FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spina Bifida Association and Spina Bifida Foundation Announce 2010 Research Funding

Washington, D.C. – Spina Bifida Association (SBA) and Spina Bifida Foundation (SBF) are pleased to announce the availability of funding for research through its Young Investigator Program for a sixth consecutive year. In 2010, the Young Investigator Awards will be providing  up to three fellowships. The purpose of the awards is to provide either initial or continuing financial support to a newly-independent investigator in an established research program.  The research to be conducted by the fellow may be basic or clinical research but must be relevant to Spina Bifida.

The first award is the Ashley Rose Advancement in Research Award providing up to $50,000. The Ashley Rose Foundation was established by Raymond and Linda Pitek in 1997 in honor of their baby, Ashley Rose. Areas of particular interest are epidemiology and causes of miscarriage related to neural tube defects, although other related research will be welcome.

The second award, in its second year, is a Tethered Cord Research Award providing up to $40,000.  Areas of particular interest are Tethered Cord Syndrome and related clinical and scientific areas.

The third award is the Schneider Charitable Trust Award for $25,000, established by Hollister, Incorporated in 2008.  Areas of particular interest are continence and related clinical and scientific areas.

The project length for each award is one year. All proposals are due before 9:00 pm eastern daylight time on Monday, May 10, 2010.

For detailed proposal requirements and more specific information on each award please visit SBA’s online Research Center at www.spinabifidaassociation.org. You may also email Joe Giffels, Research Director at jgiffels@sbaa.org.

Spina Bifida Association is the only national voluntary health agency working for people with Spina Bifida and their families through education, advocacy, research, and service.  SBA was founded in 1973 to address the needs of the Spina Bifida community and today serves as the representative of 25 chapters serving more than 125 communities nationwide.  The Association is the only national organization solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the Spina Bifida community.