ISSLS BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH GRANT, SPONSORED BY CERAPEDICS

International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine | Fellowships and Awards | ISSLS Basic Science Research Grant, Sponsored by Cerapedics

🚀 Applications Now Open for the 2026 ISSLS Basic Science Research Grant — Apply by March 27, 2026!

Previous winners (sponsored by Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Seikagaku Corporation)

  • 2024: Clara Ruiz-Fernandez & Jordy Schol, Tokai University School of Medicine, Japan.

    Title: Unraveling Adipose Tissue Dysfunction: Investigating the Pro-inflammatory Mechanisms Driving Nucleus Pulposus Cell Degeneration in the Context of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. Read Report

  • 2023: Dr Stefan Dudli, the Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Title: Bacteria-induced trained immunity in disc cells of Modic changes. Read Report

Previous winners (formally the ISSLS Research Grant, sponsored by Taisho Pharmaceutical)

  • 2022: Dr Frances Bach, Utrecht University, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Netherlands, was awarded the Research Grant. As she has now left that institution, Josette van Maanen has continued the project and presented her progress report at the Fellowship Ceremony of the ISSLS Annual Meeting, combined with Spineweek, in Melbourne, Australia.
    Title: The effect of notochordal extracellular vesicles on human and bovine nucleus pulpous explants. Read Report

  • 2020: Dr Graciosa P. Teixeira, Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
    Title: Does complement deficiency influence intervertebral disc phenotype? Insights from C6 and CD59 deficient mice organ culture investigations. Read Report

  • 2019: Dr Olga Krupkova, Laboratory for Immunoengineering and Regenerative Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland.
    Title: Cell-based delivery of GDF-5 for regeneration of the intervertebral disc using CRISPR. Read Report

  • 2018: Hugo Massé-Alarie, The University of Queensland, Australia. Read Final Report, Read Progress Report

2025 BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH GRANT WINNER: CHANTAL VOSKAMP-VISSER

The ISSLS Research Grant Award Committee is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2025 Basic Science Research Grant Award is Chantal Voskamp-Visser, from Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

Chantal will attend the 2026 ISSLS Annual Meeting in Cape Town, where she will present her Progress Report at the Fellowship Awards Ceremony.

Title: Targeting ribosomes to rescue nucleus pulposus cells that are lost in translation

Congratulations to Chantal and her team for an outstanding submission.

The ISSLS is thrilled to announce that applications are officially open for the 2026 Basic Science Research Grant, proudly sponsored by Cerapedics with a US $20,000 award dedicated exclusively to advancing innovative basic science research.

This prestigious grant supports groundbreaking proposals in basic and biomechanical science, with priority given to projects exploring bone health and bone metabolism in the lumbar spine. Proposals should aim to fill critical gaps in scientific knowledge and must not focus on product or class comparisons. At least one investigator must be an active ISSLS member, and the principal investigator must be 45 years of age or younger.

Projects will be evaluated on their significance, strength of hypothesis, rigor of experimental design, and feasibility. Ambitious proposals that leverage ISSLS support to pursue future major funding are strongly encouraged - provided they include a solid plan for securing those resources.

The winning investigator will receive US $20,000 in research funding (research costs only; no salary or indirect expenses). The funding is independently provided by Cerapedics with no expectation of product promotion or preferential use.

🔍 Judging Committee

The award will be evaluated by the ISSLS Research Grant Committee, comprising:

  • ISSLS Secretary – Daisuke Sakai (Chair)

  • ISSLS Secretary Elect – Dino Samartzis

  • ISSLS President – Yong Hai

  • 1st Vice President – Jeffrey Lotz

  • 2nd Vice President – Hans-Joachim Wilke

  • Scientific Representatives – Sibylle Grad, Koichi Sairyo & Donna Ohnmeiss

🌍 Key Dates & Participation Requirements

  • Winner Announced: ISSLS Annual Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa — May 11–15, 2026

  • 2025 Winner Presentation: Also featured during the 2026 Fellowship Ceremony

  • 2026 Winner Requirement: Must attend the 2027 ISSLS Annual Meeting (SpineWeek) in Montréal, Canada to present their progress report (exceptions only under extraordinary circumstances)

📝 Proposal Guidelines

  • Background, Gap in Knowledge, Preliminary Data, Significance, Hypothesis & Specific Aims: 2 pages

  • Detailed Experimental Protocol: 5 pages

  • Future Funding Plan: 1 page

  • References: No limit

  • Brief Biographies: 1 page per investigator

  • CVs: Include for PI and all co-investigators

  • Attendance Statement: Confirm commitment to present in Montréal, 2027

Submit your complete application (single PDF + application form) to ISSLS@asnevents.net.au.

⏰ Don’t miss your chance — deadline is March 27, 2026!

Ignite your research. Advance the science. Shape the future of spine care with ISSLS and Cerapedics.

Application Form