CPR Research Funding

RECOVER seeks proposals that:

• Address clearly defined knowledge gaps in veterinary CPR
• Advance understanding of CPR techniques, interventions, or outcomes in dogs and cats
• Support the refinement of clinical CPR guidelines
• Incorporate rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative methodologies

The Knowledge Gap Grant supports research in the following areas:

• Applied Clinical Trials: Prospective studies evaluating CPR interventions, devices, or protocols in real-world veterinary clinical settings involving dogs or cats.
• Educational and Translational Research: Studies evaluating CPR training methods, team performance, and educational strategies that improve clinical CPR delivery and outcomes.
• Experimental Studies: This funding mechanism considers proposals involving laboratory animal use.
• Applicants with questions regarding eligibility, project scope, or alignment with RECOVER research priorities are encouraged to contact Erick Licher at er**********@***************ve.org before submitting an application.

RECOVER has identified multiple high-priority knowledge gaps across the continuum of CPR care, including but not limited to:

• Basic Life Support (compression rate, depth, airway priorities)
• Advanced Life Support (drug dosing, vasopressors, timing of interventions)
• Monitoring During CPR (EtCO₂, blood pressure, ultrasound)
• Post-Cardiac Arrest Care (re-arrest prevention, temperature management)
• Preparedness, Team Dynamics, and Education
• Newborn resuscitation

Proposed projects must clearly identify which RECOVER knowledge gap(s) they address.

• LOI Submission Deadline: June 1, 2027
• LOI Notification: July 15, 2027
• Full Proposal Deadline: September 1, 2027
• Award Announcement: October 15, 2027
• Grant Start Date: December 1, 2027

Applications are welcome from a broad range of organizations, including:

• Universities and academic institutions
• Private veterinary practices
• Non-profit and for-profit organizations
• Government agencies and research laboratories
• Early-career investigators are encouraged to apply. Collaborative and multi-institutional research teams are strongly supported.

Important Eligibility Notes

• Clinical trials and observational studies are eligible
• Experimental studies are eligible
• Proof of institutional support is required

Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

• All applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to confirm alignment with RECOVER research priorities.
• The LOI must include:

1. 1. A brief project overview and the RECOVER knowledge gap(s) addressed
   2. Research hypothesis, objectives, and proposed approach
   3. Feasibility plan, including strategies to address limited clinical case numbers
   4. Estimated budget and project timeline

Step 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

• Applicants selected through the LOI review process will be invited to submit a full proposal.
• The full proposal must include:

1. 1. Detailed study design and methodology
   2. Budget and justification (indirect costs may be requested up to a maximum of 8% of direct costs)
   3. Ethics and compliance plan
   4. Letters of institutional support

Letter of intent

• Reviewed by the RECOVER Trials Subcommittee and, if needed, invited experts for specific applications.

Full Proposals

• Reviewed by RECOVER Trials Subcommittee and invited experts for specific applications
• Use of a grant review rubric to ensure fair, consistent and transparent review process
• Highlights scientific merit, feasibility, and impact of project
• Factor 1: Importance of research (significance and innovation). The relevance and potential of the project to advance veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation research, address critical problems, and introduce novel approaches. These two factors taken together define the importance of the project and as such reflect the maximum impact a project could have if perfectly executed.
• Factor 2: Rigor and feasibility. The soundness of the study design, methodology, and the feasibility of successfully completing the proposed work within budget and timeline.
• Factor 3: Expertise and resources. The qualifications of the investigators and the adequacy of the institutional environment and resources to support the project.
• Additional review criteria: ethical and legal compliance, budget justification, risk to RECOVER, data management, collaborations & partnerships, support of early-career investigators, environmental impact, dissemination plan.
• Overall impact score: denotes the project’s potential to make a sustained and meaningful contribution to its field. The interpretation of “impact” may vary depending on the application’s type and goals.

Competitive applications typically:

• Address a clearly defined RECOVER knowledge gap.
• Investigate a question with direct relevance to CPR performance, patient outcomes, or post-cardiac arrest care.
• Have a realistic and achievable study design within the proposed timeline and budget.
• Demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear analytical approach.
• Generate findings with the potential to influence future RECOVER recommendations.
• Include multidisciplinary or multi-center collaboration when appropriate.

Projects focused primarily on educational outcomes, self-confidence measures, or local implementation without a clear connection to a prioritized CPR knowledge gap are generally less competitive.

The full RFP PDF will be made available soon.