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Looking to advance your career and the osteopathic profession through clinical or health services research? Apply for an AOA research grant.
The AOA is providing grant funding to DOs, MDs, osteopathic medical students and PhD researchers conducting studies that address areas of study identified by the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Research and Public Health and approved by the Board of Trustees. These studies reflect the concept that while OMM/OMT remains a strong tradition of the osteopathic profession, osteopathic medicine encompasses a broader philosophy that includes patient-centered care, empathy and the body, mind and spirit approach. The osteopathic philosophy embraces an approach that, while seeking and promoting health, also addresses disease states and the spectrum of patient care (e.g., primary, secondary and tertiary).
The designated research topics must address the tenets of osteopathic medicine and explore the profession’s patient-centered, empathic approach to care.
Research grant recipients must give the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM) the first right of refusal to publish research findings generated from the grant.
Submissions open: Oct. 1, 2024
Deadline for applications: Jan. 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CT
Awards announced: June 2025
Project start date: July 1, 2025
The AOA’s research grant program supports the pursuit of research rooted in osteopathic principles and practice that promotes osteopathic medicine’s overall impact and efficacy. Researchers are encouraged to submit funding applications for studies that explore osteopathic medicine’s whole-person approach while also addressing disease states and the spectrum of patient care (e.g., primary, secondary and tertiary).
Though osteopathic manipulative medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMM/OMT) remain strong traditions in the osteopathic profession, research should recognize that osteopathic medicine encompasses a broader philosophy focused on empathetic patient-centered care that addresses the body, mind and spirit.
The American Osteopathic Association and the American Osteopathic Foundation fund osteopathically focused research conducted by new investigators. Read on for information about the process of navigating the application process and making a lasting contribution to the field of osteopathic research.
AOA/AOF new investigator research grant program | View RFA/NOFO
This grant was established to advance the scientific training of new investigators interested in conducting research projects in clinical science or health services that will contribute to the field of osteopathic medicine research. In addition, the grant is intended to encourage individuals to contribute to osteopathic research throughout their careers.
A new investigator is defined as a Principal Investigator (PI) who has completed his/her terminal research degree or end of postgraduate clinical training, whichever completion date is later, within the past 10 years. Proposals must comply with the specific requirements for topics and scope of research projects as outlined in the respective RFAs/NOFOs for the larger grants.
AOA physicians in training grant program | View RFA/NOFO
This program is designed to support physicians in training who are interested in conducting a clinical or health services research project that will significantly contribute to osteopathic medicine. Additionally, the program aims to establish a foundation for physicians in training to contribute to osteopathic medicine throughout their careers.
Funded grant projects will be completed under the direction of a mentor, who should be an active investigator in the proposed research area and be committed to supervising the applicant’s research and supporting their career development. Both the mentor and applicant must accept responsibility for the conduct of the project and the reporting of scientific results. A portion of the research training program may be conducted at an institution other than the sponsoring institution.
Submitted proposals must comply with the requirements outlined in the respective RFAs/NOFOs for the larger grants.
AOA osteopathic medical student research program | View RFA/NOFO
This program supports the development of research skills among medical students aiming to complete a clinical or health services research project that will make a significant contribution to osteopathic medicine. In addition, the program introduces osteopathic medical students to the osteopathic research community and encourages them to engage in research throughout their careers.
Funded grant projects will be completed under the direction of a mentor, who should be an active investigator in the proposed research area and be committed to supervising the applicant’s research and supporting their career development. Both the mentor and applicant must accept responsibility for the conduct of the project and the reporting of scientific results. A portion of the research training program may be conducted at an institution other than the sponsoring institution.
Submitted proposals must comply with the requirements outlined in the respective RFAs/NOFOs for the larger grants.
View the informational workshop featuring important information regarding the 2025 research grants cycle. Applicants may also view a PDF version of the presentation.