The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) and the Institute of Neuromodulation (ION) are pleased to support the next generation of neuromodulation researchers through the NANS/ION Early Stage Investigator Research Grant (ESI Grant).

Designed for early-career physicians, engineers, and scientists, the program provides funding and mentorship to help investigators develop essential research skills, generate preliminary data, and establish a foundation for future success.

Early-stage investigators with an interest in neuromodulation are encouraged to apply for a NANS/ION ESI Grant to support their research and professional growth.

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Overview:

• Applicants must have an interest in neuromodulation and their research topic must be related to the neuromodulation field
• Two (2) $25,000 grant will be awarded under the NANS/ION ESI Grant program
• Applicants must submit their application on or before the deadline in order to be considered for funding
• Applicants may only submit one (1) application and may only receive one (1) grant
• Applicants must select a mentor and agree to participate in the mentorship program (if selected)
• Applications will be accepted beginning July 15, 2026 and the application deadline is September 15, 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria in order to apply for a NANS/ION ESI Grant:

• Interest in neuromodulation
• Research topic related to neuromodulation
• Qualify as an early-career stage investigator
• Agree to abide by all policies and terms controlling the NANS/ION ESI Grant​

Areas of Funding

A total of two (2) grants will be awarded under the NANS/ION ESI Grant program to projects that include clinical, preclinical, and/or engineering principles:

• One (1) grant will be awarded to brain-related neuromodulation research

• One (1)-grant will be awarded to fund pain- or spine-related neuromodulation research

Mentorship Selection

Each applicant must (i) identify a mentor, (ii) contact the mentor, and (iii) submit a letter of support from the mentor with their application. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to select a NANS member from an institution other than their own. Applicants may also choose a mentor who is not a NANS member; however, if selected for further consideration, they may be required to provide additional documentation, including a justification for the mentorship selection and a signed letter from the mentor agreeing to abide by the terms of the NANS/ION Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Grant contract established by the NANS/ION ESI Grant Taskforce.

In addition, grant recipients will be matched with a senior mentor and advisor from the Grant Taskforce whose research area of interest and expertise is aligned with that of the recipient. The NANS/ION Research Fellow is not required to belong to the same institution as the NANS mentor and, in fact, is encouraged to be outside of the mentor’s institution in order to foster a partnership and collaboration that might not otherwise be feasible.

Selection Process

Applications will be welcomed for submission to the NANS/ION ESI Grant taskforce between July 15, 2026 and September 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a minimum of three (3) seasoned researchers. Grant recipients will be selected based on the merit and novelty of their research, as well as the feasibility of the proposed research plan. Review results will be shared with Applicants between November 1 and November 15, 2026. ​Award recipients will be announced at the 2027 NANS Annual Meeting.

​Applicants selected to receive the NANS/ION ESI Grant will be recognized as a “NANS/ION Research Fellow." Each NANS/ION Research Fellow will receive up to $25,000 over a 1-year period to fund the research described in their application. All grant funds must be used to fund the research described in the application and in accordance with the budget submitted. Grant funds may not be used to fund meals, travel or other personal expenses. Grant checks will be payable (and mailed directly) to the recipient’s institution listed in the application. Grant funds will not be disbursed to individuals.

Grant recipients will be officially notified via e-mail. All funding decisions are final. To accept the grant, the recipient must return a signed copy of the grant acceptance letter by the deadline noted in the notification e-mail. Failure to return a signed copy of the grant acceptance letter by the deadline will result in the forfeiture of the grant.

Metri​cs for Success / Reporting Requirements

​The grant will be paid in two (2) installments as follows:

• One-half ($12,500) at the time the grant recipient is announced
• Remainder ($12,500) upon the Grant Taskforce’s receipt of a 3-month progress report
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Required Reporting: In addition to the 3-month progress report, NANS/ION Research Fellows must:

• Submit a final progress report, accompanied by a financial report detailing the expenditure of grant funds, by no later than December 31, 2027.
• Present their data at the NANS 2028 Annual Meeting
• Submit annual research progress reports for three (3) years

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This information, as well as other measurable outcomes (i.e., posters, publications, grant funding) of former award recipients will be used by NANS to help gauge the success of the NANS/ION ESI Grant program.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are indirect costs allowable/what is the indirect costs policy? 

• NO. Per the application, grants may not support fellows' salary, grant administration costs, and/or other indirect costs. 
  

2. Can the grant be applied to an ancillary project for an existing NIH-funded research project? (Provided it addresses a distinct scientific aim, and is not requesting support for work already funded by NIH) Or, does the grant require an independent, newly developed project separate from any existing funded research? 

• NO. We expect an independent, newly developed project separate from any existing funded research. Given this is a training award, we understand there may be some relationship with a project currently funded by a mentor, but we do not expect the application to simply be an extra aim on top of a currently existing grant. The project may build upon an existing funded effort but must address a distinct scientific question or objective.

Questions about the ESI grant? Please email [email protected] for assistance.