Search Results

The federal process is currently underway to determine the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for all federal agencies, including the NIH.  If you’ve been wondering where things stand with  NIH funding for FY 2026 , how the federal appropriations process works, and how  USASP members are getting involved , the following is a brief summary.   A little background: FY 2026 Budget Process The President’s Budget Request  was released by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in early May.  Read more here In short, the FY 2026 President’s Budget included  A 40% reduction in the NIH budget ($27.9 billion).  Elimination of four NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) (e.g., NCCIH, NIMHD) and reorganization of the remainder, for example, combining NINDS, NIDCR, and NEI to form the National Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research.  An indirect cost cap of 15%  On June 10,  NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to present the NIH’s FY 2026 budget request of $27.9 billion.  In short, Dr. Bhattacharya emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in science and advancing community-informed research. The $27.9 billion FY26 budget request prioritizes the prevention of chronic diseases, autism research, academic freedom, and the ethical use of AI in biomedical science. His call for transparency, innovation, and respectful scientific discourse underscores the importance of continued advocacy for robust NIH funding.  Watch here Congress passes a budget resolution, which sets overall spending caps for the year.  The  House and Senate Appropriations Committees  divide those caps among 12 subcommittees. The budget for NIH is handled by the  Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS)  subcommittee in both chambers. Each subcommittee writes a detailed appropriations bill, which goes through: Markup sessions (where the appropriations bill is amended), Full committee approval  Floor votes in the House and Senate. Funding discrepancies between the House and Senate versions are negotiated between the chambers to produce a final bill, which is then sent to the President for signature into law. If they cannot agree and the bill is NOT passed by September 30, Congress may enact a Continuing Resolution (CR), avoiding a government shutdown. If not, funding lapses and agencies, such as the NIH, face major disruptions. Where We Are Now & USASP’s Response  Currently, the House and Senate LHHS appropriations subcommittees are drafting their versions of the FY26 bill, which are expected to be marked up in late July or early September following the Congressional August recess. This is the most critical window for advocacy because it’s when funding decisions are being made.    This Spring, immediately following the 2025 USASP Meeting in Chicago, the USASP, US Pain Foundation, Chronic Pain Research Alliance (CPRA), and National Pain Advocacy Center (NPAC) formed a coalition, a Call-to-Action (CTA) committee, to advocate for NIH funding and the importance of pain research to members of Congress. In early June, the CTA committee organized a webinar, “Pain Research in Peril: Why Your Voice Matters & What You Can Do Now." [ Watch Here ] This is the first time USASP, as a young organization, has participated in an advocacy campaign. The purpose of this event was to educate researchers on the federal appropriations process and to request participation in a series of Virtual Capitol Hill visits with members of Congress who serve on key committees involved in the appropriations process.    At the same time, USASP led a  joint letter signed by 60 organizations  urging Congress to protect NIH’s pain research funding and sustain the HEAL Initiative comparable to FY 2025. The letter emphasized the urgent need for continued investment given proposed budget cuts and indirect cost caps, highlighting the widespread impact of chronic pain and the importance of preserving research infrastructure. The CTA also created a  one-pager  to share with members and staff of Congress, conveying the main messages and key asks from the pain research community.    Policy experts and people with lived experience of pain from the CPRA, NPAC, US Pain Foundation and pain researchers from USASP joined to conduct a series of upwards of 20 meetings with members of Congress in both the House and Senate. They highlighted key national statistics on chronic pain and NIH pain research, as well as the advances made in recent years. Additionally, they discussed the challenges faced by pain researchers across the US and in specific states as a result of recent NIH changes, and how NIH research funding drives innovation and supports early-career investigators. People with lived experience of pain shared their personal stories, highlighting why NIH research is so critical to creating a better future for themselves and millions of others. With the ultimate goal of improving the lives of people living with pain through the advancement of research, the meeting request to Congress was to protect the critical NIH pain research budget and HEAL Initiative earmark in FY26, as well as preserve the necessary NIH infrastructure to advance and coordinate pain research across NIH and HHS.     We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has participated and helped us advocate for continued robust NIH pain research funding.    When asked, “Would you recommend virtual advocacy to others?” Erin Young, PhD, at the University of Kansas Medical Center shared:    “Absolutely! It’s nerve-wracking and feels like something that ‘someone more qualified’ should be doing, but all USASP members are qualified experts with a powerful message to deliver. Congressional offices are tuned in to what is happening in their states and affecting their constituents, so use that leverage to get your message out.”   What’s Coming Next  Between now and mid-September, both the House and Senate Labor-HHS Subcommittees will release their markup bills for FY 2026. Once those drafts are released, we’ll have a clearer understanding of the funding levels proposed for NIH. When that happens, we may need to  mobilize fast . The following are some potential actions we may call on you to help us. We need additional participants for a last-minute  virtual Hill visit , We launch a  letter campaign  to target specific legislators, Or we need members to share stories or amplify key messages on social media within a short timeframe. Why This Matters If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice can make a difference in the halls of Congress, the answer is yes. When policymakers hear directly from researchers and clinicians, especially in partnership with people living with pain, with the same message, it personalizes the data. It reminds them what this funding is for and who is potentially impacted.    Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned professional, there's a place for you in this effort. Because science speaks loudest when we speak together.

USASP, Fibromyalgia Association sponsor call to action Ann Arbor, MI— August 6, 2025 — Pain research advocates will march on Wednesday, August 6  to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect research funding and infrastructure. Researchers, clinicians and people living with chronic pain will participate in the march beginning on Washington Street at the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. The march for Pain Research aims to bring awareness to the urgent need to maintain funding for pain research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that is critical for new treatments. Loss of NIH funding dollars and proposed changes to NIH infrastructure would be devastating to pain research across the U.S. and the U.S. biomedical research endeavor as whole. “Through research, we have made tremendous gains toward understanding chronic pain,” said Dan Clauw, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, Rheumatology, and Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, an organizer of the event. “This is no time to ease up on funding the critical research that will lead to improved treatments for pain.” The event is sponsored by the Fibromyalgia Association  and the U.S. Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) , the largest pain research organization in the country. The march builds on extensive research advocacy work by the USASP. For more information, visit the USASP’s Call to Action  page. This press release was provided by Stephani Sutherland

Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. Substance Use and Addiction Chair: Jennifer Nyland, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine Co-Chair: Antoinette Spector, University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee Learn more about these Chairs + The goal of the Substance use and Addiction SIG is to advance the understanding and treatment of substance use and pain. This will be accomplished by: 1) promoting and advancing research, 2) partnering with advocacy organizations to improve patient care, 3) providing education to researchers, clinicians, trainees, and patients, and 4) providing a forum for collaboration. 1) Research Grounded in the biopsychosocial model Spans the continuum of care from prevention to treatment and recovery Includes basic, clinical, and translational science Informs stakeholders of emerging science and evidence-based practices 2) Patient-Centered Care Engage patient and community perspectives across each pillar Reduce stigma and discrimination 3) Collaboration Connect individuals from a wide range of disciplines and across all career stages Partner with advocacy organizations to improve equitable access to quality substance use and chronic pain services News and Past Events You're all caught up! No new updates to display. Login to SIG Portal Annual Conference Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Login Menu‎ ‎ ↓ Annual Meeting Plenary Speakers Awards and Grants Symposia & Abstracts Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP Donate to USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Special Interest Groups Committees and Taskforces Contact Awards and Grants See All Awards Here USASP Fellows G.F. Gebhart Young Investigators Award USASP MAYDAY Award Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Membership Login Become a Member The Journal of Pain The Journal of Pain Explore the Journal Editorial Fellows Assistant Editors Wed, Oct 01 Voting for USASP Logo Open / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD https://www.usasp.org/logo Tue, Oct 07 Webinar hosted by the SBM Pain and Student SIGs: “Exploring Pain-related Post-graduate Paths: Internships, Postdocs, and / https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc Learn More https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc Sun, Oct 12 13th World Congress on Itch 2025 / Heidelberg Register Heidelberg, Czernyring 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany The congress will take place from October 12 to 14, 2025 at the Heidelberg Congress Center and is aimed at doctors, students and nurses. Wed, Oct 15 35th Annual American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) Conference / Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Register Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference , 13200 E 14th Pl, Aurora, CO 80011, USA Location: Aurora, CO Dates: October 15-18, 2025. "Climbing the Summit Toward Pain Management Excellence" Wed, Oct 15 2026 USASP Meeting Symposia Proposal Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission More information about the Call for Proposals will be released later this summer Fri, Oct 17 GCC Translational Pain Research Consortia #Pain2025 Workshop / https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pain2025-works Learn More https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pain2025-works The GCC Translational Pain Research Consortia invites you to register for our October 17 #Pain2025 workshop, focusing on Pain Resolution and Chronification. The event will occur via Zoom webinar from 1-2 p.m. (CDT). Registration is free. Fri, Oct 17 Deadline to Vote for USASP Logo / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Vote Here: https://www.usasp.org/logo Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. Complementary and Integrative Pain Management Chair: Richard Harris, University of Michigan Co-Chair: Norman Kettner, Logan University More details about this SIG will be available soon News and Past Events You're all caught up! No new updates to display. Login to SIG Portal Annual Conference Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Login Menu‎ ‎ ↓ Annual Meeting Plenary Speakers Awards and Grants Symposia & Abstracts Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP Donate to USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Special Interest Groups Committees and Taskforces Contact Awards and Grants See All Awards Here USASP Fellows G.F. Gebhart Young Investigators Award USASP MAYDAY Award Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Membership Login Become a Member The Journal of Pain The Journal of Pain Explore the Journal Editorial Fellows Assistant Editors Wed, Oct 01 Voting for USASP Logo Open / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD https://www.usasp.org/logo Tue, Oct 07 Webinar hosted by the SBM Pain and Student SIGs: “Exploring Pain-related Post-graduate Paths: Internships, Postdocs, and / https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc Learn More https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc Sun, Oct 12 13th World Congress on Itch 2025 / Heidelberg Register Heidelberg, Czernyring 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany The congress will take place from October 12 to 14, 2025 at the Heidelberg Congress Center and is aimed at doctors, students and nurses. Wed, Oct 15 35th Annual American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) Conference / Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Register Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference , 13200 E 14th Pl, Aurora, CO 80011, USA Location: Aurora, CO Dates: October 15-18, 2025. "Climbing the Summit Toward Pain Management Excellence" Wed, Oct 15 2026 USASP Meeting Symposia Proposal Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission More information about the Call for Proposals will be released later this summer Fri, Oct 17 GCC Translational Pain Research Consortia #Pain2025 Workshop / https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pain2025-works Learn More https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pain2025-works The GCC Translational Pain Research Consortia invites you to register for our October 17 #Pain2025 workshop, focusing on Pain Resolution and Chronification. The event will occur via Zoom webinar from 1-2 p.m. (CDT). Registration is free. Fri, Oct 17 Deadline to Vote for USASP Logo / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Vote Here: https://www.usasp.org/logo Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States. Call for Symposia Submit Your Proposal Here Submission Deadline October 15, 2025 (11:59 PM Eastern) Symposia should encompass topics related to clinical practice, basic science or mechanisms, and translational research related to pain. Guidelines for Proposals REQUIRED: Proposals must feature unique speakers who are not included in any other proposals (i.e., each speaker may only participate in one proposal). REQUIRED: Each speaker should represent a different institution (this does NOT include the moderator). Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate speaker diversity in one or more of the following areas: No more than 1 of 3 speakers has presented at a USASP conference in the last three years Multiple disciplines (clinical, translational, and basic science) Includes a person with lived experience of pain Various career stages (early, mid, and senior) Gender representation Speaker(s) from institutions that qualify for REAP or AREA funding (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/R15-Eligibility-Decision-Tree.pdf ) Representation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Representation from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Applications typically have 3 speakers. (if applicable) It is strongly recommended that the scientific content of the symposium be significantly different from that of a recent (last three years) USASP symposium in which one of the named speakers participated. It is important that you justify any deviations from the above criteria in your application so that the Scientific Program Committee can judge your application more fairly. Guidelines for Submission: The body of the abstract should be 300 words or less. If selected, the abstract will be used to market the session. Separately from the abstract, please include the following information on the submission form. Speaker names, titles, affiliations, titles of the presentations 2-3 learning objectives for each presentation Describe how much time you will devote to Q/A with audience participation and how you will engage the audience. Briefly describe in two to three sentences (no more) why your symposium should be included in the 2026 meeting. (if applicable) Briefly justify any deviations from the above criteria in your application so that the SPC can judge your application more fairly. Session Format: Symposia sessions will last about 80 minutes and are expected to be interactive between the presenters and attendees whenever possible. A moderator (can be identified from the presenters if appropriate) should be prepared with follow-up questions for the presenters and the audience in order to stimulate audience and presenter participation during the Q&A session.