Call for Nominations: Military Brain Health Collaborative Working Group

The Invisible Wounds Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, invites nominations and applications for appointments to the inaugural Military Brain Health Collaborative (MBHC) Working Group, a multidisciplinary team of experts charged with developing a research strategy to accelerate discovery of the biological and physiological mechanisms underlying blast-related brain injuries affecting military service members and veterans.

Nominations are due July 13, 2026.

Although traumatic brain injury has been studied extensively for decades, critical questions remain regarding the root causes, disease pathways, and mechanisms of brain injuries resulting from acute and repetitive exposure to blasts and concussive events. Emerging advances in neuroscience, systems biology, artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and precision medicine create new opportunities to accelerate the development of effective interventions, diagnostics, treatments, and preventive measures.

The Military Brain Health Collaborative seeks to bring together leaders with diverse experience in science, medicine, AI and modeling, data analytics, and research management to solicit, analyze and recommend for funding the most promising proposals for transformative blast-related brain injury research. These proposals will be funded through an innovation fund currently being raised by the Invisible Wounds Foundation.

Purpose of the Working Group

The Working Group will serve as an expert advisory body responsible for:

-Reviewing the current state of knowledge regarding blast-related brain injury.
-Identifying critical medical, scientific and technological gaps.
-Producing a strategic research roadmap to guide future philanthropic investments.
-Establishing research priorities capable of accelerating breakthrough discoveries.
-Developing standards and evaluation criteria for scientific rigor, reproducibility, and data sharing.
-Designing a national Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit innovative ideas from medicine, academia, government, industry, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative efforts among these groups.
-Recommending peer-review and portfolio-management processes.

Areas of Expertise Sought

The Foundation seeks nominations for individuals with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following disciplines:

Neuroscience and Medical Brain Injury
-Blast Injury Research
-Neuroscience
-Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
-Neurophysiology
-Neuropathology
-Neurovascular Biology and Blood-Brain Barrier Research
-Neuroimaging

Discovery Science and Mechanism Research
-Systems Biology
-Multi-Omics Research (Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Transcriptomics)
-Computational Biology
-Network Medicine
-Biomarker Discovery
-Precision Medicine

Data Science and Advanced Technologies
-Artificial Intelligence
-Machine Learning
-Advanced Analytics
-Computational Modeling and Simulation
-Digital Twin Technologies
-Complex Systems Analysis

Research Development and Translation
-Clinical Research Methodology
-Translational Medicine
-Program Evaluation
-Research Portfolio Management
-Biomedical Innovation

Strategy and Resource Management
-Research Program Management
-Research Funding Strategy
-Venture Philanthropy
-Financial Management
-Public-Private Research Partnerships
-Collaboration with patient communities and advocacy groups

Working Group Composition

The Foundation anticipates appointing approximately ten members representing the following capabilities:

-Blast/Traumatic Brain Injury Neuroscience
-Neurovascular
-Neurophysiology
-Molecular and Cellular Biology
-Systems Biology / Multi-Omics
-Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
-Computational Modeling & Simulation
-Computational Biology / Network Medicine
-Program Management
-Financial Strategy
-Philanthropic Management

Additional appointments may be made to ensure appropriate expertise, diversity of perspectives, and stakeholder representation.

Desired Qualifications

Candidates should possess:

-Significant professional educational credentials. (MD, PhD, or relevant Masters training desired)
-Accomplishments and recognized expertise relevant to blast-related injury and/or driving research collaborations to patient impacts.
-Experience leading and participating in complex scientific, medical, or technology working groups, panels, and initiatives.
-A demonstrated commitment to rigorous, evidence-based decision-making.
-Experience working in multidisciplinary environments.
-An interest in advancing solutions for military service members and veterans.
-Experience in military medicine, veteran health, neuroscience, biomedical research, advanced analytics, AI, precision medicine, or large-scale research programs is highly desirable.

Time Commitment

Appointments will be for approximately twelve months and extended as agreed. Expected commitments include:

-Monthly virtual meetings (2–3 hours).
-Participation in three in-person two-day workshops tentatively scheduled for the week of July 27, 2026 (Chicago); the week of September 14, 2026 (Chicago); and the week of November 16, 2026 (location TBD). Additional meetings for future research cohorts will be scheduled in 2027.
-Review of and comment on scientific literature, briefing materials, and draft reports.
-Participation in development of strategic recommendations and the MBHC Request for Proposals.

Estimated workload will vary, averaging approximately 8-12 hours per month.

Compensation

Working Group members will be eligible to receive an honorarium of $1,000 for attendance and participation in each workshop and in recognition of their service and expertise. Approved travel expenses associated with Working Group activities will be reimbursed.

Deliverables

The Working Group will develop by the September 2026 meeting:

-A National Blast-Related Brain Injury Research Strategy.
-A Scientific Gap Analysis and Research Prioritization Framework.
-Research Standards and Proposal Evaluation Criteria.
-A National Request for Proposals (RFP).

Nomination Process

Nominations may be submitted by institutions, professional societies, research organizations, colleagues, or through self-nomination.

Nominations are due by July 13, 2026.

Questions may be directed to: laracampbell@invisiblewounds.org
Nomination materials are submitted here and include:
-Curriculum vitae or résumé.
-Statement of interest (500 words or less).
-Summary of relevant expertise and accomplishments.
-Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.