To Whom It May Concern:

 

The South Dakota Spinal Cord/ Traumatic Brain Injury research fund was established in 2004 by Governor Mike Rounds, State of South Dakota.

 

The purpose of the fund, which is administered by the South Dakota Spinal Cord / Traumatic Brain Injury Research Council, is to:

 

  • Promote research to develop better understanding of causes and effective treatment strategies for paralysis, sensory loss, and other consequences of spinal cord/traumatic brain injury and disease.
  • Advance knowledge of spinal cord/traumatic injury, repair, and regeneration.
  • Foster collaborative interdisciplinary approaches.
  • Nurture spinal cord/traumatic injury researchers through support of young scientists.

 

Several applications have been supported by these funds and include four basic science and two rehabilitation research projects.  Please visit our web site at http://www.scitbi.org/ for more details on those.

 

Given that these funded applications represent a significant portion of the neuroscience research infrastructure of the State of South Dakota, the Council is motivated to seek additional sponsorship to further advance and maintain the goals of the program.

 

The Council is therefore inviting applications to develop a united collaborative endeavor that would promote leadership in the role of SC/TBI related healthcare, research or rehabilitation in the State of South Dakota. Approximately $180,000 is available for this unique purpose. Priority will be given to the application that will most likely succeed in maintaining future independent program support beyond the Council’s current tenure, which expires in January 2008.

 

Please provide a letter of intent and a brief description of the proposal to Leo Hallan, Chair, SC/TBI Council by June 12th, 2007. The Council will arrange to meet with applicants for additional discussions that may be required to assist with the award process.

 

Sincerely,

 

Council Chairman

Leo Hallan

412 Mulberry St.

Yankton, SD 57078

605-668-0051