The IPF is keen to hear from interested researchers who can contribute to the Foundation’s vision of all IPF beneficiaries leading the life that they wish to lead and the rugby union game being played without catastrophic injuries occurring.
The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) is the official charity of England Rugby and exists to support seriously injured rugby union players at all level of the game. This particularly includes players who sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI).
For over ten years the IPF has been investing in research which aims to prevent these rare but catastrophic rugby injuries and has more recently funded projects investigating ways to restore function post-injury, and ways in which the IPF can better support those who are catastrophically injured while playing rugby.
The IPF is keen to continue this valuable work and wishes to hear from interested researchers who can contribute to the Foundation’s vision of all IPF beneficiaries leading the life that they wish to lead and the rugby union game being played without catastrophic injuries occurring.
Current IPF research priorities include projects which aim to:
- help prevent or manage traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury within rugby
- help manage recovery from TBI/SCI
- have a direct positive impact on the independence of IPF clients who have sustained TBI/SCI
As the majority of the IPFs current research portfolio is focussed on the prevention, management and treatment of people with SCI, we are particularly keen at this time to support work which may address the challenges that individuals with TBI are facing (fatigue, balance etc)
Our intended impact is to provide:
- a reduction in the risk of catastrophic rugby injury
- prevention of issues amongst existing IPF beneficiaries
Please note that research into concussion prevention and/or management, or any degenerative neurological conditions is being prioritised by other organisations and is not the focus of this research call.
Submission of Expressions of Interest
Any expressions of interest can be submitted by submitting the completed form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the 21st October 2023. Depending on the number and scope of submissions received, one or more research panels will assess them and we plan to make initial recommendations to the IPF Board by the end of November 2023.
Further information about the charity and its research is available at www.rfuipf.org.uk.
