2026 Awards for High Priority Early Career Investigators
2026 Awards for High Priority Early Career Investigators
March 23-26, 2026 | Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
Deadline to Apply is February 5, 2026
ABOUT USASP’s CONFERENCE The 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting for the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) aims to provide a platform for scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and trainees to share and discuss current information related to pain mechanisms, pain prevention, and pain intervention, and other relevant topics as well as participate in professional development workshops and lunch panel discussion. The 3-day conference includes plenary lectures and symposia addressing clinical, translational, and basic pain research and poster presentations of original research. The USASP is committed to career development, and trainees are encouraged to attend the Early Career Forum on Monday, March 23rd, which opens with lunch and ends with a Welcome Reception.
Scholarship Details
(1) For this award, a Trainee or Young Investigator is an individual who has graduated from high school and has not yet completed their bachelor's degree or 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., postdoctoral training or clinical fellowship).
(2) Students must demonstrate that they meet the NIH criteria for a disadvantaged background (please note, in addition to clinical researchers, we also encourage basic/preclinical, translational, and implementation researchers to apply).
(3) Applicants do not need to have submitted an abstract to apply for this award.
(4) Applicants who have been awarded a 2026 USASP Travel Award are not eligible. Applicants will receive a status update for their applications in mid/late January.
A limited number of scholarships are available to assist Trainees or Young Investigators in attending the conference to learn about pain research. This award will cover full registration ($400) to attend the conference, including the Early Career Forum on March 23.
NOTE: Resources to support housing and transportation may become available. If housing and transportation resources are required for you to be able to attend the conference, please apply for this award and then separately contact USASP (Dr. Brittany Knight at admin@usasp.org) about these resources.
To Apply for the High Priority Early Career Investigators Scholarship:
Click the submission button or tab on this website to apply.
1 Letter of Recommendation (1-page maximum; this item is required to be provided by either a professor, advisor, mentor, or someone who can attest to your career aspirations; please have them send the LoR to admin@usasp.org)
1- Page Personal Statement describing (1) your career goals, (2) why you believe attending this conference will benefit your career goals, research goals, or educational program, and (3) how you meet the NIH criteria for an individual from a disadvantaged background.
Curriculum Vitae or Resume (optional): While not required to apply, please include your previous research experiences, research presentations, leadership experiences, awards, and publications.
Location
Online event:
Dates
Submission period:
November 21, 2025 - 12:00 AM EST - February 5, 2026 - 11:59 PM EST
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact admin@usasp.org