Up to $30,000 Available for Workforce Safety and Health Research

PORTLAND, Maine—The MEMIC Safety Research Center announces its fourth annual call for proposals for workforce safety and health research grants. Researchers from U.S. higher education institutions can apply for grants of up to $30,000 to conduct studies aimed at preventing occupational injury and illness.

"We are excited to continue advancing the program into its fourth year," said MEMIC Group President & CEO Michael Bourque. "MEMIC Safety Research Center grants are an opportunity for researchers to intensively examine workforce safety challenges, gain high-profile publicity for their work, and create positive change for the American workforce in partnership with MEMIC. Research generated by this program will be integrated with the work of expert MEMIC Loss Control professionals who are continuously implementing real-time safety solutions."

The Center, established in 2021, facilitates collaboration between MEMIC’s safety team, policyholders, and academic researchers to advance workplace safety innovation. The program's success is exemplified by its most recent grant recipient, an Oklahoma State University research team awarded $30,000 in August 2024. Their project focuses on developing and assessing virtual reality training materials to enhance manufacturing and construction workers' awareness of serious injury risks related to struck-by and caught-in-between equipment incidents.

Maryann Hoff, MEMIC Senior Vice President of Loss Control and Safety, emphasizes the company's commitment to workforce safety: "At MEMIC, we put safety first, and we believe that our commitment to creating opportunities to explore the advancement of workforce safety solutions is what sets us apart. Through the Safety Research Center, we fund research focused on preventing workforce injuries and illnesses. We are devoted to providing our policyholders with the latest industry-specific safety training and techniques. We aspire to take things a step further by leveraging technology and data to not only ensure compliance but also to improve the total health of workers. Our ultimate goal is to help organizations build sustainable safety cultures."

Application Details

• Deadline: December 20, 2024
• Award Winner Notification: March 2025
• Award Announcement: June 2025
• Grant Amount: Up to $30,000
• Project Duration: Maximum two years
• Eligibility: Researchers from U.S. higher education institutions

Requirements

• Projects must be completed within two years
• Results must be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals or published thesis/dissertation
• Semi-annual progress updates required
• Proposals must clearly indicate short- and long-term impacts on workforce safety and health

The MEMIC Safety Research Center operates as part of The MEMIC Group's broader mission to make workers' comp work better with compassion, trusted partnerships, and relentless commitment to workforce safety.

Clayton Cartwright, Safety Management Consultant now leading the Safety Research Center, encourages applicants to "support the continuous improvement of workforce safety."

Interested researchers can submit proposals through the online submission form by December 20, 2024.

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About MEMIC
The MEMIC Group includes MEMIC Indemnity Company, MEMIC Casualty Company, and parent company Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company; all rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. The MEMIC Group holds licenses to write workers’ compensation across the entire country. The group insures and serves nearly 21,000 employers and their estimated 300,000 employees with dedicated safety and injury management service teams from Maine to Florida.