The Trauma Research and Combat Casualty Care Collaborative (TRC4), an initiative of The University of Texas System, has announced $18 million in new grant awards to support trauma research and product development at various UT institutions.
“From battlefield innovation to bedside recovery, TRC4’s newest projects demonstrate how the UT System’s research enterprise is accelerating the future of trauma care,” said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents.
“Trauma remains the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 45, so research and innovation in this arena is truly lifesaving,” said Dr. James Bynum, TRC4 Executive Director. “Thanks to the continued support of the UT System Board of Regents and the Texas Legislature, these new grants build on TRC4’s vital work in advancing trauma care for our service members and all Texans.”
The grants will be distributed across ten UT entities and include collaborations with the U.S. Department of Defense. Projects funded by this round include efforts such as an AI-powered nerve stimulation system developed by neurosurgeons and engineers at UT Dallas to help people with chronic spinal cord injuries; a burn treatment initiative called SWATT the FLAME at UT Southwestern aimed at improving recovery outcomes for severe burn patients; and a multi-institutional project led by several UT campuses that uses machine learning on statewide trauma-registry data to identify gaps in emergency response.
Additional funded initiatives involve surgical robotics research at UT Arlington, advanced wound-healing material development at UT El Paso designed for battlefield use, and a post-doctoral fellowship program at UT Medical Branch intended to train future trauma researchers.
TRC4 was established by The University of Texas System Board of Regents and is based at UT San Antonio. It facilitates collaborative basic, clinical, and translational research between UT institutions and military agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency. The organization aims to improve trauma care both in military settings and civilian healthcare through research, training, and clinical partnerships.
Of 53 total awards made this year, 49 were competitive grants totaling nearly $15 million while four were directed awards amounting to $3 million. These grants support a range of activities including clinical studies, pre-clinical research, early-career mentoring projects, proof-of-concept work, and more.
Funded focus areas cover pre-hospital care practices, surgical technologies, new medical devices or therapies, clinical techniques, management of trauma registry data, and advanced wound care solutions.
Specific direct awards include $420,000 for SWATT the FLAME at UT Southwestern; $1.08 million for a post-doctoral fellowship program at UT Medical Branch; $500,000 for a pivotal trial involving nerve stimulation technology at UT Dallas; and $1 million for an AI-driven emergency care improvement project led by multiple campuses including UT Health San Antonio.
For further details about funded projects in 2025 visit: TRC4.org/Grants-Funded.
