducting research. Collaboration with out of state or international researchers is permitted, but the primary applicant and institution must be based in New Jersey. Additional institutional requirements include compliance with federal and state regulations related to human subjects, animal welfare, and research integrity. Applications must be submitted electronically through the System for Administering Grants Electronically platform. Applicants are responsible for completing all required forms, uploading supporting documentation, and ensuring organizational compliance materials are current and valid at the time of submission. Required components include a scientific narrative, abstract and lay abstract, organizational documentation, and any applicable regulatory approvals. The submission deadline for the 2027 cycle is October 5, 2026 at five oclock in the afternoon, with no late submissions accepted. A technical assistance session is offered by invitation to support applicants in navigating the process. Applications undergo a rigorous three step review process consisting of administrative review, relevance review, and independent scientific merit review. Evaluation criteria include scientific significance, innovation, methodological rigor, feasibility, investigator qualifications, and alignment with the Commission mission. Final funding decisions are made by the Commission based on reviewer recommendations. Applicants are notified of results by March 31, 2027, and funded projects are expected to begin around April 1, 2027. The program is offered annually, with future cycles anticipated based on continued state appropriations and program priorities.

Align proposal with NJCBIR priorities on traumatic brain injury emphasize innovation and feasibility and ensure strong methodological design and collaboration