The United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association dedicated to promoting scientific advances that reduce the burden of pain. The "Art of Partnership" is the idea that beautiful progress happens when we bring together different people, perspectives, and lived experiences to collaborate on pain research.

Like painting a piece of art, meaningful pain research is shaped by many different colors, layers, and dimensions. Research perspectives bring academic knowledge about pain. Clinical perspectives add insights about caring for people living with pain. Lived experience perspectives offer expertise on the realities of living with pain. Each adds something distinct to the canvas of pain research. When brought together as equal partners, they can create a fuller, richer picture of pain. This leads to research that is more meaningful, inclusive, and responsive to the people it is meant to serve. However, flexible funding is often unavailable to support the early stages of these relationships or compensate partners for their time and expertise.

The USASP People with Lived Experience (PWLE) Community Partnership Seed Fund will provide small, flexible awards to help researchers, PWLE, and community organizations build relationships, plan projects, develop shared priorities, and appropriately compensate community partners. Beginning during Pain Awareness Month and continuing through the 2027 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting, our initial goal is to raise $5,000. Every gift will help build the fund and create future opportunities for meaningful, community-engaged pain research.

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The Art of Partnership

Advancing clinical practice for millions of Americans living with chronic pain