2026 Leadership Academy
We are pleased to announce the second annual USASP Leadership Academy (LA), which aims to develop the next generation of leaders in the pain field. The program empowers pain scholars with high potential to accelerate the development of leaders in pain research, practice, policy, and education. LA Fellows attend monthly virtual and yearly in-person sessions to receive mentoring, develop leadership skills, and facilitate implementation of capstone projects. Through participating in this academy, fellows will develop skills and confidence in leadership, which will advance their careers, the mission of USASP, and the study of pain.
DEADLINE EXTENDED To Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm EASTERN
Application Details
1. Career stage: within 5-15 years after completing their terminal degree.
2. Current member of USASP.
1. Attend the pre-conference LA workshop (March 23) and the annual USASP scientific meeting (2026 Annual Meeting will be Phildelphia, PA from March 23-26).
2. Participate in the virtual mentorship and learning community.
3. Attend monthly meetings throughout the duration of the program.
1. Cover letter (1 pg. max) from the candidate that includes their rationale for seeking leadership training and a description of potential directions the candidate will pursue following completion of the LA.
2. A one-page description of a proposed capstone leadership project (see below). This project can target any leadership level focused on local, regional, national, or international leadership as a pain scholar.
3. NIH Biosketch (preferred) or CV.
4. Letter of support from the applicant’s supervisor.
Letter of recommendation that attests to the applicant’s leadership potential.
Please upload all required documents as a single PDF in the following order: (1) Cover letter (1 pg. max) from the candidate that includes their rationale for seeking leadership training and a description of potential directions the candidate will pursue following completion of the LA. (2) A one-page description of a proposed capstone leadership project (see below). This project can target any leadership level focused on local, regional, national, or international leadership as a pain scholar. (3) NIH Biosketch (preferred) or CV. (4) Letter of support from the applicant’s supervisor. (5) Letter of recommendation that attests to the applicant’s leadership potential.
*Please make sure that your attachment is the correct file. And that the PDF is viewable. You may not be able to view it within the system after upload.
1. Commitment to attend the USASP annual scientific meeting and to participate in at least 75% of the monthly meetings, online learning, and mentoring community meetings.
2. Description of the applicant’s leadership aspirations.
3. Applicant’s big-picture vision for an important health or healthcare issue related to pain with a compelling description of how the applicant aspires to address this issue through the proposed capstone project.
4. A record of mentoring the next generation of pain scholars commensurate with level of experience.
Documented support from a supervisor for the time commitment required for participation.
Fellows will apply training from the LA to refine and then pilot a capstone project. Capstone projects should address an important health or healthcare issue related to pain, can be at the local, regional, national, or international level, and integrate leadership skills that are important to the progression of your career.
Fellows will refine this project under the guidance of LA mentors and with feedback from peers in the program. The capstone should include an integration of leadership skills and should tangibly advance the fellow’s career.
Examples of Capstone Projects (but not limited to these!):
1. Building a collaborative or mentoring team for a career development award or grant submission
2. Expanding access to pain care
3. Refining hospital policies about pain management
4. Organizing a USASP event or advocacy activity
Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage in optional training activities tailored to their career goals, including but not limited to engagement in USASP committees or editorial fellowships with the Journal of Pain.
2026 Scholars Timeline
1. Applications open: August 11, 2025.
2. Application Deadline EXTENDED: December 3, 2025.
3. Candidates are notified of acceptance into 2026 program by mid Decemb.
4. Kick-off at USASP ASM 2026 at a pre-conference workshop on March 23, 1-4 pm (in person only).
5. Individual mentors will be identified and quarterly meetings will begin over the summer.
Group mentoring, monthly webinars, and peer mentoring begin August/September 2026
4 Core Competencies/pillars of USASP (Collaborative) Leadership Academy:
1. Strategic Thinking, including long-term goals, vision and sharing your vision
2. Managing yourself and others, including self-management, emotional IQ, and team dynamics
3. Effective communication for building trust, negotiating and self-promoting, and managing conflict
4. Program Development, including financial management, leveraging networks and systems, and leading change
Location
Hybrid event:
No location
Dates
Submission period:
July 21, 2025 - 12:00 AM EDT - December 3, 2025 - 11:59 PM EST
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact admin@usasp.org