National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH offers various grants focused on pain research. The NIH Pain Consortium provides funding opportunities to support research on the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. Relevant grant programs include:
- NIH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
- NIH K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research
American Pain Society (APS)
The APS offers research grants to support pain-related studies. Their grants often focus on early career investigators and innovative pain research projects.
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
IASP provides various grants and fellowships for pain research, including support for early career researchers. They offer Collaborative Research Grants and Early Career Research Grants.
Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER)
FAER provides grants to support pain research, particularly in the field of anesthesiology. They offer Mentored Research Training Grants, Research Fellowship Grants, and others.
Rita Allen Foundation
The Rita Allen Foundation Pain Scholars Program funds early-career leaders in basic pain research. This program focuses on high-risk, high-reward research that has the potential to transform the understanding and treatment of pain.
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
The DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) offers funding for pain research through various programs, such as the Chronic Pain Management Research Program (CPMRP).
Private Foundations
Many private foundations offer grants for medical research, including pain research. Examples include the Mayday Fund, which is dedicated to alleviating pain through research and education, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which supports research on spinal cord injury and related pain.
Application Tips
- Identify Specific Programs: Research specific grant programs and ensure your project aligns with their goals and priorities.
- Early Career Focus: Many grants are designed to support early-career investigators. Highlight your potential and previous research experience.
- Collaborative Research: Emphasize the collaborative aspects of your research and potential for interdisciplinary approaches.
- Innovation and Impact: Demonstrate the innovative nature of your research and its potential impact on pain care.