The University of North Florida has received a nearly $800,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to train students in pediatric rehabilitation research and assistive technology, according to a university press release.
The five-year grant will fund the Proficiency in Research and Innovation for Multidisciplinary Education in Pediatrics program, known as PRIME-PEDS. Dr. Gui Cesar, an assistant professor of physical therapy at UNF, will lead the program, according to the press release.
PRIME-PEDS will provide research education, multidisciplinary training and experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students studying physical therapy, kinesiology, mechanical engineering and other biomedical or health-related fields, according to the press release.
The program is reviewing applications for its first cohort and plans to accept 16 students for fall 2026. It will accept 18 students in fall 2027 and 20 students each year from fall 2028 through fall 2030, according to the press release.
Students will conduct research at UNF’s Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics and Engineering, which combines physical therapy, mechanical and electrical engineering, human movement sciences and pediatric clinical research.
The laboratory focuses on developing rehabilitation interventions and biomedical technologies, according to the press release.
The 12-week program will include coursework, guest speakers, independent projects and hands-on experience working with data science and clinical populations. Students will work in teams to design studies, conduct research, interpret results and present their findings, according to the press release.
More information and applications for the fall 2026 program are available at labe.domains.unf.edu.
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