ChiroFutures Champions Chiropractic Research and Scholarship at Sherman College’s IRAPS
Originally published: 2025-04-16
ChiroFutures, McCoy Press, and the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation Join Together to Support IRAPS and Lyceum
At this year’s Lyceum, the International Research and Philosophy Symposium (IRAPS) at Sherman College of Chiropractic is getting a major boost thanks to the collaborative support of ChiroFutures Malpractice Insurance Program, McCoy Press, and the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation (FVS). In an exciting new initiative, ChiroFutures is fully funding a $5,000 Research and Scholarship Awards Program to honor the best presentations delivered during IRAPS. These awards will recognize not only exceptional research but also outstanding contributions to the philosophical underpinnings of chiropractic.
McCoy Press and the FVS are also playing critical roles in supporting IRAPS and the broader Lyceum experience. McCoy Press, which publishes several peer-reviewed journals dedicated to chiropractic science and philosophy, will have a visible presence at the event. Their team will be available to assist IRAPS participants with questions about how to prepare their work for publication, including understanding the submission process and strengthening manuscripts for scholarly dissemination.
The Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, under the leadership of its new Executive Director Anquonette Stiles, DC, MPH, will also be on hand at Lyceum. Dr. Stiles and her team will be providing information about the Foundation’s wide range of research support services, including IRB submission assistance, proposal and research design consultation, and their ongoing Fellowship program. The entire FVS Fellowship team at Sherman will be presenting during IRAPS, offering a firsthand look at how the Foundation is nurturing a new generation of chiropractic researchers.
ChiroFutures Steps Up to Support the Future of Chiropractic
As strong believers in the power of research to secure and advance the future of the profession, ChiroFutures is proud to support this initiative. The program reflects ChiroFutures’ ongoing commitment to investing in meaningful academic and philosophical contributions within chiropractic—and in institutions like Sherman College that are keeping the flame of subluxation-centered chiropractic alive.
Incentivizing Excellence in Chiropractic Thought
The awards, evaluated through a detailed judging rubric, will be coordinated by Alan Brewster, DC, Director of Scholarly Activity at Sherman College, and his team. Dr. Brewster is building a highly engaged and productive research environment at Sherman, one that is producing a growing body of subluxation-focused research unlike anything being done at other chiropractic institutions. This award structure is designed to reflect and support that momentum.
The awards will be distributed across multiple categories to ensure broad recognition. Rather than concentrating funds into just one or two large prizes, ChiroFutures opted for a multi-award structure to encourage wider participation and generate enthusiasm among students, faculty, and practitioners alike.
Presentations will be evaluated not only on scientific rigor and clarity but also on their alignment with chiropractic principles—especially the role of vertebral subluxation—and the strength of their philosophical insights.
More Than Just Funding—A Visible Presence at Lyceum
ChiroFutures won’t just be writing the check. Representatives will be present throughout Lyceum, engaging with attendees, distributing educational materials, and talking about the role ChiroFutures plays in safeguarding the profession. The team will be circulating at the event alongside their colleagues from McCoy Press and the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, both of which will also host booths during IRAPS.
In addition to this presence, ChiroFutures CEO and Co-Founder Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH, will be delivering two key presentations during Lyceum and IRAPS. At Lyceum, Dr. McCoy will present "Triage in the New Era of Chiropractic," a continuing education course focused on the evolving risk management strategies needed for modern subluxation practice.
During IRAPS, Dr. McCoy will present a compelling policy exploration of the financial and structural challenges imposed by chiropractic licensure testing requirements. His talk will argue for reform, aligning with Sherman’s broader efforts to advocate for educational and regulatory change within the profession.
Representatives from McCoy Press will be available to speak with attendees about the publication process and how to turn their IRAPS presentations into published articles. Meanwhile, the FVS team, led by Dr. Stiles and the Foundation's research fellows, will offer hands-on guidance and showcase current research initiatives including the Foundation’s Best Practices/Guidelines project.
In addition, ChiroFutures representatives will be available and providing attendees with vital information about malpractice protection, risk management, and the company’s mission to defend chiropractors who stay true to the core principles of the profession.
Strategic Alignment with Sherman’s Mission
This initiative is strategically aligned with Sherman College’s new institutional focus on expanding its research and scholarship infrastructure. Through close collaboration with Sherman’s Center for Scholarly Activity, ChiroFutures’ award program, along with the involvement of McCoy Press and the FVS, helps fuel the very engine that will drive future innovations in chiropractic science and philosophy.
Investing in the Future of the Profession
ChiroFutures has long recognized that the future of chiropractic lies in its ability to generate, defend, and disseminate research and scholarship that honors its founding principles. That’s why the company continues to support leading-edge initiatives like the Best Practices/Guidelines project through the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation and Sherman College’s expanding academic efforts.
By backing IRAPS and Lyceum in this way—and in collaboration with McCoy Press and the Foundation—ChiroFutures is doing more than sponsoring an event—it’s cultivating the next generation of chiropractic thinkers, researchers, and educators.
Visit Us at Lyceum
Be sure to stop by the ChiroFutures booth in the main exhibit hall during Lyceum, and visit McCoy Press and the Foundation near the IRAPS venue. Say hello to our teams, ask your questions, and learn how we can help you contribute to the future of the profession. We’re here to support chiropractic—and your future in it.
