[Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation](https://www.oref.org)

July 2026 | August 2026

$20,000 one-time award; recognition at major orthopaedic meetings

Honors outstanding clinical research that advances understanding or treatment of musculoskeletal disease or injury.

--- ## Description The OREF Clinical Research Award is an annual recognition for exceptional clinical research that directly addresses musculoskeletal disease or injury. The award spotlights impactful research contributions and is presented at both the AAOS Annual Meeting and the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting. The recipient receives a $20,000 prize and significant professional recognition in the orthopaedic research community. --- ## Due Dates - July 2026 (anticipated, based on historical AAOS submission cycle) - August 2026 (anticipated, based on OREF site historical cycle) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $20,000 one-time award to the lead author/principal investigator. - Award includes formal recognition at AAOS and ORS annual meetings. --- ## Eligibility - Lead author must be a member (or candidate member) of one of the following: - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) - Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) - Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) - Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS) - Manuscript must be original, represent a significant body of clinical research, and address musculoskeletal disease or injury. - Previous recipients of the OREF Clinical Research Award as Principal Investigator are not eligible to apply for the same award again. - Co-investigators may reapply for the same award even if previously part of a winning team. - Basic science studies involving only human tissues are not eligible; the focus must be clinical research. --- ## Application Process - Submissions are electronic only and must follow detailed formatting and content guidelines. - Required materials include: - Manuscript (max 30 pages, including images, tables, references) - Table of contents - Summary of clinical relevance - Disclosure statements and funding sources - Description of investigator and co-author roles - NIH-format CVs for all authors - Indicate on the application form if the manuscript should be considered for both the OREF and Kappa Delta awards. - Applications are submitted via the designated online portal (see program page for current instructions). --- ## Additional Information - Only one application per Principal Investigator per cycle is allowed. - Award recipients are invited to submit their work for publication in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. - Manuscripts must adhere strictly to the specified page limits and formatting requirements. --- ## External Links - [OREF Clinical Research Award Program Page](https://www.oref.org/for-researchers/funding-opportunities/grant-details/oref-clinical-research-award) - [AAOS Award Information & Submission Guidelines](https://www.aaos.org/quality/research-resources/kappa-delta-awards-and-oref-clinical-research-award/) - [Submission Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.aaos.org/globalassets/quality-and-practice-resources/research-resources/kappa-delta/kd-oref-submission-instruction-and-deadline.pdf) - [OREF Grant FAQs](https://www.oref.org/about-oref/resources/faqs) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@oref.org | | Phone | (847) 698-9980 | | OREF Contact Page | [Contact OREF](https://www.oref.org/about-oref/contact-us) |

OREF Clinical Research Award

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