Clinical-grade spinal cord neuroprosthesis to alleviate locomotor deficits in people with parkinson's disease

Federal Grant Award Summary

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) awarded Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) a $1.184 million Project Grant under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028. This award supports the development of a clinical-grade spinal cord neuroprosthesis designed to alleviate locomotor deficits in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The research is being conducted at CHUV's facilities in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the institution leverages its established expertise in neurodegenerative disease research and innovative medical technologies to advance this translational research initiative.

The project represents a strategic investment in advanced biomedical research aimed at developing novel therapeutic interventions with potential applications for military service members, veterans, and the broader public. By funding this spinal cord neuroprosthesis development, the DHA supports CHUV's sophisticated approach to translational research that bridges laboratory discoveries and clinical applications. The three-year funding period aligns with the program's typical award structure, which generally ranges from $100,000 to $20 million for projects spanning three to four years, allowing CHUV to mature this medical technology toward clinical deployment.