Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain

About this program

The Rita Allen Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Association for the Study of Pain, provides at least two annual awards of $150,000 over three years to early-career investigators conducting innovative basic research on pain mechanisms and new analgesic development. Applicants must hold a faculty-level appointment at a U.S. or Canadian institution, be within three years of starting a tenure-track or equivalent position, and demonstrate a commitment to pain research and distinguished achievement or exceptional promise. Candidates must also have committed institutional start-up funds and independent laboratory space; indirect costs are not supported. Applications for the 2027 award are expected to open in October 2026.