Osteopathic Distinctiveness

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) invites applications for a research grant opportunity focused on Osteopathic Distinctiveness, offering up to $100,000 in total funding over a 24-month period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This opportunity is part of the AOA’s broader initiative to support projects that advance the profession’s unique contributions to patient care through clinically relevant, patient-focused research. Proposals must align with the osteopathic tenets and seek to demonstrate the distinctiveness of osteopathic medical practice compared to other healthcare models. This RFA calls for clinical and interventional studies that examine whether the osteopathic approach to care leads to better outcomes in areas such as compassion, empathy, patient-physician communication, and patient satisfaction. The RFA also encourages research focused on health disparities and social determinants of health when addressed through a patient-centered osteopathic lens. All research must apply a biopsychosocial model, which reflects the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. Eligible project types include both protocol-driven and pragmatic studies. Applicants must present a clear hypothesis and study design, supported by evidence-based or evidence-informed rationale for interventions. The proposal must outline consistent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and all methods must promote reproducibility and scalability. Investigators should also present a robust statistical plan with power analysis to ensure adequate sample sizes. Preference is given to proposals involving collaboration with partners or subject matter experts, especially those exploring novel approaches to understanding osteopathic distinctiveness. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to U.S.-based researchers holding doctoral-level credentials, including DOs, MDs, and PhDs. A Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) must be included as a key member of the research team. Applicants from private practice, students, residents, and investigators with incomplete deliverables from prior AOA awards are ineligible. Research must be conducted entirely within the United States and focused on U.S. populations. An individual may apply as Principal Investigator for only one RFA per cycle but may participate as a Co-Investigator on additional submissions. Resubmissions of previously declined proposals are allowed up to two times. Applications must be submitted online through the AOA’s system no later than January 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. Grant award announcements will be made in June 2026, with funded projects beginning on July 1, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements. Funded projects are expected to result in a manuscript submitted to the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM), which maintains the right of first refusal for publishing grant results. For assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact Gloria Dillard, MPH, Director of Research Grants in the AOA Department of Research, by phone at (312) 202-8006 or via email at [email protected]. Additional eligibility details and instructions are available in the AOA’s official Research Grant Application Instructions.

Applicants must submit their proposals with a clear hypothesis, study design, and intervention rationale. The proposals should also include a plan for data collection and reporting, as well as methods for assessing the reliability of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The AOA emphasizes the importance of collaboration and encourages applicants to include partnerships with relevant experts and organizations.