The NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP) is a funding opportunity designed to foster the career development of clinician-scientists specializing in pain management. Through the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08), this initiative aims to support researchers with clinical doctoral degrees who plan to conduct basic experimental studies involving human participants. The goal is to prepare a new generation of independent researchers capable of addressing the challenges of chronic pain management through innovative, scientifically rigorous research. The program is part of NIH's larger effort to combat the opioid crisis and improve pain management, contributing to the Helping End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative.

Eligible applicants must hold clinical doctoral degrees such as MD, DDS, DO, or PharmD, and be committed to a long-term research career in pain management. The K08 award supports research that meets the NIH definition of a clinical trial, but it focuses specifically on basic science experiments involving humans, known as Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (BESH). These studies involve the prospective assignment of human participants to conditions to understand the fundamental aspects of pain without aiming for immediate clinical applications. Researchers not planning an independent clinical trial or BESH should apply to companion programs without trial requirements.

The NIH provides up to $125,000 per year for salary and an additional $50,000 for research expenses. Funds may be used for tuition, supplies, and travel to research meetings, including the PURPOSE Annual Meeting for Pain Research, which K08 recipients are required to attend. The award period can last up to five years, during which recipients are expected to spend at least 75% of their professional time on research activities related to the grant. Successful applicants will receive mentorship and have access to a range of NIH-supported career development resources.

Applicants must submit their proposals through Grants.gov, following the specific instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide. Key submission dates start in September 2024, with standard NIH due dates applying. A unique feature of this funding opportunity is the requirement for a detailed mentorship plan, emphasizing the development of diverse skills, including leadership, research communication, and the ability to address the needs of patients with pain. Additionally, NIH encourages early contact with its scientific staff to ensure the proposed research aligns with the program's objectives.

The NIH strongly emphasizes the need for transparency and rigor in research, and applicants are expected to meet high standards for experimental design and data sharing. The HEAL Initiative requires recipients to share their research data in HEAL-compliant repositories, ensuring that data generated from NIH-supported pain research are accessible to the broader scientific community. These data-sharing requirements are part of the NIH’s commitment to maximizing the impact of funded studies, with particular attention to reproducibility and public access.

Eligibility extends to U.S.-based higher education institutions, nonprofits, and local governments. Applicants must complete all relevant federal registrations, including with the System for Award Management (SAM), Grants.gov, and NIH's eRA Commons.