Partner-Funded Research Opportunities

The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) invites collaboration with industry partners seeking to support and advance research in critical care.

Through its research arm, Discovery, the Critical Care Research Network, SCCM offers a trusted infrastructure for administering investigator-led research grants. SCCM, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, welcomes interest forms focused on a broad range of clinical and translational research topics. Industry grant sponsors may include life sciences companies, medtech and digital health firms, and other mission-aligned organizations.

This opportunity is ideal for organizations looking to:

• Support high-impact research in critical care medicine
• Collaborate with leading experts and institutions through Discovery
• Ensure scientific rigor and transparency through SCCM’s grant administration processes

To learn more, please contact Brian Fitzgerald or complete the interest form.

What types of grants are possible?

Industry-Funded Research Grants: Aimed at supporting novel therapies, clinical studies, and translational research projects. Research may address clinical topics such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, trauma, and organ dysfunction.

Industry-Funded Innovation Grants: Aimed at fostering the development and implementation of innovative technologies or devices to improve patient care in critical care settings. Examples include studies on the development of medical devices, software applications, or telemedicine solutions.

Other Industry-Funded Grants: Interest is broad. Other grant types may include those aimed at enhancing the quality, safety, and efficiency of critical care delivery. Examples include studies focused on implementing evidence-based practices, optimizing care processes, or reducing healthcare-associated infections.

What are the benefits of sponsoring a grant?

Industry grant sponsors have the opportunity to align their brand and values with SCCM while supporting research that propels critical care forward.

• Industry grant sponsors are recognized in numerous ways, including acknowledgement in marketing and communications materials and in published works.
• SCCM is a trusted leader in research. Investigators receive access to the Discovery network and Discovery Data Coordinating Center, contributing to the success of studies.
• SCCM will provide a project close-out narrative and financial report for the funding received.

What is the process?

The process of sponsoring a grant starts by completing the interest form. Be prepared with the following information:

• SCCM login information
• Applicant name, address, and contact details
• Industry category (e.g., pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotech, nonprofit)
• Knowledge area (grant proposals must align with at least one of SCCM's knowledge areas)
• Grant type (research, innovation, quality improvement, other)
• Statement of purpose and relevance to the SCCM mission
• Sponsorship details, including amount of funding to be provided, duration of sponsorship, intended use of funds, and any restrictions or preferences on how funds should be allocated

Once an interest form is submitted and approved, SCCM will work with the industry grant sponsor to refine the scope of the project (eligibility criteria, application requirements and deadlines) and develop a Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Discovery Steering Committee reviews RFPs to ensure they align with SCCM policies and the rules and considerations for industry-sponsored grants.

Rules and Considerations

Industry grant sponsors must agree to the following:

• SCCM will not advance projects that are written to exclusively benefit or evaluate a single proprietary product, treatment, or service. A narrow commercial focus is not permitted.
• All RFPs are subject to review by SCCM to ensure that they reflect academic integrity, transparency, and alignment with SCCM’s mission to improve critical care.
• Once an RFP is approved, SCCM does not permit the industry grant sponsor to control or influence the process or activity. This includes not having influence over manuscripts that arise from the grant-funded research.
• SCCM does not require grant recipients to meet with industry grant sponsors. Any meetings between the industry grant sponsor with the grant recipient must be coordinated through SCCM only.
• SCCM does not permit companies that support grants to receive intellectual property rights or royalties arising out of the grant-funded research.
• All industry-funded grants will follow SCCM's standard legal formats and review, approval, and administrative processes.
• Industry-sponsored grants must be funded at least $50,000 and include a 10% administrative fee.