2025 Golden Neuron Awards Logo

  • Golden Neuron Awards

    2025 Nomination Form

  • The Golden Neurons will recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions in the field of pain research. We believe in the power of recognition, acceptance, and appreciation to foster a vibrant and supportive community, and that this community deserves recognition for your important work.

    Award Categories:

    • Pain Scientist of the Year: Acknowledging the exemplary work of an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of pain science, including advancements in understanding pain mechanisms, developing innovative pain management strategies, or improving patient care.
    • Best Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts in pain research that integrate multiple disciplines and involve contributions from two or more separate institutions, this award honors outstanding achievements in multidisciplinary collaboration.
    • Mentor of the Year: Celebrating an individual who has demonstrated exceptional mentorship qualities, guiding and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
    • Rising Star Researcher: Highlighting the achievements of an early-career researcher who has demonstrated exceptional potential and innovation in the field of pain research.
    • Best Representation and Inclusion: Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, this award honors efforts in representing and including persons with pain and/or their families in the research community.

    We encourage all members to participate in the nomination process and to identify those individuals who have truly made a difference in advancing our shared goals.

    Eligibility:

    • Candidates for the Golden Neuron Awards are assessed on their contributions to the field of pain research, the impact of their work, and their history of collaborative team science. See Award Criteria and Application Process section on the Golden Neuron Awards page for specific requirements.
    • Nominations are open to researchers worldwide, however nominees must register to attend the PURPOSE Annual Meeting in-person.
    • Candidates must be currently active in the field of pain research with both independent researchers and those affiliated with institutions are eligible.
    • Self-nominations are permitted.

    Nominations close on March 31, 2025.

     

    Your involvement in recognizing these outstanding achievements is crucial in making the Golden Neuron awards truly reflective of the exceptional talent within our community.

    Thank you for your participation, and let's come together to celebrate excellence in pain research!

     

    To nominate yourself or someone else for an award, please click Next.

    Questions? Contact PURPOSE@painresearchers.com.

  • Your Information

  • Award Category

  • Reason for Nomination

  • Required Documentation

    Submission of essential documentation is required as part of the application process. The specific requirements for these documents are contingent upon the chosen award, and therefore, applicants are encouraged to carefully review and adhere to the unique criteria associated with each award category.

  • Best Multidisciplinary Pain Research Collaboration

    1. Research Statement: A detailed description of the research project (maximum 1000 words).
    2. Collaborative Explanation, from each discipline/institution: A summary of the interdisciplinary collaboration must be provided by each of the involved teams/researchers/discipline representatives, highlighting the contribution of each discipline (maximum 500 words).
    3. Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation from professionals in relevant fields who are not part of the research team.
    4. Supporting Documents: Copies of the published research article(s).

  • Best Representation and Inclusion of Persons with Pain, and/or their families

    1. Research Statement: A detailed description of the research project (maximum 1000 words).

    2. Collaborative Explanations, from researchers and persons with lived experience (PWLE) representatives: A summary of the relationship must be provided, in their own words, from the researchers and persons with lived experience, highlighting the representation/inclusion (maximum 500 words, each).

    3. Supporting Documents: Evidence of any/all of the following:
      - Researchers conducted listening sessions or community engagement studios with PWLE/caregivers to inform research focus and/or significant aims of study: Provide results of the engagement sessions and the changes that resulted from what was learned

      - Co-development of grant application with PWLE/caregivers: Note, the application does not have to have been funded, but it must have been submitted and scored.

      - Inclusion of PWLE/caregivers in all phases of the research lifecycle: Provide the nature of inclusion at each phase, supported by the Collaborative Explanations above.

      - Co-presentation of research findings with PWLE/caregivers at various meeting types (scientific, community, etc.)

      - Co-publication of research findings and/or research team/processes with PWLE/caregivers listed as co-authors

      - Inclusion of a description of PWLE/caregiver engagement in journal publication, what and how PE was incorporated into the study and how it made a difference: Provide a copy of the reference article

      - Partnership with PWLE/caregivers and/or advocacy/community organizations to disseminate study findings, beyond peer-reviewed journal publication. Provide copies or access to the dissemination outlet.

  • Mentor of the Year

    1. Curriculum Vitae: Submit a current CV or Resume.
    2. Personal Statement: A personal statement outlining the nominee's mentorship philosophy and approach (max 1000 words).
    3. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from current or former mentees, highlighting the nominee’s mentorship impact.
    4. Supporting Documents: Evidence of mentorship and contributions to the field (e.g., list of mentees, successful projects, publications).

  • Pain Scientist of the Year

    1. Curriculum Vitae: Submit a current CV, highlighting research achievements, publications, and any contributions to the field.
    2. Research Statement: A summary of key research contributions (max 1000 words).
    3. Letters of Recommendation: Up to three letters of recommendation from peers, mentors, or mentees in the field.
    4. Supporting Documents: Copies of three significant publications from the past five years.

  • Rising Star Researcher

    1. Curriculum Vitae: Submit a current CV, highlighting research achievements, publications, and any previous awards or honors.
    2. Research Statement: Provide a statement (maximum of 500 words) describing your research accomplishments, current work, and future research plans in the area of pain research.
    3. Letters of Recommendation: Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from established researchers in the field of pain research, attesting to the candidate’s contributions and potential.
    4. Supporting Documents: Include up to two (2) of your most significant publications in pain research.
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