Core Insights - The National Safety Council (NSC) awarded $300,000 in grants for the 2025-2026 Research to Solutions (R2S) and MSD Solutions Pilot programs, totaling nearly $850,000 invested in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) prevention over three years [1][2] Group 1: Grant Programs - The grants support academic research and workplace pilot programs through the NSC MSD Solutions Lab, which was established in 2021 with funding from Amazon [2][6] - The R2S grant provides up to $50,000 for academic institutions to explore innovative MSD interventions, focusing on areas like emerging technologies and total worker wellbeing [4][5] - The MSD Solutions Pilot Grant offers $20,000 to trial safety innovations through partnerships between MSD Pledge members and technology providers [5][7] Group 2: Awardees and Projects - University of Waterloo will utilize innovative MSD risk assessment tools leveraging data from emerging technologies [7] - Auburn University plans to test a new plant-layout organizational tool for MSD control [7] - Texas Tech University will assess 3D printed head and neck rests to reduce discomfort during overhead work [7] - George Mason University aims to develop smartphone computer vision technology for real-time movement assessment to prevent MSDs in emergency responders [7] - Cargill will collaborate with MākuSafe to explore technology for risk profiling and early hazard identification [7] - Northwell will validate the benefits of a "surgeon exoskeleton" in reducing upper limb strain during complex surgical procedures [7]

Core Insights - The MSD Solutions Lab, established by the National Safety Council (NSC) in 2021 with funding from Amazon, aims to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through innovative research and pilot programs [2][4] - The 2023-2024 MSD Solutions Lab Research to Solutions (R2S) and Pilot Grant programs have shown measurable progress in addressing MSDs, which are the most common workplace injuries [1][3] Funding and Grants - Nearly $850,000 has been awarded by NSC in the third grant cycle, including $275,000 to nine organizations during the inaugural 2023-2024 cycle [2] - The MSD Solutions Pilot Grant program supported various companies, including Amerisure Insurance and General Electric Aerospace, in applying emerging technologies to manual materials handling [3] Technological Innovations - The pilot programs involved trials with HeroWear, an exosuit developer, and TuMeke Ergonomics, which utilizes computer vision to detect risky postures [3][6] - Rutgers University developed an AI-based image captioning tool for real-time ergonomic risk identification, while Iowa State University created a predictive model for shoulder MSD hazards [6] Industry Collaboration - The initiative emphasizes collaboration across industries to effectively address MSDs through strategic investment and innovative thinking [4] - NSC's efforts include providing data-backed insights on emerging safety technologies to reduce ergonomic risks [4]