Advocacy

Advocacy and Public Policy

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (FPN) works to support public policies that benefit people with peripheral neuropathy. FPN advocates for federal and state legislation as well as regulatory actions that will eventually benefit PN patients and help ensure funding for further research.

Right now we are asking Congress to fully restore CDMRP (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program) funding to ensure medical research continues. Write to your representative to ask for their support of this critical program.

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Our Policy Targets

While priority issues change from year to year, our main focus is increasing federal investment in research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD), in order to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy Research at DoD

In 2020, Congress included “peripheral neuropathy” as an eligible condition for study through a $370 million DoD fund called the “Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP).” This was a direct result of PN nationwide advocacy led by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

2021

In the first year for PN eligibility, the PRMRP received 41 PN applications out of 1,000+ applications for all eligible conditions. Eight of the 41 PN projects received more than $8 million in funding.

FY2021 PRMRP Awarded Projects

2022

In FY2022, three of 28 applications were awarded funding, totaling more than $4.6 million for PN grants.

FY2022 PRMRP Awarded Projects

2023

In FY2023, three applications were awarded funding, totaling more than $3.5 million for PN grants.

FY2023 PRMRP Awarded Projects

2024

In FY2024 the PRMRP was renewed for a $370 million fund. Visit eBRAP.org to learn more.

FY2024 PRMRP Awarded Projects

Deadlines

Please make note of the upcoming award mechanisms and pre-application deadlines:

Clinical Trial Award: June 9, 2025
Technology/Therapeutic Development Award: June 9, 2025

Full application deadline: July 21, 2025

Learn more about this program, how to apply, and how applications are evaluated.

Background Information

PN’s renewal for PRMRP (Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program) funding allows PN researches to apply for federal grants. This federally-funded research can lead to new therapeutics and treatments.

Every year, Congress determines which conditions are eligible for PRMRP funding. The list is formalized in the Senate version of the annual Defense Appropriations Act. Conditions are not automatically renewed. This means we have to advocate for peripheral neuropathy to be included every year, and get members of Congress to back it to keep it on the list.

To learn more about the importance of maintaining the designation of peripheral neuropathy in the PRMRP, download this fact sheet.

Contact your representatives

Because of the importance of this research to the veterans’ community, the request to include peripheral neuropathy in the PRMRP has been endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans for Common Sense (pdf link opens in new tab).

How Else Can You Get Involved?

Advocacy is speaking out on issues that you care about or offering your opinion and suggestions for how to improve something to the people who are in control. It is important for policymakers to hear directly from you about your experiences. You can take several steps toward advocating for increased research funding for peripheral neuropathy. Contact your senators today and ask them to ensure that peripheral neuropathy is maintained as an eligible condition in the PRMRP.

Download a Sample Letter