NFL Charities has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to support sports-related medical research at 15 organizations. Of these grants, more than $950,000 will go to studying concussion prevention and treatment.

"We are proud to support sports-related medical research through NFL Charities Medical Research Grants," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "These research projects have implications far beyond football, and we are committed to playing a role in helping make sports safer."

NFL Charities has actively solicited and placed emphasis on research proposals focused on areas including concussion/traumatic brain injury research and cardiovascular research. 

This year's grants include studies on stem cells and nervous system injuries; MRI methods after concussions; the effect of temperature on the severity of potential brain injuries; the implications of helmet, facemask and shoulder pad designs on airway and cardiovascular care; and a sleep apnea program focused on NFL players. 

Washington University School of Medicine will receive a grant to show whether a new MRI method can be used to sensitively measure the amount of injury in the brain's wiring system after concussions. 

University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will receive $100,000 to establish a scientifically based, standardized exercise test to determine when it is safe for athletes to return to play after a concussion.

The NFL has supported sports-related medical research for decades through NFL Charities Medical Research Grants. Since 2000, NFL Charities has committed grants to non-profit medical facilities nationwide, including studies on brain injury, ACL injury prevention and heat stress risks.

2012 NFL Charities Medical Grant Recipients:

Washington University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology

This project will show whether a new MRI method can be used to sensitively measure the amount of injury in the brain's wiring system after concussions .

Washington State University

Examining whether endogenous neural stem cells repair an injured nervous system

University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis

The effects of mild hyperthermia on outcome after mild traumatic brain injury

University of Alabama at Birmingham - Department Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Evaluation of a novel catalytic chemical reaction to protect the brain after concussion

The Pennsylvania State University

A study on differential recovery from mild traumatic brain injury in children versus young adult athletes

Columbia University, Dept. of Pathology & Cell 

The role of PP2 Methylation in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Susceptibility and Recovery

Biology and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain

University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Orthopedics, Concussion Management Clinic

Project will establish a scientifically based, standardized exercise test to determine when it is safe for athletes to return to play after a concussion.

The Ohio State University

Protein therapeutics for the treatment of traumatic brain injury

University of New Hampshire

A study on football helmet, facemask, and shoulder pad design and implications for acute airway and cardiovascular care in medical emergencies

University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology

Effects of multiple sports-related concussions on neurocognition and cerebral vascular function

Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Sleep Medicine

A sleep health program for education, screening and evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in NFL players

The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley, Integrative Biology

Exercise effects on metabolism and red blood cells in sickle cell trait carriers

Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine

Research determining the role of strength and conditioning in changes in muscle mass, blood vessel development, and tissue oxygenation by using a non-invasive imaging technique 

Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

A prospective and longitudinal study of the effect of meniscus injury and research which lays a foundation to develop improved interventions after ACL reconstruction

Hospital for Special Surgery, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service

The use of platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy for tendon degeneration