United Cerebral Palsy Announces 2026 Research Grant Awardees Advancing Innovation in Cerebral Palsy Care

Three projects will receive funding to advance clinical and translational research, improve care, and address gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare.

VIENNA, VA, UNITED STATES, September 30, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leader in advancing independence, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities, is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 “Change is Possible for CP” Research Grant Program, selected by the UCP Research Council following a comprehensive review of applications.

The three funded projects represent a range of approaches to addressing cerebral palsy (CP), from improving disability-inclusive healthcare education to exploring new therapeutic strategies for infants at risk for cerebral palsy and identifying barriers that prevent children from receiving timely early intervention.

As World Cerebral Palsy Day approaches on October 6, UCP’s 2026 grant recipients underscore the importance of continued investment in research that advances earlier diagnosis, improves treatment, and strengthens care for people with cerebral palsy — the most common lifelong motor disability in childhood, affecting about 1 in 345 children in the United States.

Each awardee will receive $20,000 to support their research.

Since the program launched in 2022, UCP has funded 16 research projects and committed $284,000 to advancing research and innovation in cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. Five of those grants have been awarded to UCP Affiliates, underscoring the important role UCP’s Affiliate Network plays in advancing research that improves services and care in communities.

Addressing a Critical Research Gap

UCP’s investment comes at a time when cerebral palsy remains underrepresented in the federal research infrastructure. More than 1 million Americans and their families live with cerebral palsy, yet the condition does not currently have a coordinated federal research program in the United States.

“Despite the significant number of people and families affected, important questions about cerebral palsy remain underfunded and underexplored,” said Valerie Pieraccini, co-chair of UCP’s Research Council and vice president of education and innovation at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. “UCP’s Research Grant Program creates an opportunity to support innovative research that might otherwise struggle to move forward, while helping translate new knowledge into approaches that can ultimately improve diagnosis, treatment, care, and quality of life for people with cerebral palsy and their families.”

2026 Research Grant Awardees

Changing Perspectives: Preparing Healthcare Professionals to Provide Inclusive Care for Individuals with Disabilities
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Stewart, Ph.D., ATP, United Ability in Birmingham, Alabama

This project will examine whether experiential, disability-focused training can better prepare future healthcare professionals to provide accessible, person-centered care for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Through direct interaction with people with disabilities and caregivers, as well as hands-on exposure to assistive technology, the study aims to improve future providers’ confidence, communication skills, and understanding of disability-inclusive healthcare.

The Brain-Body Axis as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Potentially Translatable Approach to Reduce Neurologic Impairments
Principal Investigator: Rafael Galindo, MD, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a form of brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth, is a leading cause of cerebral palsy. This project will investigate whether stimulating the brain-body axis through the vagus nerve can reduce inflammation and brain injury in newborns with HIE. Using a neonatal mouse model, researchers will examine whether this approach could ultimately inform new therapeutic strategies aimed at improving long-term motor and cognitive outcomes for infants at risk for cerebral palsy.

Closing the Gap Between Early Cerebral Palsy Risk Identification and Therapeutic Intervention: Linking Early Diagnosis to Timely Treatment
Principal Investigator: Jessica Trenkle, PT, DPT, PCS, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois

Early identification of cerebral palsy risk can create an opportunity for children to receive intervention during a critical period of brain development. Yet many infants identified as being at high risk for cerebral palsy do not receive early intervention services promptly after leaving the NICU. This project will link hospital records with early intervention data to identify where delays occur and examine opportunities to improve the transition from early identification to treatment. The researchers will use these findings to develop scalable and equitable strategies to help ensure children receive critical therapy as early as possible.

Advancing Research That Can Reach Children and Families

The 2026 awardees demonstrate the breadth of research needed to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of cerebral palsy. From investigating the biological mechanisms that contribute to neurological injury to addressing systemic barriers to early treatment and preparing the next generation of healthcare providers, each project approaches an important challenge from a different perspective.

“The strength of this year’s projects reflects the incredible opportunity to improve the lives of people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities,” added Co-Chair Mark Gormley, Jr., MD, and specialist in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation at Gillette Children’s. “These researchers are tackling important challenges at multiple points along the journey — from understanding the biological pathways that can lead to cerebral palsy, to ensuring children receive timely intervention, to preparing healthcare professionals to provide truly inclusive care. UCP is proud to invest in research that can help turn new knowledge into better care, better experiences, and better outcomes for individuals and families.”

The UCP Research Council is composed of medical professionals, clinician-researchers, parents of individuals with disabilities, individuals with disabilities, UCP Affiliate leaders, and community-based advocates committed to advancing the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

For more information about UCP’s Research Grant Program, visit UCP.org or contact Research@UCP.org.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) was founded in 1949, and today, its network of affiliate organizations across North America provides a wide range of services annually to thousands of children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. These services include information, resource referral, advocacy, research, educational instruction, early intervention, therapies, job coaching, integrated employment, home- and community-based services, recreational opportunities, and housing assistance. UCP is committed to its vision that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal members of an inclusive society. Learn more at UCP.org.

Sarah Peiper
United Cerebral Palsy Association
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