About The Research Fund

The 575,000 survivors of poliomyelitis in the United States, and the 12 million worldwide, know there are consequences of living and aging with a disability. They also know that funding for research into their problems is limited.

Post-Polio Health International (formerly Gazette International Networking Institute) established The Research Fund (formerly The GINI Research Fund) in 1995 dedicated to "the management of neuromuscular respiratory insufficiency or the late effects of polio and to explore historical, social, psychological and independent living aspects of long-term home mechanical ventilation or living with polio."

The Research Fund had $640,000 of uncommitted funds as of mid 2018.

Q: When and how did The Research Fund start?
A: Resolution: The Research Fund

Adopted November 1995
WHEREAS, Gazette International Networking Institute (now Post-Polio Health International), through its publications – Rehabilitation Gazette (discontinued 2003), Polio Network News (now Post-Polio Health), IVUN News (now Ventilator-Assisted Living) – and its international conferences, has consistently and substantially supported educational endeavors regarding quality of life issues of the survivors of polio and other individuals with significant disabilities, and

WHEREAS, PHI through its unselfish spirit of networking, has continually bridged the gap between people with disabilities throughout the world; between people with disabilities and health professionals,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors create and establish The Research Fund, encompassing The Thomas Wallace Rogers Memorial Respiratory Research Grant and The Post-Poliomyelitis Research Grant, a capital fund under its auspices, the income from which will be used to support the work of selected researchers seeking scientific information leading to eventual amelioration of the consequences of poliomyelitis and/or neuromuscular respiratory disorders.

In 2014, the PHI Board of Directors decided to offer a grant annually with a maximum of $50,000 each year and allowing researchers to apply for work completed in a two-year period (i.e., $100,000). They also expanded the call to “the management of neuromuscular respiratory insufficiency or the late effects of polio and to explore historical, social, psychological and independent living aspects of long-term home mechanical ventilation or living with polio.”

Q: What research will PHI support?
A: The initial modest grants will help support researchers, scientists, and clinicians worldwide to investigate the cause(s), treatment, and management of post-poliomyelitis and neuromuscular respiratory disease.

As it approves grants, PHI will foster new innovative research - both basic science and clinical - that will result in improved quality of life for people with disabilities, as well as support valid ongoing research.

Q: How will funding decisions be made?
A: A panel made up of peers and people with disabilities will review all grant applications that meet established requirements for respiratory research or post-poliomyelitis research. This panel's recommendations will be reviewed by the PHI's Board of Directors, who will make the final funding decisions.

Q: How can contributions be made?
A: Post-Polio Health International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3); Federal ID No. 34-0961952. Tax-deductible contributions can be made payable to Post-Polio Health International.

Additional contributions are needed to increase the corpus of The Research Fund so larger grants can be awarded.

"Contributing to the Fund is an excellent way to honor loved ones," says Joan Headley, Executive Director of PHI & IVUN.