Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Observational & Explorative Focused Hypotheses Research Studies

About this program

The American Osteopathic Association (with guidance from the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Research and Public Health) is funding observational and explorative studies that test one of 14 specified hypotheses examining the effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) on disease, with emphasis on clinical relevance to osteopathic distinctiveness (examples include OMT effects on pain, medication use, and surgical outcomes). Awards provide up to $20,000 per project for a 24-month period (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028) under the OMM observational/explorative focused-hypotheses RFA. Eligible applicants include experienced researchers, new investigators, physicians in training, and osteopathic medical students; proposals must address one (and only one) specified hypothesis, be observational/explorative (clinical, interventional, or translational), and demonstrate alignment with osteopathic tenets.