Program Overview
Administered by the University of Michigan Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center the HEAL K12 is a three-year, mentored career-development program that prepares early-career clinician-scientists to become independent clinical pain researchers. Scholars remain at their home institutions while receiving protected research time, tailored training, and mentorship from institutional mentors, nationally recognized pain researchers, and persons with lived experience. Through this national program, scholars develop the skills, research experience, and professional networks needed to advance the field of pain science.
Mission
Our mission is to strengthen and expand the national clinical pain research workforce by preparing clinician-scientists to become successful independent investigators. The program supports scholars from a broad range of disciplines, specialties, institutions, geographic regions, and personal and professional backgrounds.
Program Approach
- At least 75% protected effort.
- Training conducted primarily at the scholar's home institution.
- An individualized career-development and research plan.
- A primary home-institution mentor.
- Mentorship from a nationally recognized pain researcher.
- Engagement with mentors and advisors with lived pain experience.
- Clinical pain research that can support future independent funding.
- National networking and professional-development opportunities.
Scholar Experience
Scholars complete a tailored program of pain-science education, clinical research, mentorship, and professional development. Activities include quarterly mentoring and progress reviews, research-integrity training, engagement with persons with lived experience, participation in MICHR Research Studios, and attendance at the annual PURPOSE Meeting and HEAL K12 Symposium in Ann Arbor.
Commitment to Lived Experience
The HEAL K12 integrates the perspectives of persons with lived experience of pain throughout scholars’ training and research development. Scholars receive guidance on meaningful engagement and learn to incorporate lived experience into the design, conduct, and communication of clinical pain research.
Program Leadership
Co-Directors: Daniel Clauw, MD, Steven Harte, PhD, David Williams, PhD
Program Manager: Sara Skelton, MA
Funding and Institutional Information
The HEAL K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Program is administered by the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan. The program is supported by the National Institutes of Health through the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, under Award Number K12NS130673
The content is solely the responsibility of the program and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or its NIH HEAL Initiative®.
Contact Information
Questions about the HEAL K12 program may be directed to UM-HEALK12@umich.edu.