# Neurorehabilitation and Restorative Neuroscience Network

> **NIH NIH K12** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $772,200

## Abstract

The paucity of NIH-funded Phase III rehabilitation clinical trials is prima facie evidence that, despite
multiple cycles of taxpayer funding, the incumbent K12 programs have fallen short in their mission of
translating science into treatments for patients. We emphasize the K12 RFA’s first Background sentence:
“Despite the increasing population of individuals coping with chronic disabilities at various levels, the field of
medical rehabilitation has not responded sufficiently to the need for research to validate approaches, optimize
treatments, and incorporate new technologies and opportunities.” Existing programs are inwardly focused and
mired in supporting historical academic and clinical silos. They do not prioritize the research needs of patients
or the training needed to develop investigators equipped to overcome complex disabling disorders.
 We intend a different approach. First, we will include all clinical disciplines, and simply recruit the best
scholars. Second, we will focus on a single group of disorders: disabling chronic neurological disorders. Thus,
we target a multilevel scientific approach (from molecules to outcomes), all directed at the problem of nervous
system recovery and not a clinical credential. Third, we will blend the best of old and new by pairing excellent
and traditional university-based training settings with more contemporary excellent healthcare delivery training
settings based in nonprofit health systems. Fourth, we have assembled a leadership team composed of
successful translational neuroscience/neurorehabilitation investigators with a track record of interdisciplinary
research training. These individuals are national leaders, and each has a wide network for recruiting scholars
and mentors nationally. Finally, we increase efficiency by reducing travel barriers with a geographically
compact network and maximize trainee productivity by including an executive coaching program.
 Alexander Dromerick, MD and Barbara Bregman, PT, PhD are Program Directors. The coordinating
site is Georgetown University and affiliated National Rehabilitation Hospital. Other primary sites: John Hopkins
/Kennedy Krieger Institute (Bastian), Harvard (Schlaug), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health
Professions (Connor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Krebs), University of Maryland/Kernan
(Wittenberg), and Cornell/Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (Ratan). We will provide the strongest possible
interdisciplinary mentorship and training for the early career development of these K12 scholars from all
neurorehabilitation disciplines in an educational environment that promotes strong interactions between basic
and clinical research to develop effective interventions to promote functional recovery after neurological
injuries. We will support 4 faculty scholars yearly,(2-3 years each); they will remain engaged in the K12
program activities for 5 years as they transition to independent faculty positions. Together with their local
p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10218227
- **Project number:** 5K12HD093427-05
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BARBARA S BREGMAN
- **Activity code:** K12 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $772,200
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10218227

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10218227, Neurorehabilitation and Restorative Neuroscience Network (5K12HD093427-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10218227. Licensed CC0.

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