AANA Foundation is partnering with the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) to provide grant support for CRNAs and PhD/MD/DO investigators to collaboratively conduct research projects that focus on the broad area of perioperative musculoskeletal pain management. CRNAs are encouraged to partner with orthopaedic surgeons as part of the research project.
This Funding Opportunity solicits research focused on, but not limited to, the following areas:
Areas of research focus may include translational, clinical, or health services research to preferably include at least pilot human studies. Proposals will be adjudicated on scientific merit, feasibility, and an ability to effect positive change through an important scientific contribution. Publication of results in a leading peer-reviewed journal is expected.
Anticipated clinical impact of all proposals must be clearly noted in the abstract and specific aims and be obvious from the title and the study design. All proposed projects are expected to generate results that have a practical application. It is expected that upon completion of the proposed project, the principal investigator will have made a significant research contribution and will be well positioned to pursue NIH or the equivalent large-scale funding to continue to advance the area of research.
Maximum funding will be a total of $45,000 over a 1-year grant period, conditional upon periodic progress reports and annual review.
Note: Deadlines and submission requirements for this grant program differ from AANA Foundation standard deadlines and requirements. Applications are to be submitted through proposalCENTRAL rather than through the Foundation’s electronic grants management portal. See the How to Apply section for where to access more details on the submission and administrative processes from OREF.
Deadline for Letter of Intent: August 13, 2026 by 10:59 pm CT
Deadline for Invited Application: October 15, 2026 by 10:59 pm CT
Eligible investigators include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the role of Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI collaborating with a PhD and/or MD or DO. A PhD, MD or DO may serve as co-investigators or co-principal investigators; if a CRNA serves as co-PI or PI. The CRNA serving as PI or co-PI must meet the requirements for Continuous Professional Certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). A PhD serving as PI, Co-PI or Co-I must hold a faculty appointment at a US institution. An MD or DO serving as co-PI or Co-I must have a valid license to practice in the United States. CRNAs are encouraged to partner with orthopaedic surgeon(s) as part of the research project. Applications may be submitted by, non-profit, public and private institutions of higher education, such as hospitals, medical schools, universities, and colleges in the United States.
$45,000
Consultancy, equipment, supplies, tuition, travel, and other miscellaneous direct costs (e.g., publication costs). Salary recovery for the PI or co-PI is not allowed. Indirect costs are not allowed.
For full details on the available deadline(s), scope, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and administrative processes expected for this grant program, see the Funding Opportunity Announcement that is available on the OREF Research Grant and Award Programs website.