ABSTRACT This proposal establishes a rigorous and supportive interdisciplinary training program in clinical pain research at Mass General Brigham (MGB) in Boston. The program will support a diverse pool of postdoctoral fellows, who will enroll in the program for 2-3 years, with the goal of expanding and enhancing the pool of early career stage investigators who are able to launch and maintain successful careers addressing the nation’s scientific needs in clinical pain research. The program provides protected research time and dedicated training in the context of a unique cohort approach, allowing not only a network of formal mentors, but also peer-mentoring integrated into a rich training experience. In addition to learning through practical engagement in the research process, trainees will undertake coursework tailored to their individual experience, needs, and goals, which can include the completion of graduate certificates or degrees at Harvard University. Required training in responsible conduct of research and research rigor will further establish a solid foundation in clinical research. A national pool of candidates will be recruited, with dedicated and systematic efforts to establish and maintain diversity through recruitment and retention of individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, disabled individuals, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The 12 diverse mentors in the program (including the 2 PIs) have been selected on the basis of their excellence in clinical pain research and strong mentorship track records. They vary in career stage, background, and expertise, coming from fields beyond those traditionally represented in pain research (e.g., psychology, neurology, neuroscience, psychiatry, epidemiology). These mentors are well-positioned to provide training for eight prioritized pain research content areas: (1) Advancing health equity in pain, (2) Understanding and treating chronic overlapping pain conditions, (3) Implementing effective interventions for pain and co-morbidities, (4) Characterizing the impacts of social determinants of health on pain, (5) Optimizing non-opioid pharmacological treatments for pain, (6) Designing and delivering nonpharmacological interventions for pain, (7) Treating pain across the lifespan, and (8) Preventing the transition from acute to chronic pain. Following participation in the program, trainees will be well-positioned to establish a career of independently-funded clinical pain research and enrich the next generation of research leaders and mentors in pain. The program’s long-term goal is to enhance the number clinical pain researchers with interdisciplinary training and collaborative outlook, in order to promote innovative non-opioid solutions for pain management and improve patient care by providing high-quality training to future leaders in clinical pain research.

PROJECT NARRATIVE This proposal is designed to establish an interdisciplinary training program in clinical pain research at Mass General Brigham (MGB) in Boston. The long-term goal is to expand the number, diversity, and collaborative network of clinical pain researchers, advancing our understanding of pain and our ability to effectively manage pain without opioid medications. This program offers interdisciplinary mentorship and training in clinical pain research by bringing together a diverse group of mentors from an array of backgrounds, including Psychology, Neurology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Epidemiology to promote innovative solutions for pain management and improve patient care by providing high-quality training to future leaders in clinical pain research.