Announcement – Spinal Bracing RFP Re-opening
AOPA, under the auspices of its Orthotics 2020 program, circulated a request for proposals early in 2018 relating to 5 subject areas for original orthotic papers, with the original deadline for receipt of applications by April 30, 2018. Proposals have been received in all five of those categories. This notification is to announce a re–opening of the opportunity to submit grant applications/extension of the deadline for applications as to the two revised RFPs on spinal bracing (available below). Extensions do not apply to any of the other research categories/RFPs which have already advanced into the decision stage.
AOPA will now be accepting applications for grants as to the two revised spinal bracing RFPs, available below, provided that they are received no later than September 20, 2018 at 11:59 pm.
In all other respects, except for this extended deadline date, all terms stated in the original AOPA announcements remain intact and in effect as to these two revised spinal bracing RFPs.
Please review closely the terms of the RFPs. One problem we have noticed with responses is that there were multiple scoliosis applications/research protocols submitted under the RFP for back bracing. The category of back bracing is neither written nor intended to solicit submissions related to scoliosis. There may come a time when we will be looking for scoliosis papers, but this is NOT that time, so please do not commit your valuable time and energies to submitting scoliosis proposals in response to this back bracing RFP.
Back bracing is a very important and primary category in the orthotics profession. We have intentionally expanded the publication/notification /outreach to a broader audience of potential investigators toward submission of proposals as to these two revised spinal bracing RFPs. We will encourage and will welcome all high-quality submissions which are in accordance with the terms of the two RFPs.
Please contact AOPA staff at ymazur@AOPAnet.org with any questions.