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IU-led coalition named NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana to advance treatment of musculoskeletal health conditions

An Indiana University-led coalition of industry, workforce, clinical, government and research partners is now part of a major U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative that will build a regional innovation ecosystem in Indiana focused on the care and treatment of musculoskeletal health conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis, and acute and interventional needs like bone fractures and traumatic injuries. The REDS program supported the team’s proposal.

Jul 14, 2026
Melissa Kacena, right, is director of the IU School of Medicine's Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health and principal investigator fo...
Melissa Kacena, right, is director of the IU School of Medicine’s Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health and principal investigator for the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana. (Photo by Chris Meyer/Indiana University)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected the IU-led NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana as one of the nation’s Regional Innovation Engines, supporting a statewide effort to accelerate innovation in musculoskeletal health while strengthening Indiana’s research, workforce, and economic development ecosystem. The initiative brings together more than 170 partners from higher education, healthcare, industry, and government and has the potential to receive up to $160 million in NSF funding over the next decade.

As the evaluation partner, CEPR will play a critical role in helping IMPACT generate the evidence needed to demonstrate impact, support continuous improvement, and position the initiative for long-term success.

The NSF IMPACT Engine seeks to transform Indiana into a national leader in musculoskeletal health innovation by accelerating the translation of research into real-world solutions that improve patient care, create new businesses, and prepare the next generation of talent. Independent evaluation will play a critical role in measuring the Engine’s success and identifying lessons that can inform future regional innovation initiatives.

Through the Research & Evaluation Design Support (REDS) for Grant Proposals program, the Center for Evaluation, Policy, and Research (CEPR) provided support for the proposal.

 

The Research & Evaluation Design Support (REDS) for Grant Proposals program provides specialized consultation related to research design, evaluation plans, survey methodology, and statistics. Click here to learn more about the REDS program.

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