The United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) invites proposals for scientific symposia to be presented during the 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting. Symposia are an opportunity to showcase innovative research, emerging concepts, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advances in pain science and care.
The Scientific Program Committee seeks proposals that are scientifically rigorous, timely, engaging, and contribute to a balanced program representing the breadth of the pain research community.
Session Format
Symposia should provide attendees with an integrated perspective on an important topic rather than a series of unrelated presentations. Successful proposals bring together complementary expertise, highlight emerging science or clinical advances, encourage discussion, and provide clear value to attendees.
Symposium sessions will last up to 90 minutes and are expected to be interactive between the presenters and attendees whenever possible.
USASP welcomes innovative session formats when they enhance the scientific content and attendee experience. While a traditional symposium typically includes three presenters, applicants may propose alternative formats (e.g., short talks, debates, panel discussions, or other interactive approaches). Proposals should clearly explain why the selected format best supports the session objectives.
A moderator (can be identified from the presenters if appropriate) should be prepared with follow-up questions for the presenters and the audience to stimulate audience and presenter participation during the Q&A session.
Submission Requirements
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Each speaker (not including moderator) may participate in only one submitted symposium proposal.
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Speakers must represent different institutions (moderators excluded).
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Traditional symposia typically include three presenters. Alternative formats with fewer or additional presenters may be proposed when scientifically justified.
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Speakers may serve as moderators if appropriate.
Preference may be given to proposals that:
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include new voices and avoid repeat symposium speakers
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broaden scientific perspectives
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enhance balance across the meeting
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offer substantive new knowledge, developments, or perspectives
Topics recently presented at USASP Annual Scientific Meetings (i.e., last 3 years) will be considered; however, these proposals should clearly describe how the content offers new evidence, advances, applications, or perspectives beyond that previously presented.
Guidelines for Submission
In the symposium abstract submission form, you will be asked to provide basic session information, upload a table with speaker information, answer questions about your session, and paste the symposium abstract.
1. Speaker Characteristics
Download the PDF at the bottom of the submission portal homepage, which will ask you to provide the information below in a table format. You will upload a completed table for your symposium's speakers in the submission form.
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Speaker Name
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Presentation Title
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Career Stage
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Perspective/Primary Role
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Affiliation and Institution Type
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Talk Length
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Presented at a USASP symposium in last 3 years (Y/N)?
2. Questions About Your Session
You will be asked the following questions about your session:
a. Describe how your proposed symposium contributes to a diverse and balanced scientific program (Max 250 words). Applicants may consider diversity of scientific perspectives, career stages, institutions, disciplines, lived experience, or other relevant dimensions as appropriate
b. Why is this symposium timely and important? (250 words) Examples: Emerging field, Controversial topic, New methodology, New clinical evidence, Cross-disciplinary topic, Implementation, Patient engagement, Health equity, other
c. Describe how attendees will actively engage with the session (Max 150 words). Examples: moderated discussion, audience polling, case-based discussion, debate, or other interactive approaches)
d. (If Applicable) If your proposal does not align with one or more preferred considerations. For example: repeat speakers or limited diversity across one domain), briefly explain why an exception is scientifically justified.
3. Abstract (400-500 words)
Provide a concise overview of the proposed symposium, including the overall theme, significance to the field, and how the individual presentations fit together to create a cohesive session. For alternative session formats (e.g., short talk series, debates etc.), describe the rationale for the format and how it will achieve the session objectives.
