Applying to Research at the AHPRC

The Marquette Athletic and Human Performance Research Center (AHPRC) pilot award program is designed to facilitate and foster collaborative health- and performance-related research between disciplines at Marquette University and with partner institutions and community organizations that align with the following:

1) understanding the mechanisms, the best strategies and cutting-edge technology for enhancing athletic and human performance in healthy and clinical populations across the lifespan,

2) utilizing ‘exercise as medicine’ as well as nutritional, psychological and other novel interventions for optimizing performance, training, rehabilitation and prevention of disease and injury.

1. Support new and promising collaborative and community-based projects that increase the understanding of athletic and human performance with respect to injury prevention, rehabilitation and optimizing human performance within athletic, healthy and clinical For example, topic areas could include (but not limited to) metabolic disorders, cancer, adaptive sports, data analytics in human sports and performance, head injuries/concussion, populations across the lifespan (pediatric and older adults), or COVID-19 pandemic-related health disparities.
2. Gather preliminary data for projects poised to be competitive for new extramural grant submissions that are relevant to

• understanding the mechanisms of human performance (physical and mental) within athletic, healthy, clinical, or community-based populations.
• understanding the influence of physical activity, exercise training, nutrition and psychological interventions on health and human performance within athletic, healthy, clinical, or community-based populations.
• research in novel technologies, approaches and data applications to understanding and improving health and human performance in athletic, healthy, clinical, or community-based populations.

3. Fund novel analyses or approaches of already existing data sets that provide new insights and understanding of health and human performance in athletic, healthy, clinical, or community-based populations.
4. Stimulate and foster:

• Interdisciplinary collaborations between scientists, engineers, coaches, clinicians, and other researchers to understand and improve human performance and solve health-related problems using exercise training, physical activity, nutrition, and psychological interventions in athletic, healthy or clinical populations.
• Community-engaged research and partnerships to improve community wellness and address health disparities.

• The principal investigator (PI) must be faculty from Marquette University.
• Collaborations are encouraged. 
• Use of AHPRC facilities and services for this research is encouraged but not required.  
• Important Dates (summarized at the end of the RFP):
  • Final proposal due: 4:00 PM CDT Friday, June 27^th, 2025
  • Award of funds: Monday, August 18^th, 2025*
  • January report: Monday, January 26^th, 2026
    • 200-word summary of progress and budget spent to date
  • All awarded funds spent by Friday, May 22^nd, 2026
  • Final report due: Friday, June 26^th, 2026

* Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval must be obtained prior to the award and release of funds for research involving human subjects.

• Questions are to be directed to Dr. Mike Haischer, AHPRC Research Lab Manager, via email at michael.haischer@marquette.edu

• Several awards will be funded up to $10,000 each.
• No indirect costs will be allowed.
• All funds must be spent by May 22^nd, 2026.
• Academic year salary for faculty will not be granted.
• Salary can be granted for research assistants, undergraduate students, or graduate students to complete the work.
• Equipment requests over $4,000 in general will not be granted.

Proposals will be reviewed over a 4-5-week period based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) scoring system which involves a 9-point scale (1-9).  Key areas to be scored are:

• Impact, Significance, and Innovation
• Research Plan and Approach (include feasibility to complete in 7-8 months)
• Environment and suitability to the aims of the AHPRC
• Investigators: track record.
• Other considerations that will affect the overall impact score and need be addressed include how this award will lead to further funding and a plan for use of AHPRC facilities in the future for this line of research.

Link to NIH scoring.