NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Research, Coaching Advancement, and Equipment Grants. This cycle, the Foundation will award nearly $175,000 in research funding and resources to 12 deserving NSCA Members. These grants reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advance the science and practice of strength and conditioning through evidence-based research.

This year’s recipients represent a diverse group of faculty and student researchers from institutions across the U.S., each contributing to the growing body of knowledge in performance, health, and tactical populations.

“The quality and competitiveness are increasing every year,” expressed Dr. Brandon Roberts, Chair of the NSCA Foundation Grant Committee. “We are excited to support projects that reflect a broad spectrum of topics that move the field forward.”

The NSCA Foundation is one of the few sources that funds research across education and experience levels — from master’s degree students up to senior investigators and practitioners — as well as work in the strength and conditioning field.

2025 Research Grants

Directed Research Grant:

Tunde Szivak, Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice in the Field: Evaluating Physical Training Practices and Curriculum Standards in Massachusetts Municipal Police Academies, Merrimack College*

Senior Investigator Research Grant:

Anthony Deldin, Developing a Force-Velocity Curve and Speed-Strength Velocity Zones Using Medicine Balls, Loyola University Chicago*

Young Investigator Research Grant:

Zachary Gillen, Effects of Low, Moderate, and High-Load Resistance Training on Measures of Muscle Strength, Power, Endurance, Size and Activation, Mississippi State University*
Jennifer Kurtz, Effect of Creatine on Neurocognition and Performance Recovery Following an Ultra-Endurance Race, Appalachian State University*

Doctoral Research Grant:

Adrian Wolff, Physiological Demands of Crouched and Upright Gait for Tactical Locomotion, University of Nevada, Las Vegas*
Erica Schafer, Assessing Total Health, Performance, and Nutritional Attributes in Female Tactical Athletes: The ATHENA Study, The University of Alabama
Javad Bakhsinejad, Assessments of Strength Coaches, Springfield College**

Masters Research Grant:

Kornkanok Sophonsakulrat, Exploring the Time Course of Strength and Size Adaptations to Variable Resistance Training in Women, Texas Tech University

2025 Coaching Advancement & Equipment Grants

Dr. Richard Borden Coaching Advancement Grant:

Craig Hermans

Military CSCS® Support Grant:

William ‘Nick’ Tsismanakis, U.S. Navy

DC Blocks Law Enforcement Strength Training Equipment Grant:

Coach Kurt Weinrich Jr., Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Hammer Strength – Life Fitness Equipment Grant:

Coach Travis Osborne, Illinois Valley High School

An asterisk (*) indicates the school is a member of the NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP), which recognizes institutions that meet established guidelines to effectively prepare students for careers in strength and conditioning.

Double asterisks (**) indicate the undergraduate or graduate program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Accreditation (CASCE), representing the highest standard in strength and conditioning education. Starting in 2030, graduation from a CASCE-accredited program is required to sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) exam.

“It’s inspiring to see such a wide range of research topics that address real-world challenges in our field,” remarks Scott Caulfield, President of the NSCA Foundation. “We congratulate all the recipients and look forward to the impact their work will have.”

“These grants are a testament to the NSCA Foundation’s mission to foster scientific inquiry and support the next generation of researchers,” affirms Carissa Gordon Gump, Executive Director of the NSCA Foundation. “We are proud to invest in projects that will shape the future of strength and conditioning.”

The NSCA Foundation encourages interested NSCA Members to learn more and apply next cycle at NSCA.com/Grants.

Media Note: To schedule an interview, please contact Foundation@NSCA.com.

About the National Strength & Conditioning Association Foundation

The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation (NSCAF) was founded in 2007 with the aim of supporting the advancement of strength and conditioning practical applications. The NSCA Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to providing funding to NSCA Members taking part in educational and research endeavors.

Since its establishment, the NSCA Foundation has awarded 214 research grants, 27 coaching advancement grants, and 676 financial scholarships, totaling over $4 million to outstanding individuals within the strength and conditioning community. The NSCA Foundation is one of the few sources that funds research across education and experience levels — from master’s degree students up to senior investigators and practitioners — as well as work in the strength and conditioning field. The NSCA Foundation strives to maximize assets for the purpose of increasing grants and scholarships for NSCA Members.