The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) invites applications for its funding opportunity under the "Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Observational & Explorative Focused Hypotheses Research Studies" initiative. This grant supports small-scale research addressing one of fourteen predefined hypotheses exploring the effects of OMM on specific clinical conditions. The program supports the AOA’s commitment to advancing osteopathic distinctiveness and patient-centered, evidence-based healthcare. It is intended for early-stage studies with high potential for impact, designed to fill gaps or contribute to existing literature through clearly defined observational or exploratory methods.

Each selected project will be awarded up to $20,000 for a period of 24 months, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. Proposals must focus on one of the fourteen specific hypotheses provided by the AOA. Topics span four categories: pain management, surgical outcomes, respiratory issues, and pediatric issues, including hypotheses related to migraines, opioid reduction, asthma, COPD, newborn feeding, pneumonia, and more. All proposals must be rooted in the biopsychosocial model and demonstrate a clear research question, structured methodology, and statistical power analysis.

Applications are due by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST through the AOA’s online submission system. Award announcements will be made in June 2025. Recipients must produce an abstract, poster, and oral presentation at OMED, and submit a manuscript to the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM), which holds the right of first refusal. JOM also offers fast-track peer review for submissions from this grant, along with unique branding for accepted publications and free access to the Scholar series.

Eligible applicants include DOs, MDs, PhDs, OMM instructors, OMM departments, and residents working with OMM teams. Applicants must include a DO as key personnel if not already a DO. Medical students are not eligible. Ineligibility also applies to individuals with ongoing first-year AOA grants, past grantees with unmet requirements, and researchers conducting work outside the U.S. or on non-U.S. populations.

The grant allows funding for participant recruitment, statistical support, and limited equipment purchases (up to 10% of the award). It does not cover salaries for investigators or technicians, expendable supplies, travel, facility improvements, professional development, indirect costs, or medical education activities. For clarifications on allowable expenses or other inquiries, applicants should contact Gloria Dillard, MPH, Director of Research Grants, via email at gdillard@osteopathic.org or by phone at (312) 202-8006.