Invisible Wounds Foundation Secures $500,000 Grant to Enhance Military Brain Health Initiative

Grant for Military Brain Health Initiative

On June 18, 2026, the Invisible Wounds Foundation announced a significant milestone in the advancement of military healthcare. The foundation has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the DAV Charitable Service Trust, which aims to enhance the understanding and treatment of brain injuries caused by explosive blasts affecting veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The Invisible Wounds Foundation, based in Chicago, will leverage this funding to support its prominent initiative known as the Military Brain Health Collaborative. This pioneering project is the first of its kind in the nation, bringing together diverse sectors to tackle the challenge of understanding and treating blast-related brain injuries comprehensively.

For over two decades, service members have faced serious threats from explosions during their military engagements, be it from artillery, demolition training, or enemy attacks. As a result, many veterans suffer from a range of debilitating health issues, particularly when it comes to brain function.

Despite notable advancements in the field of traumatic brain injury research, comprehensive answers regarding the causes, effective diagnosis, and treatment methods remain elusive. Shannon Finn Connell, CEO and Board Chair of the Invisible Wounds Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for clarity and understanding in this area, stating, "The men and women who have answered the call to defend our nation deserve answers. This grant allows the collaborative to bring together the best minds in military medicine and advanced technology to accelerate discoveries that can improve the lives of service members and their families."

This funding is crucial not only for research but also for coordinating efforts across various institutions, including federal agencies and academic medical centers. The Military Brain Health Collaborative intends to integrate ongoing projects from diverse stakeholders, including non-profits and industry partners, aiming to maximize the efficacy of research and combine knowledge across disciplines.

Dr. Lara Campbell has been appointed to oversee the operations of the Collaborative, drawing on her extensive background as the former director of the Convergence Accelerator at the National Science Foundation. The initiative will also benefit from the guidance of an esteemed Medical and Science Advisory Council composed of leaders in neurology, neuroscience, and military medicine, providing a wealth of expertise to inform research efforts.

A significant area of research for the collaborative involves examining the biological impacts of acute and repetitive blast exposure, which can induce measurable changes in brain structure and function even in the absence of diagnosed concussions. Dr. James Kelly, Chief Medical Scientist of the Invisible Wounds Foundation, remarked on the importance of understanding these phenomena and the necessity of developing effective diagnostics and treatments based on rigorous scientific inquiry.

As Connell aptly stated, "Our efforts will ensure that service members exposed to blasts during training and combat benefit from the same scientific rigor that has transformed other medical fields. We are excited to work alongside DAV in this vital initiative."

The Invisible Wounds Foundation is committed to the brain health of America's veterans, focusing on innovation and collaboration with top medical researchers, governmental entities, and community partners. Its work aims to revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of blast-related injuries, especially in Special Operations Forces. By prioritizing these efforts, the foundation hopes to safeguard the well-being of America’s military heroes.

For more information about the Invisible Wounds Foundation and its initiatives, visit invisiblewoundsfoundation.org.