2027 USASP Symposia Proposal Submission
Deadline to submit proposals is Monday October 12, 2026 (11:59pm Eastern)
The United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) invites proposals for scientific symposia to be presented during the 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting. Symposia are an opportunity to showcase innovative research, emerging concepts, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advances in pain science and care.
The Scientific Program Committee seeks proposals that are scientifically rigorous, timely, engaging, and contribute to a balanced program representing the breadth of the pain research community.
Symposia should provide attendees with an integrated perspective on an important topic rather than a series of unrelated presentations. Successful proposals bring together complementary expertise, highlight emerging science or clinical advances, encourage discussion, and provide clear value to attendees.
Symposia sessions will last up to 90 minutes and are expected to be interactive between the presenters and attendees whenever possible.
USASP welcomes innovative session formats when they enhance the scientific content and attendee experience. While a traditional symposium typically includes three presenters, applicants may propose alternative formats (e.g., short talks, debates, panel discussions, or other interactive approaches). Proposals should clearly explain why the selected format best supports the session objectives.
A moderator (can be identified from the presenters if appropriate) should be prepared with follow-up questions for the presenters and the audience to stimulate audience and presenter participation during the Q&A session.
Each speaker (not including moderator) may participate in only one submitted symposium proposal.
Speakers must represent different institutions (moderators excluded).
Traditional symposia typically include three presenters. Alternative formats with fewer or additional presenters may be proposed when scientifically justified.
Speakers may serve as moderators if appropriate.
Preference may be given to proposals that:
include new voices and avoid repeat symposium speakers
broaden scientific perspectives
enhance balance across the meeting
offer substantive new knowledge, developments, or perspectives
Topics recently presented at USASP Annual Scientific Meetings (i.e., last 3 years) will be considered; however, these proposals should clearly describe how the content offers new evidence, advances, applications, or perspectives beyond that previously presentated.
In the symposium abstract submission form, you will be asked to provide basic session information, upload a table with speaker information, answer questions about your session, and paste the symposium abstract.
1. Speaker Characteristics
Download the PDF at the bottom of this page, which will ask you to provide the information below in a table format. You will upload a completed table for your symposium's speakers in the submission form.
Speaker Name
Presentation Title
Career Stage
Perspective/Primary Role
Affiliation and Institution Type
Talk Length
Presented at a USASP symposium in last 3 years (Y/N)?
2. Questions About Your Session
You will be asked the following questions about your session:
a. Describe how your proposed symposium contributes to a diverse and balanced scientific program (Max 250 words). Applicants may consider diversity of scientific perspectives, career stages, institutions, disciplines, lived experience, or other relevant dimensions as appropriate
b. Why is this symposium timely and important? (250 words) Examples: Emerging field, Controversial topic, New methodology, New clinical evidence, Cross-disciplinary topic, Implementation, Patient engagement, Health equity, other
c. Describe how attendees will actively engage with the session (Max 150 words). Examples: moderated discussion, audience polling, case-based discussion, debate, or other interactive approaches)
d. (If Applicable) If your proposal does not align with one or more preferred considerations. For example: repeat speakers or limited diversity across one domain), briefly explain why an exception is scientifically justified.
3. Abstract (400-500 words)
Provide a concise overview of the proposed symposium, including the overall theme, significance to the field, and how the individual presentations fit together to create a cohesive session. For alternative session formats (e.g., short talk series, debates etc.), describe the rationale for the format and how it will achieve the session objectives.
Speaker Diversity
USASP values a Scientific Program that reflects the breadth of the pain research community. When selecting speakers, applicants are encouraged to consider a range of perspectives appropriate to the topic. Diversity may include scientific discipline, career stage, institution type, lived experience, professional background, geographic representation, gender, race and ethnicity, or other dimensions that strengthen the proposed symposium.
The Scientific Program Committee recognizes that no single symposium is expected to represent every dimension of diversity. Rather, diversity will be considered across the overall scientific program.
The Scientific Program Committee evaluates all submissions using a standardized review process. Selection is based on scientific merit and the overall balance of the Annual Scientific Meeting. including scientific disciplines, emerging topics, career stages, and speaker perspectives.
Review factors include:
Scientific quality and rigor
Innovation and timeliness
Importance to pain research or clinical care
Speaker expertise
Audience engagement
Contribution to the overall scientific program
Diversity of scientific perspectives across the meeting
Not all highly rated proposals can be accommodated due to limited program space. Incomplete applications or proposals that do not meet the submission requirements may not be reviewed.
USASP is committed to developing a scientific program that showcases outstanding science, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, welcomes diverse perspectives, and advances our shared mission of reducing the burden of pain through research, education, and innovation.
Location
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
1550 Court Place
Denver, Colorado
United States, 80202
Dates
Submission period:
August 21, 2026 - 8:59 AM EDT - October 12, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact admin@usasp.org