North American synthetic turf producer FieldTurf has announced a call for research proposals aimed at enhancing athlete performance and safety on synthetic turf surfaces.

Researchers are invited to submit proposals that focus on the following areas:

• Advancements in synthetic turf technology: Investigate and develop innovative materials, designs, or technologies that could improve the quality, performance, and durability of synthetic turf surfaces.
• Athlete-surface interaction and biomechanics: Study how athletes interact with different playing surfaces including synthetic turf, and analyze the impact on performance, injury risk, and athlete well-being.
• Safety and health considerations: Examine the safety aspects of synthetic turf, including injury rates, temperature-related concerns, and potential long-term health implications for athletes.

Researchers participating in this initiative will benefit from:

• Access to funding opportunities to support their research.
• Opportunities for collaboration with industry experts.
• The potential to drive significant advancements in athlete safety and turf technology.

Submission Guidelines:

• Deadline for submission: July 1, 2024.
• Proposal requirements: text proposal (maximum 2 pages) including background, problem statement, objectives, and general methods.
• Supplementary materials (maximum 1 page each, bulleted list) detailing the research plan and budget.
• Proposals promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary research are strongly encouraged.

Judging Criteria:

• Impact on current turf technology and athlete safety
• Potential impact on future developments of synthetic turf science and products
• Ability to carry out the proposed research with the team
• Cost-effectiveness

Timeline:

• Submission Deadline: July 1, 2024
• Finalist Interviews: July-August 2024
• Decision Announcement: August 20, 2024

Eligibility:
This call is open to researchers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who are passionate about advancing athlete safety and synthetic turf.

Funding and Support:
Selected projects will receive funding and research support from FieldTurf, with grants up to USD100,000 per project during this funding cycle. Potential for additional funding in subsequent phases is available, encouraging proposals with a long-term research vision.

The funds obtained through the FieldTurf Research Grant can be used for research activities including personnel compensation, equipment, and other research materials. Overhead can account at most for 33% of usage of the grant funds.

How to Submit:
To submit your proposal or for further inquiries, please contact: Eric Habib at eric.habib@fieldturf.com. Use “[Artificial Turf Grant]” as your email subject.

More information can be found here