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Previous meetings and webinars held nationwide to positively impact, and improve pain care. 'Ouch' Talking Pain with USASP Listen to USASPs past and present podcasts CALENDAR OF EVENTS Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. 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. Pediatric Pain Chair: Shreela Palit, Nemours Children's Health Co-Chair: Cecelia Nelson, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center Co-Chair: Robert Gibler, University of Kansas Medical Center Bring together diverse perspectives on pediatric pain science to directly improve both acute and chronic pain management for children through research, advocacy, and education. We value collaboration among key stakeholders and partnership with both international and U.S. based societies. We are committed to advancing evidence-based clinical practices and to equip scientists and clinicians to advance pediatric pain science through research and collaboration Upcoming SIG meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 12pm PST/2pm CST. Email eileen.conroy@usasp.org to register! News and Past Events Dear Pediatric SIG Members, As you know, the submission deadline for symposia proposals is October 15, 2025 (11:59 PM ET). We would love to see the Pediatric SIG’s expertise and collaboration represented at the 2026 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia (March 24–26, 2026). This is a great opportunity to highlight the important advances in pediatric pain research, clinical practice, and translational science. We strongly encourage members of the Pediatric SIG to come together to submit one or more symposia proposals that showcase the breadth and depth of our field. This is an excellent chance for our SIG to lead a session that emphasizes the impact of pediatric perspectives on pain science and practice. Please consider collaborating with colleagues to develop a submission. The full guidelines and submission portal can be found here . Thank you for your contributions and commitment to advancing pediatric pain research and care. We look forward to seeing your ideas represented in Philadelphia! Sincerely Shreela Palit Cecelia Nelson Robert Gibler Login to SIG Portal Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Support our Annual Meetings and beyond Sponsors EXHIBITOR PACKAGE Sponsor participation allows us to bring together researchers, clinicians, advocates, and leaders into partnerships that don’t just showcase data but help move the needle when it comes to understanding and ultimately reducing the burden of chronic pain in the United States. University of Michigan Heal K12 Diamond University of Michigan Heal K12 Platinum University of Michigan Heal K12 Gold University of Michigan Heal K12 Silver Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Seize the opportunity to present your research and secure funding to present your innovations at our annual meeting. USASP Travel Awards Seize the opportunity to present your research and secure funding to present your innovations at our annual meeting. Apply for the travel award when you submit your poster abstracts. APPLY HERE About the Award For this award, a Trainee / Young Investigator is an individual who has not yet completed their terminal education/training (MD/DO, PhD, RN); OR an Individual that has completed their terminal degree within the last 5 years AND is continuing their training (e.g., clinical or research fellowship). A limited number of travel awards are available to assist Trainee / Young Investigators attending the conference in order to present their research in the form of poster presentations by helping to offset expenses related to conference attendance. The Scientific Program Committee will select individuals to either receive either; Full Travel Award that will cover registration, up to 3 nights stay (double occupancy with another awardee), and travel reimbursements (airfare, mileage, and ground transportation). Partial Travel Award which will cover registration. All reimbursements will be issued following the meeting and upon receipt of the USASP Reimbursement Form, which requires copies of receipts. Eligibility Scholarships are limited to applicants who meet ALL of the following criteria: Applicant must be a trainee/young investigator (i.e., enrolled in an education/training program, or are still in training if they completed their terminal degree within the last 5 years (e.g., a postdoctoral fellow)) Must be listed as a first author on a research abstract accepted for poster presentation at the conference Only one travel award will be awarded per research abstract/ poster. The Scientific Program Committee will assess applications on the apparent quality, novelty and potential impact of the abstract submitted, diversity, and financial need. In order to determine financial need, applicants will be asked to report potential sources of funding for their travel should they not be selected for the Travel Award. This report should include sources of funding including their own grants, their mentor’s/PI’s grants, other institutional support (i.e. T32 travel assistance), and other sources of support. To determine diversity, applicants will answer questions during the application form that address demographic attributes including: gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and the NIH criteria for an individual from a disadvantaged background . Detailed Submission Guidelines Submit the following materials in the Final Section of your poster abstract submission. Cover letter describing your career stage, why you are applying for this award and your commitment to pain research. Curriculum Vitae listing your previous research presentations and publications related to pain research You should receive a confirmation email after you submit your poster abstract. This email will also include a link to allow you to edit your submission if you need it. Key Dates and Deadlines To apply you will submit you materials as part of your poster abstract submission, due Friday, December 5th, 2025 . Awardees will be notified by Friday, January 30th 2026 . If you are applying for the travel award please hold off on registering. Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

The terms and conditions under which the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) operates. Terms and Conditions Effective Date: September 26th, 2024 ABOUT US Welcome to the website of the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP). By accessing or using our website (www.usasp.org ), you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read these Terms carefully before using our website. If you do not agree to these terms, you should not use the website. 1. Acceptance of Terms By accessing, browsing, or using the USASP website, you accept and agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions, as well as our Privacy Policy. These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the website. 2. Eligibility The USASP website is intended for use by individuals aged 18 years or older. By using this website, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age or have received parental consent, and that you have the legal capacity to agree to these terms. 3. Use of the Website You may use the USASP website for lawful purposes only. You agree not to: Use the website in any way that violates any applicable laws or regulations. Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the website, server, or other systems. Post, upload, or transmit any harmful or malicious content. Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, or exploit any portion of the website without our express written permission. 4. Account Registration If you create an account on the USASP website, you agree to: Provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process. Maintain the security of your password and account information. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. You are responsible for any activity that occurs through your account. 5. Intellectual Property Rights All content on the USASP website, including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, and other materials, is owned by or licensed to USASP. This content is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You may not use any content from the website without express written permission from USASP, except for personal, non-commercial use. 6. User-Generated Content By submitting or posting content to the USASP website (e.g., comments, feedback, testimonials), you grant USASP a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, distribute, and display that content in connection with the website and our services. 7. Prohibited Activities You are prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities: Uploading or transmitting viruses or malicious software. Engaging in unauthorized scraping or data mining. Using the website to violate any intellectual property rights. Sending spam or unsolicited communications through the website. 8. Termination We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the website at any time, without notice, for violating these Terms and Conditions or for any other reason. 9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability USASP provides the website on an "as-is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied, regarding the website’s operation or the information, content, or materials included on it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, USASP disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. USASP will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this website, including direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages. 10. Governing Law These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. 11. Privacy This privacy notice for USASP describes how and why we might collect, store, use, and/or share your information when you use our services, such as when you: Visit our website at www.usasp.org , or any website of ours that links to this privacy notice Download and use our application(s), such as—LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or any other application of ours that links to this privacy notice Engage with us in other related ways ― including any sales, marketing, or events Questions or concerns? Reading this privacy notice will help you understand your privacy rights and choices. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact us at admin@usasp.org . 12. Amendments USASP reserves the right to modify or update these Terms and Conditions at any time, and any such changes will be posted on this page. Your continued use of the website after changes are made will constitute acceptance of the revised terms. 13. Contact Information If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at admin@usasp.org . Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States. G.F. Gebhart Journal of Pain Young Investigators Award Presented annually to a young investigator whose work, published in the Journal of Pain, demonstrates innovation and a significant impact on advancing our understanding of pain mechanisms. APPLY HERE DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDELINES DETAILED APPLICATION PROCESS Previous Winners Open to early-career researchers who have made significant contributions to pain science and are actively engaged in advancing the field. Applicants must meet specific membership and authorship criteria, as well as be within a defined timeframe of completing their academic or professional training. This award highlights the achievements of emerging leaders whose research, published in The Journal of Pain, pushes the boundaries of pain research and clinical understanding. Key Dates and Deadlines Applications for the G.F. Gebhart Journal of Pain Young Investigators Award will be open early 2026. Detailed Application Process In 2017, an annual award was created to honor young investigators, The G.F. Gebhart Journal of Pain Young Investigator Award. This award is given on an annual basis, and involves a $1000 travel scholarship to attend the USASP Scientific Meeting. Applicant must be a member of the USASP . Applicant must be first author on a manuscript in The Journal of Pain that has been published in the award year (Manuscripts in press are not eligible). Applicant must be within five years of receiving their advanced degree or within five years of concluding their training, including any residency or postdoctoral training, whichever is later. Applications should be sent to the Editorial Office and include: A brief cover letter (1 page max) that includes the title of your accepted manuscript and a description of its impact on the pain field. Your Curriculum Vitae. 2024 Trevor Lentz, PT, PhD, MPH Duke University Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of Integrated Musculoskeletal Pain Management Programs: A Multi-Stakeholder Qualitative Study The Journal of Pain Vol 24, Issue 5: 860−873 VIEW THE FULL ARTICLE 2023 Chung Jung Mun, PhD Arizona State University Real-time monitoring of cannabis and prescription opioid co-use patterns, analgesic effectiveness, and the opioid-sparing effect of cannabis in individuals with chronic pain The Journal of Pain Vol. 23, Issue 11: 1799–1810 VIEW FULL ARTICLE 2022 Calia Morais, PhD University of Alabama The Effect of Literacy-Adapted Psychosocial Treatments on Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Pain Conceptualization The Journal of Pain Vol. 22, Issue 11: 1396-1407 VIEW FULL ARTICLE 2020 James S. Khan, MSc MD FRCPC University of Toronto Perioperative pregabalin and intraoperative lidocaine infusion to reduce persistent neuropathic pain after breast cancer surgery: A multicenter, factorial, randomized, controlled pilot trial. The Journal of Pain Vol 20, Issue 8: 980-993 VIEW FULL ARTICLE Previous Winners Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Get in touch regarding membership, our annual meeting, or any of our other educational initiatives. Contact Us Explore our Event Calendar Please take a moment to read our disclaimer before contacting us or accessing our Data Request Form . First Name* Last Name Email* How can we direct your inquiry? Please provide us with a few details.* Submit * Our platform serves as a supplementary resource and is not a replacement for the personalized care and expertise provided by a physician or healthcare provider. The information presented on this website is intended solely for general informational purposes and should not be construed as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or pain management. We strongly advocate seeking individualized advice from healthcare professionals tailored to your specific health needs. For more information please review our Terms and Conditions Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Upcoming Event Calendar

Two meritorious candidates will be awarded. USASP-MAYDAY Clinical/Translational Research Award Two meritorious candidates will be awarded $50,000 for one year with the potential for a no-cost extension for a second year. APPLY HERE VISIT THE MAYDAY FUND DETAILED APPLICATION PROCESS Previous Winners Key Dates and Deadlines Applications for the 2026 USASP-MAYDAY Clinical/Translational Research Award will be accepted until January 15th, 2026. Note: The office will contact the writers of your letters of support not included in the application. Please let your letter writers know they should be prepared to submit these letters by January 20th, 2026. The award cycle begins July 1st, 2026. Eligible candidates will be a member of USASP. Eligible candidates will be an early career investigator within four years of their faculty appointment, except those who have received tenure at the time of the application. Eligible candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the field of pain research and they must conduct their research and be appointed at an institution in the United States or Canada. Research Topics Competitive research proposals address clinical/ translational research related to the management of pain. Applicants should describe the proposed research in pain and describe how it is innovative and cutting edge. In addition, the applicant should describe their vision for a career in pain research and provide information or any examples of leadership in pain-related activities. Detailed Application Process A signature page signed by the Applicant/PI and the Institutional Official responsible for submitting applications for extramural support. An abstract (no more than 3,000 characters/300 words). A Personal Statement summarizing the candidate's vision for their career and their contributions as a leader in the field of pain research (no more than 3,000 characters/300 words). An NIH Biosketch (click here to access current template(s) ). A list of current and pending research support from all sources, as well as clarification as to whether there is any overlap between projects funded/submitted elsewhere and the current proposal (overlap should be avoided). A Research Proposal that is no more than 6 pages, with no less than 11-point Arial font and 0.5-inch margins. A timeline for completion of the project is required. Applicants may include a 7th page for references. An Environment section that is no more than 2 pages that describes subject populations, collaborative arrangements, institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigator for the proposed research One page describing the Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan: How the proposed research will include (or exclude) individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults). Budget requests should not exceed $50,000. The budget should include a detailed request and justification for all study-related expenses. This grant does not allow indirect costs. Three letters supporting the candidate’s application; names and addresses (including email) of these individuals should be included in the application. Only one letter will be included in the application and USASP will solicit two letters: One letter appended to the application from the candidate’s Department Chair or Division Chief that demonstrates strong support for the candidate’s proposed research and career development (start-up funds, lab space, and a tenure-track position), and the acknowledgment that other sources of funds will cover indirect costs associated with this grant. Name, mailing address, and email addresses for two individuals: the candidate’s post-doctoral advisor (or influential advisor) and/or mentor(s) who have impacted the candidate’s research. When completing the application, candidates will provide email contact information for two individuals. Once your application is submitted, these individuals will be contacted by a representative of USASP about the submission process for these letters. Completing The Application, Step-By-Step Guide Application Submission Details Please name the document that you will upload using the following example given: "John Doe - USASP MAYDAY 2026". Next, you will be prompted to write down the title of your intended research project. Finally, you will be asked to answer questions regarding your eligibility for the USASP-MAYDAY Award. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Lead Institution The applicant should complete the requested information regarding their primary/lead institution. These details will involve the lead institution's name, address, phone number, and fax number. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Organization Assurances The applicant should complete the requested information regarding their proposed research project. These details will involve the type of research your project involves and/or approval status. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Letters of Support Completed applications will require three letters of support. These must include one letter from the candidate’s Department Chair/Division Chief that demonstrates strong support for the candidate’s proposed research and career development. The other two letters should come from the candidate’s Ph.D./fellowship advisor, influential advisor, or mentor who has impacted the candidate’s research. In this section, the applicant will provide contact information pertaining to each of the letter providers. Upon submission, these two individuals listed to provide letters of support will be contacted directly by a representative of USASP requesting that their letters be sent by Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Attachments The Applicant will upload all required documents as a single PDF in the following order: 1) Signed Signature pages, 2) Abstract, 3) Leadership/vision statement, 4) NIH Biosketch, 5) Research proposal narrative, 6) Letter of support from the Department Chair/Division Chief, 7) Summary of Current and Pending Funding Signed Signature Pages All applications must be signed by the Applicant/PI and the Institutional Official responsible for submitting applications for extramural support. The signature page may either be printed out, signed and scanned, or electronic signatures may be used on the PDF. Abstract The abstract should be limited to 300 words or up to 3,000 characters. Applicants are advised to check spelling, word, and character count before pasting their abstract within this section. Leadership in Pain Research The applicant will provide a personal statement detailing his/her vision for a career in pain research and provide information and/or examples of leadership in pain-related activities. The statement should be limited to 300 words or up to 3,000 characters. NIH Biosketch The applicant will provide an NIH Biosketch that should be no more than 5 pages long. Research Proposal Narrative The applicant will append a research proposal narrative that is limited to six pages in 11-point Arial font and 0.5-inch margins. A 7th page may be included for references. Letter of Support from a Department Chair/Division Chief Completed applications will require one letter from the candidate’s Department Chair/Division Chief demonstrating strong support for the candidate’s proposed research and career development. Research Support The applicant will provide information about all current and pending research support. The research plan should include something other than a project already funded or for consideration for funding elsewhere. Suppose the applicant has received or has pending research support. Summary It is necessary for applicants to review their completed application in this section. The summary function is a way to ensure that all of the required application fields are completed and accurate. Please review all questions and inputs before submitting. Submit The Applicant/PI can submit their completed application in this section. Applications with missing sections, that do not meet eligibility requirements, or do not adhere to the application instructions, including required formats (font size and page lengths) and use of signature pages, are considered ineligible. Assistance with Applications For technical support (including questions about trouble logging in and technical issues completing an application) or questions regarding eligibility, please contact us . Previous Winners 2025 Larissa Strath, PhD University of Florida Characterizations of Metabolism in Pain Chiyoung Lee, PhD University of Arizona Dual-Site Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Comprehensive Pain Relief in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Experiencing Widespread Pain 2024 Fenan Rassu Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Place-based Disparities in Pain Care Hong Chen The Ohio State University Pilot of Autonomic Dysfunction and Multisystem TMD in First Year College Students 2023 Hadas Nahman Averbuch Washington University Peripheral and Central Mechanisms of Endometriosis Pain in Adolescents Jie Chen Florida State University Gut-Brain Axis and Meditation for Older Adults with Low Back Pain and Depression Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Celebrating exceptional contributions to the realm of pain research and clinical practice. Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Award Celebrating exceptional contributions to the realm of pain research and clinical practice. It is with great honor that their outstanding achievements are recognized. NOMINATE HERE Previous Winners Key Dates and Deadlines The deadline for nominations for the Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Award has been EXTENDED to November 5th, 2025 with the award ceremony being held during the 2026 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting.. Eligibility The nominee should: Have a minimum of 25 years, following the completion of their terminal degree, in active engagement and demonstrated leadership in the field of pain research, clinical practice, or related disciplines. Showcase substantial contributions to the advancement of pain science, which may include, but are not limited to: Pioneering research in pain mechanisms, treatments, or therapies. Development or implementation of innovative approaches in pain management. Exceptional clinical care, advocacy, or educational efforts that have significantly influenced the field. Publication of influential research papers, books, or scholarly works related to pain. This recognition honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of pain research and clinical practice. Their work reflects a deep commitment to improving understanding treatment and quality of life for those affected by pain. It is with great respect and appreciation that we acknowledge their achievements and the lasting impact they continue to make within the pain community. Their dedication inspires progress and strengthens the foundation of our field. Detailed Nomination Process To nominate an individual for the Lifetime Achievement Award, the nominator must submit the following in a letter: Nominee's name, affiliation, and contact information. A detailed statement outlining the nominee's contributions to the field, highlighting their significant achievements and impact, and why they should be considered for the award. Applications must be submitted to Dr. Brittany Knight at admin@usasp.org with the header “USASP Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination.” 2025 Clifford J. Woolf, M.B., B.Ch., Ph.D Woolf Laboratory Clifford J. Woolf, M.B., B.Ch., Ph.D. is a renowned neurobiologist and professor of neurology and neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, and director of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children’s Hospital . Born in South Africa, he earned his M.B., B.Ch., and Ph.D. from the University of the Witwatersrand before moving to London in 1979 to join University College. Dr. Woolf’s groundbreaking research unveiled central sensitization—a phenomenon whereby nerve injury heightens spinal cord neuron excitability via NMDA receptors, leading to pain amplification. He also pioneered the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain and advanced understanding of neuro‑immune mediators in inflammatory pain. In 1997, he shifted to the U.S., becoming the first Richard J. Kitz Professor of Anesthesiology Research at HMS before taking his current leadership roles. A mentor and visionary, he champions the use of human stem‑cell‑derived neurons for modeling pain and other neurological conditions. His accolades include the Gill Distinguished Scientist Award, Reeve‑Irvine Medal, Kerr Award, and honorary fellowships from leading societies, and he serves on key NIH advisory boards. 2024 Jane C. Ballantyne, MD, FRCA View Profile John Loeser, MD View Profile Throughout their illustrious career, Dr. Loeser and Dr. Ballantyne's commitment to advancing understanding and treatment of pain has been truly remarkable. Their unwavering dedication, leadership, and innovative approaches have paved the way for significant progress in the field. Their pioneering research, innovative methods in pain management, and exemplary clinical care have touched countless individuals' lives, leaving an enduring impact on the landscape of pain treatment. Their extensive body of work reflects a steadfast pursuit of excellence and tireless efforts to enhance patient outcomes. They have served as an inspiration and mentor to numerous professionals within the community, solidifying their legacy as a preeminent leader in the field of pain research and clinical practice. Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

The Financial Conflict of Interest under which the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) operates. Financial Conflict of Interest Effective Date: September 26th, 2024 ABOUT US Description: All USASP members and non-members have the responsibility to disclose financial conflicts of interest (FCOI) when presenting as a speaker at any USASP-sponsored events (hereinafter the “Speakers”) or participating in USASP leadership activities (e.g., member of the Board of Directors, member of a committee or task force) and/or acting as key personnel in USASP-sponsored activity (hereinafter the “Leaders”). Purpose/Rationale: To promote objectivity by establishing standards that preserve the integrity of leadership, decision making, and activity; protect the rights and safety of activity subjects; and prevent bias. Applicability: For purposes of financial disclosure only, this regulation also covers the spouse and dependent children of Speakers and Leaders. Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with this policy may lead to disciplinary or corrective action including but not limited to removal from leadership or other USASP activities, and any other remedies that may be legally available. Employee and Member Responsibility: Any USASP employee or member who is acting as a Speaker or Leader must disclose to the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president) any significant financial interest (and those of the individual’s spouse and dependent children) no later than the date of the USASP-related work using the FCOI form provided by the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or board president). Annual disclosures of significant financial interest (and those of each individual’s spouse and dependent children) must be made no later than April 15, 2022, and every year thereafter, using the prescribed FCOI form. Annual FCOI reports submitted to the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president) shall include any information that was not previously disclosed. Within 30 days of discovering or acquiring a significant financial interest, any USASP employee or member who is acting as a Speaker or Leader shall submit an updated FCOI form to the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president). Institution Responsibility: USASP shall update and enforce this written policy in accordance with 42 CFR 50, Subpart F and will make the policy and applicable federal regulations available on the association’s website. USASP will inform each Speaker and Leader about the following: Information about this policy and the corresponding federal regulations; Responsibility to disclose any significant financial interest to the USASP- FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president); Mandatory FCOI training requirements include: Completion of FCOI training every four years; Completion of the NIH training module OR a similar FCOI module required by the individual’s primary institution of higher education, provided the institution meets the definition provided in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), will be required. Submission of the FCOI form to the USASP office serves as the individual’s certification that training has been completed as required. Additional training when USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president) finds that a Speaker or Leader is not in compliance with this policy or a prescribed management plan; and Updated information on any revisions to this policy that affects the responsibilities of Speakers and Leaders to report FCOI. If USASP subcontracts elements of a PHS-funded activity to an outside entity, each subrecipient investigator or key personnel shall be required to comply with this policy or provide documentation that the subrecipient institution is in compliance with 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart F. A written agreement with the subrecipient must identify whether the subrecipient investigator and key personnel will comply with the FCOI provisions of the subrecipient institution or USASP; If the subrecipient will comply with his or her institutional FCOI policy, the written agreement must specify that any FCOI disclosures reported to the subrecipient’s institution must be reported to the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president) within 30 days. USASP will report subrecipient significant financial interest to the PHS prior to the expenditure of any funds or within 60 days of receiving subrecipient disclosure of significant financial interest. USASP will identify an official to seek and review disclosures of significant financial interest. This official will serve as the USASP-FCOI Officer (USASP’s program coordinator or Board president). All records relating to disclosures of financial interest, including any review and actions taken by USASP, will be maintained by the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee for a period of at least five years. In the case of disclosures relevant to a PHS grant, records will be maintained at least five years from the date the final grant expenditure report is submitted to the PHS. The USASP shall certify in each application for PHS-funded activities that it: Has in effect a financial conflict of interest policy for all PHS-funded activities; Shall promote and enforce compliance with this policy; Shall manage financial conflicts of interest and provide initial and ongoing reports to the organizational unit of the PHS that funds the activity; and Agrees to make information promptly available to PHS relating to the disclosure and review of any financial conflict of interest. Reviewing Disclosures: Within 60 days of receipt of a significant financial disclosure, the USASP-FCOI Officer shall review the report to determine whether each significant financial interest is related to USASP-funded activities, and if so, whether the significant financial interest is a financial conflict of interest. A significant financial interest is related to any PHS-funded activity if the significant financial interest: could be affected by the PHS-funded activity; is in an entity whose financial interest could be affected by the activity; or could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of the PHS-funded activity. In reviewing a disclosure, the USASP-FCOI Officer may seek additional information from the individual in determining whether the disclosure is a significant financial interest that relates to the PHS-funded activity. If the USASP-FCOI Officer determines that a significant financial interest exists that is related to the USASP activity, the Officer shall identify actions, if any, that must be taken by the individual to manage the financial conflict of interest. Actions to manage the financial conflict of interest may include but are not limited to: Public disclosure of the financial conflict of interest when presenting at an activity; Informing activity participants directly about the financial conflict of interest; Appointment of an independent monitor that is capable of taking appropriate measures to protect the activity against bias resulting from the financial conflict of interest; Modifying the activity; Changing the individual in all or part of the activity; Disqualifying individuals from participating in the activity; vii. Reducing or eliminating the financial interest; or Severing relationships that create the financial conflict. The actions required to manage the financial conflict of interest shall be identified in a management plan and compliance with the management plan shall be monitored by the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee on an ongoing basis until completion of the activity. Depending on the nature of the significant financial interest, the USASP- FCOI Officer may determine that additional interim measures are necessary with regard to the individual’s participation in activities between the date of disclosure and the completion of the USASP-FCOI Officer review If the USASP-FCOI Officer identifies that a significant financial interest exists that was either not disclosed or not disclosed in a timely manner by a Speaker or Leader, the USASP-FCOI Officer shall follow the same procedures as outlined in this section. If a financial conflict of interest is not identified or managed in a timely manner including failure by a Speaker or Leader to report a significant financial interest that constitutes a FCOI, failure of USASP to review or manage a FCOI, or failure by the Speaker or Leader to comply with a management plan, the USASP-FCOI Officer shall: Within 120 days, complete a retrospective review of the individual’s activities to determine whether the work conducted during the time period of the noncompliance was biased in design, conduct or reporting of such work. In the case of PHS funded activities, the retrospective review will be documented and include the following elements: Project number; Project title; Name(s) of project director or principal investigator; Name of the investigator or key personnel with the FCOI; Name of the entity with which the investigator or key personnel has a FCOI; Reason(s) for the retrospective review; Detailed methodology of the review process, composition of the review panel and the documents reviewed; Findings of the review; and ix. Conclusions of the review. Based on the findings of the retrospective review, if appropriate, the USASP-FCOI Officer shall update any previously submitted FCOI reports, specifying actions taken to manage the FCOI. In the case of PHS funded activities and if the retrospective review determines that the activity was biased, the USASP-FCOI Officer will promptly notify the PHS organizational unit that funds the activity and submit a mitigation report. The mitigation report will include, but is not limited to, the following information: All information described in (3)(f)(B); A description of the impact of the bias on the activity; USASP’s plan of action or actions taken to eliminate or mitigate the effects of the bias. Such a plan may include requesting an addendum to previously published presentations. Reporting FCOI to DHHS, Public Health Service The USASP-FCOI Officer or designee shall provide initial and ongoing financial conflict of interest reports to the DHHS, PHS. Reports shall be issued no less than once per year for the duration of the project period. The annual report for FCOI previously reported where the activity is an ongoing PHS-funded activity shall address the status of the FCOI and any changes to the management plan for the duration of the project. The annual report shall also specify whether the FCOI is still being managed or explain why the FCOI no longer exists. Prior to the expenditure of any funds under a PHS-funded activity, the USASP-FCOI Officer shall provide the organizational unit of the PHS that funds the activity an FCOI report regarding any investigator’s or key personnel’s significant financial interest determined to be conflicting and that includes information about the management plan. In the event that USASP identifies a FCOI and eliminates it prior to expending any PHS funds, the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee shall not submit an FCOI report to the PHS. Remedies Subsequent to any initial FCOI reports during an ongoing PHS-funded activity, any new disclosures that are determined conflicting shall be reported within 60 days to the PHS in accordance with section (3). FCOI reports submitted to the organization unit of the PHS that funds the activity shall include sufficient information to allow the PHS to understand the nature and extent of the FCOI and assess the appropriateness of USASP’s management plan. Information in the report shall include, but not limited to, the following; Project number; Investigator or key personnel contact; Name of investigator or key personnel with the financial conflict; D. Name of the entity with which the individual has the conflict; Nature of the financial interest; Value of the financial interest; Description of how the financial interest relates to the PHS-funded activity and basis for the determination that the financial interest conflicts with the activity; Description of the key elements of the management plan including: Role and principal duties of the conflicted investigator or key personnel; Conditions of the management plan; How the management plan is designed to safeguard objectivity in the activity; Confirmation of the Investigator’s agreement to the management plan; v. How the management plan is monitored to ensure compliance; and Additional information as needed. If a Speaker or Leader fails to comply with this policy or a FCOI management plan appears to have biased an activity, the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee shall promptly notify the Board of Directors of the USASP for consideration. In the case of a PHS-funded activity and if a Speaker or Leader fails to comply with this policy or a FCOI management plan appears to have biased an activity, the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee shall promptly notify the organizational unit of the PHS that funds the activity about any corrective action taken or to be taken. The PHS will consider the information submitted and may require or recommend additional action. USASP will submit, or permit on site review, all records pertinent to the review of a financial disclosure or FCOI to the PHS. The PHS may determine on the basis of any review that the FCOI will bias the objectivity of the activity to such an extent that further corrective action is needed. This may include the imposition of special award conditions or suspension of funding or other enforcement action. Public Accessibility to FCOI Information Prior to the expenditure of any funds under a PHS-funded activity, the USASP-FCOI Officer or designee must respond in writing within five days to a requestor for information concerning any significant financial interest disclosures that meet the following criteria: Any significant financial interest disclosed and is still held by the investigator or key personnel; The significant financial interest was determined to be related to the PHS- funded activity and The significant financial interest was determined to be an FCOI. b. The information released to the requestor must include the following: Investigator or key personnel name and title; The role of the investigator or key personnel in the activity; The name of the entity in which the significant financial interest is held; and The nature of the significant financial interest and the approximate dollar range of the significant financial interest; or A statement that the value cannot be readily determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures. The written response will note that the information provided is current as of the date of the correspondence, that FCOI information is updated biannually or within 60 days of identification of a new FCOI. Requestor would have to make subsequent request to receive information. USASP may choose to post FCOI disclosures on its website and if posted will update information every six months. Additional financial interest not previously disclosed or disclosure of financial interest of an investigator or key personnel new to a PHS-funded activity where the USASP-FCOI Officer has determined that the updated information relates to the PHS funded activity and is considered a FCOI, will be posted to the web within 60 days. If information is posted on the website, the web page will note that the information provided is current as of the date listed and is subject to updates within 60 days of receiving updated information or on a biannual basis. Information concerning significant financial interests that meet the criteria in (5)(b) shall remain available for public information requests for at least three years from the date that the information was most recently updated. Form(s) that apply: Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure Definition(s): Disclosure of significant financial interests: A Speaker or Leader’s disclosure of significant financial interests. Financial conflict of interest (FCOI): A significant financial interest that could directly and significantly affect the professional duties or responsibilities of a Speaker or Leader, including the design, conduct, or reporting of research or presentation of educational material. FCOI report: An institution’s report of a financial conflict of interest; for example, to an organization unit of the PHS that funds an activity. Financial interest: Anything of monetary value, whether or not the value is readily ascertainable. Institutional responsibilities: Investigator’s professional responsibilities on behalf of the Institution which may include for example: activities such as research, research consultation, teaching, professional practice, institutional committee memberships, or service on panels such as Institutional Review Boards or Data and Safety Monitoring Boards. Leader: An individual participating in USASP leadership activities (member of the Board of Directors, member of a committee or task force). Investigator: The project director or principal investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position who is responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of activities funded by the PHS, or proposed for funding. The investigator may include collaborators or consultants. Manage: Taking action to address a FCOI, which can include reducing or eliminating the financial conflict of interest, to ensure, to the extent possible, that the design, conduct, and reporting of research and other professional activities will be free from bias. PHS: The Public Health Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and any components of the PHS to which the authority involved may be delegated, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Activity: A systematic investigation, study or experiment designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge relating broadly to public health, including behavioral and social sciences investigations. The term encompasses basic and applied resarch (e.g., a published article, book or book chapter), product development (e.g., a diagnostic test or drug), and the production of educational material (e.g., literature overview or review or presentation of treatment approaches). Speaker: A speaker at a USASP-sponsored event. Key personnel: The Investigator(s) and any other person identified as senior or key personnel by the Institution in the grant application, progress report, or any other report submitted to the PHS by the Institution. Significant financial interest (SFI): A financial interest consisting of one or more of the following interests of the individual (or those of the individual’s spouse and dependent children) that reasonably appears to be related to the individual’s institutional responsibilities: With regard to any publicly-traded entity, an SFI exists if the value of any remuneration received from the entity in the twelve months preceding the disclosure, when combined with the value of any equity interest in the entity at the time of the disclosure, exceeds $5,000. For purposes of this definition, remuneration includes salary and any payment for services not otherwise identified as salary (e.g., consulting fees, honoraria, paid authorship); equity interest includes any stock, stock option, or other ownership interest, as determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value; With regard to any non-publicly traded entity, an SFI exists if the value of any remuneration received from the entity in the twelve months preceding the disclosure, when aggregated, exceeds $5,000, or when a Speaker or Leader (or their spouse and dependent children) holds any equity interest (e.g., stock, stock option, or other ownership interest); or Intellectual property rights and interests (e.g., patents, copyrights), upon receipt of income related to such rights and interests. In addition to disclosures identified in (1), individuals must also disclose the occurrence of any reimbursed or sponsored travel (that which is paid on behalf of the Speaker or Leader or Key Personnel and not reimbursed to the individual so that the exact monetary value may not be readily available) related to their institutional responsibilities. Travel disclosure is not required if the travel is reimbursed or sponsored by a federal, state, or local government agency, an institution of higher education, an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or an institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education. The following travel details are required: Purpose of trip; Name of sponsor/organizer; Destination (city and state or country if outside the U.S.); Duration of trip; and Total cost of trip including lodging; registration; fare for mode of travel (air, train, car, etc); per diem and any other miscellaneous expenses. Significant financial interest does not include: Salary, royalties, or other remuneration paid by the institution to the Speaker, Leader or key personnel if the individual is currently employed or otherwise appointed by the institution. This includes intellectual property rights assigned to the institution and agreements to share in royalties related to such rights; Salary, royalties, or other remuneration paid for any ownership interest in the institution held by the Speaker or Leader or key personnel if the institution is a commercial or for-profit organization; Income from investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and retirement accounts, as long as the Speaker or Leader does not directly control the investment decisions made in these vehicles; Income from seminars, lectures, or teaching engagements sponsored by a federal, state, or local government agency; an institution of higher education; an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or an institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education; o Income from service on advisory committees or review panels for a federal, state, or local government agency; an institution of higher education; an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or an institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education. Subrecipient: An organization or individual that participates in an activity with the awardee Institution (e.g. subcontractors or consortium members). Reference(s): 42 CFR 50 – Policies of General Applicability 45 CFR 94 – Responsible Prospective Contractors DHS/OHA Policy: Conflict of Interest Contact(s): Name: Jennifer Haythornthwaite Phone: (443) 858-2811; Email:admin@usasp.org Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Donate to initiatives from the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP), which represents the interests of pain professionals, scientists, and policymakers. Positively Impacting People in Pain Your support intensifies our ability to fund research, build connections through our educational events, and provide resources that contribute to groundbreaking advancements in pain science. USASP is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID 84-4008678. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Make a General Donation Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing pain. DONATE Donate to the 2025 Travel Award Fund Your donation will help us to support trainees, with a goal of funding 10 additional trainees, to attend the upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting. DONATE Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Awarded annually to early-career investigators pursuing innovative research that focuses on basic science mechanisms of pain. The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain The Foundation has awarded annually two grants or more in the amount of $150,000 over three years to early-career investigators pursuing innovative research that focuses on basic science mechanisms of pain. Applications for the 2026 Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain will close on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. APPLY HERE DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDELINES DETAILED APPLICATION PROCESS Previous Winners Key Dates and Deadlines Completed applications must be submitted by December 10th, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET . All remaining letters of support should be submitted by December 15th, 2025. Grant awards will be announced in the summer of 2026. Grant funds will be awarded upon satisfactory execution of a grant agreement between the Rita Allen Foundation and the grant recipient’s institution. Eligibility To be eligible for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain, the applicant must: Have received committed start-up funds and independent laboratory space from their institution. (This information must be clearly indicated in the Department Chair/Division Chief’s letter of support for the candidate.) Be within three years of the start date of a tenure track position or equivalent (senior postdocs and associate professors are not eligible.)* Conduct their research and be appointed at an institution in the United States or Canada. Demonstrate a commitment to the field of pain research. Since 2009, the Rita Allen Foundation has provided a special award for early-career leaders in basic pain research whose work holds high potential for uncovering new pathways to improve the treatment of chronic pain. The Foundation has awarded annually two grants or more in the amount of $150,000 over three years to early-career investigators pursuing innovative research that focuses on basic science mechanisms of pain. Eligible candidates will have completed their training and provided persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in basic research in pain. Candidates should be in the early stages of their career with an appointment at the faculty level. Research Topics Proposed research projects should be directed toward investigating the molecular biology of pain and/or basic science topics related to developing new analgesics for managing pain. The entire award is made available to projects specifically chosen by the recipient; university overhead is not supported. Detailed Application Process Applicant/PI Profile Information All applicants will have to fill out each question accordingly. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Application Submission Details Please name your application using the following format, "John Doe - RAF 2026". Next, you will be prompted to write down the title of your intended research project. Finally, you will be asked to answer questions regarding your eligibility for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Lead Institution The applicant should complete the requested information regarding their primary/lead institution. These details will involve the lead institution's name, address, and phone number. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Organization Assurances The applicant should complete the requested information regarding their proposed research project. These details will involve the type of research your project involves and/or approval status. Please note that items marked with a red asterisk are required fields. Letters of Support Completed applications will require three letters of support. These must include one letter from the candidate’s Department Chair/Division Chief that demonstrates strong support for the candidate’s proposed research and career development. The other two letters should come from the candidate’s PhD/fellowship advisor, influential advisor, or mentor who has impacted the candidate’s research. In this section, the applicant will provide contact information pertaining to each of the letter providers. Upon submission, two individuals listed to provide letters of support will be contacted directly by a representative of USASP requesting that their letters be sent by Monday December 15, 2025 . Only when your completed application is received will we contact these two individuals. Attachments The Applicant will upload all required documents as a single PDF in the following order: 1) Signed Signature pages, 2) Abstract, 3) Leadership/vision statement, 4) NIH Biosketch, 5) Research proposal narrative, 6) Letter of support from the Department Chair/Division Chief, 7) Summary of Current and Pending Funding Signed Signature Pages All applications must be signed by the Applicant/PI and the Institutional Official responsible for submitting applications for extramural support. The signature page may either be printed out, signed and scanned, or electronic signatures may be used on the PDF. Abstract The abstract should be limited to 300 words or up to 3,000 characters. Applicants are advised to check spelling, word, and character count before pasting their abstract within this section. Leadership in Pain Research The applicant will provide a personal statement detailing his/her vision for a career in pain research and provide information and/or examples of leadership in pain-related activities. The statement should be limited to 300 words or up to 3,000 characters. NIH Biosketch The applicant will provide an NIH Biosketch that should be no more than 5 pages long (see template and examples here ) Research Proposal Narrative The applicant will append a research proposal narrative that is limited to six pages in 11-point Arial font and 0.5-inch margins. A 7th page may be included for references. Letter of Support from a Department Chair/Division Chief Completed applications will require one letter from the candidate’s Department Chair/Division Chief demonstrating strong support for the candidate’s proposed research and career development. Research Support The applicant will provide information about all current and pending research support. The research plan should include something other than a project already funded or for consideration for funding elsewhere. If the applicant has received or has pending research support, the applicant should explain how the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain will enhance the applicant’s pain research and how the project submitted for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain differs from other funded or pending projects. Summary It is necessary for applicants to review their completed application in this section. The summary function is a way to ensure that all of the required application fields are completed and accurate. Please review all questions and inputs before submitting. Submit The Applicant/PI can submit their completed application in this section. Applications with missing sections, that do not meet eligibility requirements, or do not adhere to the application instructions, including required formats (font size and page lengths) and use of signature pages, are considered ineligible. Review Criteria Reviewers will assess the candidate’s past contributions and their future potential as a leader in the field of pain research, based on the research proposal, biosketch, letters of support, and impact statement. Other Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee that includes past Scholars Award in Pain recipients and other leading pain researchers. At this time, the Selection Committee is, unfortunately, unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. For information about additional programs for early-career researchers from the Rita Allen Foundation, please see the Scholars page of the Rita Allen Foundation’s website. For questions about eligibility or other program-related information, please get in touch with the Rita Allen Foundation at ritaallenscholars@ritaallen.org . Assistance with Applications For technical support (including questions about trouble logging in and technical issues in completing an application) or questions regarding eligibility, please contact admin@usasp.org (the office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. ET-5:00 p.m. ET ). Emails received after hours and on weekends will be responded to on the next business day. For questions about other program-related questions: Please contact the Rita Allen Foundation at ritaallenscholars@ritaallen.org . 2025 Alexander Chamessian Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Targeted Protein Degradation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels for Pain Control Allan-Hermann Pool University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dissection and Targeting of the Spinal Projection Neuron Type Map of Pain States 2024 Kara Marshall Baylor College of Medicine Silent no more: Identifying mechanisms of internal mechanical pain Katelyn Sadler Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas Effects of antibiotics on nociceptive and analgesic circuits in the gut 2023 Victoria Abraira Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Context is key: how spinal cord neuromodulators scale the pain experience Seungwon (Sebastian) Choi University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Spinal output neurons: Novel therapeutic substrates for treating neuropathic pain In conjunction with Margaret and William R. Hearst III Emerson Krock McGill University Painful fibromyalgia autoantibodies through molecular mimicry with gut microbiota William Renthal Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School Targeted gene delivery to trigeminal nociceptors In conjunction with Margaret and William R. Hearst III 2022 Gregory Corder University of Pennsylvania Calibrating Nociceptive Dynamics in Midbrain Opioidergic Circuits Gwendolyn Hoben Medical College of Wisconsin Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Effects on Pain and Spontaneous Afferent Activity Aaron Mickle University of Florida Urothelial Cell to Sensory Neuron Signaling in Bladder Pain Nicole Scheff University of Pittsburgh CGRP: the link between cancer pain and progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma 2020 Ishmail Abdus-Saboor University of Pennsylvania Discovering Behavioral Signatures of Pain at Millisecond Timescales In conjunction with the Open Philanthropy Project Geoffroy Laumet Michigan State University Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Remission and Relapse of Pain Sarah Linnstaedt University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill FKBP51 Inhibition to Prevent Chronic Pain Following Traumatic Stress In conjunction with the Open Philanthropy Project Andrew J. Shepherd The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Neuro-immune Interactions in Pain Associated with Cancer and Chemotherapy 2019 Michael Burton University of Texas at Dallas Novel Models to Assess Sufficiency of Single Cell Paradigms in CB1R-Analgesia Meaghan Creed Washington University in St. Louis Synaptic Adaptations Underlying Affective Symptoms of Chronic Pain Peter Grace University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Antibody Receptor Signaling via Astrocytes: A New Pathway for Neuropathic Pain In conjunction with the Open Philanthropy Project Jordan McCall Washington University in St. Louis Using Persistent Homology to Model and Predict Spontaneous Pain Behavior In conjunction with the Open Philanthropy Project Vivianne Tawfik Stanford University Engaging Pro-resolution Microglia to Block the Transition to Chronic Pain In conjunction with the Open Philanthropy Project Previous Winners 2018 Helen C. Lai UT Southwestern Medical Center Understanding the Molecular and Developmental Basis of Painlessness Candice E. Paulsen Yale University Uncovering the Regulation of TRPA1 by Irritants, Cofactors, and Proteins 2017 Arkady Khoutorsky McGill University Extracellular Matrix-Mediated Spinal Cord Plasticity in Neuropathic Pain Kyle Baumbauer University of Kansas Medical Center Targeting ASIC3 for Disruption of Nociceptor Sensitization following Spinal Cord Injury 2016 Steve Davidson University of Cincinnati Thalamo-limbic Circuit Control of Pain Katherine Hanlon Presbyterian College DRG Macrophages: Function and Impact on Nociception 2015 Robert Sorge The University of Alabama at Birmingham Immune System Modulation of Pain via Diet Yi Ye New York University The Role of Schwann Cells in Neural Invasion and Associated Cancer Pain 2014 Gregory Scherrer Stanford University Molecular Mechanisms of Opioid-Induced Analgesia, Tolerance and Hyperalgesia Tuan Trang University of Calgary The Spinal Determinants of Arthritis Pain: Role of Microglia and P2X7 Receptors 2013 Rebecca Seal University of Pittsburgh Mechanical Pain Circuits in the Dorsal Horn: A Role of VGLUT3 Reza Sharif Naeini McGill University Role of Parvalbumin Neurons in the Dorsal Horn Pain Circuits 2012 Sarah Ross University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Investigating the Neural Circuits of Itch and Pain Michael Jankowski Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Molecular Mechanisms of Muscoloskeletal Pain after Ischemic Tissue Injury 2011 Edgar Romero-Sandoval Wake Forest School of Medicine Spinal Cord Mechanisms in the Resolution of Postoperative Pain Yuan-Xiang Tao Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Discovery of a Large Native Non-Coding RNA and Its Involvement in Neuropathic Pain 2010 Diana Bautista University of California, Berkeley Molecular Mechanisms of Somatosensory Mechanotransduction Seena Ajit Drexel University College of Medicine MicroRNA Regulation and Its Utility as Biomarkers in Neuropathic Pain 2009 Theodore J. Price University of Texas at Dallas Translations Regulation as a Novel Paradigm for Understanding Nociceptor Sensitization and Developing Analgesic Targets Steven A. Prescott University of Toronto Pain Processing by Neural Networks: A Critical Link between the Molecular and Perceptual Changes Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates 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. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Wed, Dec 03 2026 USASP Leadership Academy EXTENDED DEADLINE / Online Submission Learn more Online Submission Application Deadline EXTENDED to Monday, December 1, 2025 Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD 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. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar