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About the Award
We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Two awards will be made, recognizing individuals and teams who exemplify outstanding commitment to meaningful engagement in pain research, including:
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An individual researcher or PWLE (person with lived experience) of pain who has demonstrated collective and sustained engagement across multiple studies, programs, or initiatives; or
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A team of researchers and PWLE/community partners who has demonstrated exemplary collaboration and impact through a specific research project or program.
For the purposes of this award, ENGAGEMENT is defined as: the meaningful, active, and collaborative involvement of persons with lived experience (PWLE) of pain and/or pain-related community organizations across various stages of the research lifecycle.
Nomination Process
Potential recipients may be nominated by another individual or self-nominate. Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to Dr. Brittany Knight (admin@usasp.org) with the subject: “USASP Engagement Award Nomination.”
To nominate an individual for the Excellence in Engagement Award, please submit the following:
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Nominee’s name, affiliation, and contact information.
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A detailed personal statement that highlights the individual’s experience and leadership in engagement across research studies or programs. The statement should describe key activities, practices, and outcomes, illustrate the impact of the nominee’s engagement activities, and articulate why the nominee’s contributions merit recognition through this award. (Limit 2 pages)
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Letter of support, briefly stating the writer’s relationship to the nominee and providing concrete, time-bound examples of their engagement activities/leadership. The letter may also describe efforts to build equity, accessibility, and power-sharing among researchers and PWLE partners; highlight the measurable impact of their engagement and contributions; and explain any initiatives to build capacity for sustained PWLE engagement in pain research. (Limit 1 page)
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A list of relevant scientific (and other) publications, resources and outputs that highlight engagement activities. This could include co-created resources/materials, engagement plans, dissemination outputs, metrics/evaluations, scientific publications, presentations, videos, interviews, etc. For each, include a 1 sentence description. (Limit 2 pages)
To nominate a team for the Excellence in Engagement Award, submit the following:
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Nominees’ names, affiliations, and contact information of the team that is applying
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Names, affiliations and contact information of designated in-person recipients of the award at the USASP annual meeting (one researcher and one PWLE/community partner).
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A collaboratively written statement by the researcher(s) and PWLE/community partner(s) that outlines the team’s engagement approach within a defined research project or program. The statement should highlight the program’s specific engagement practices, illustrate outcomes and impact, and articulate why the team’s collaborative work merits recognition through this award. (Limit 2 pages).
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Letter of support, briefly stating the writer’s relationship to the nominees and providing concrete, time-bound examples of their engagement activities/leadership. The letter may also describe efforts to build equity, accessibility, and power-sharing among researchers and PWLE partners; highlight the measurable impact of their engagement and contributions; and explain any initiatives to build capacity for sustained PWLE engagement in pain research. (Limit 1 page).
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A list of relevant scientific (and other) publications, resources and outputs that were developed specifically within the project/program. Examples include co-created resources/materials engagement plans, dissemination outputs, metrics/evaluations, scientific publications, presentations, videos, interviews, etc. For each, include a 1 sentence description. (Limit 2 pages).
The selection committee will review all nominations and select recipients based on their demonstrated excellence, authenticity, and impact in advancing engagement in pain research. We encourage members to nominate outstanding individuals and/or teams whose work exemplifies best practices in engagement and serves as a model for the field.
Key Dates and Deadlines
To apply you will submit you materials to admin@usasp.org by Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025.
Nomination Criteria
Nominees (individuals or teams) should demonstrate excellence in engagement and collaboration, whether in a research or lived-experience context.
1. Sustained and Equitable Collaboration
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Researchers: Demonstrated authentic, ongoing collaboration with PWLE/community partners across multiple phases of the research lifecycle (e.g., priority setting, aims development, study design, study conduct, data interpretation, results dissemination).
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PWLE/Community Partners: Describe your involvement across multiple phases of research and/or with different engagement activities, including what contributions you were able to make. If opportunities to contribute were limited, explain what was/was not offered and how that shaped your engagement.
2. Co-Creation and Shared Decision-Making
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Researchers: Show evidence of co-creation, shared decision-making, and governance structures that value PWLE expertise, promote mutual respect, and foster inclusivity.
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PWLE/Community Partners: Describe ways in which you were able to participate in co-creation, decision-making, or governance. If you were not given these opportunities, explain what options were available and how you contributed within the scope provided.
3. Reducing Barriers and Capacity-Building
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Researchers: Describe strategies used to reduce barriers to participation for PWLE/community partners (e.g., accessibility, fair compensation) and to build skills and capacity for all team members.
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PWLE/Community Partners: Describe how barriers to participation were addressed, what your recommendations on compensation/accessibility were, and how your own or others' capacity to contribute meaningfully.
4. Results Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing
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Researchers: Highlight approaches to share results or insights with diverse audiences using innovative or accessible methods where possible.
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PWLE/Community Partners: Highlight your role in community results or insights to relevant audiences, and any contributions to creative or accessible dissemination approaches.
5. Impact of Engagement
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Researchers: Explain how PWLE engagement influenced research priorities, process, outcomes, or the team's growth. Describe tangible or meaningful effects, and how your work has contributed to advancing authentic and meaningful engagement in pain research.
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PWLE/Community Partners: Explain how your involvement influenced research priorities, processes, outcomes, or team/community experiences. Describe tangible or meaningful effects, and how your contributions have helped advance authentic and meaningful engagement in pain research.
