Lifetime Achievement Award
Purpose: This award is intended to honor a person who has devoted much of their career to the advancement of the science associated with osteoarthritis, played an active role in promoting the OARSI mission and demonstrated exemplary professionalism. The winner receives travel support and complimentary Congress registration and will be provided time during the Opening Ceremony at World Congress for presentation remarks.
Eligibility Criteria: Researchers who have devoted their career to OA research for at least 20 years. The person must be a past or present OARSI member. Current Board members, current Nominating Committee members and previous winners of this award are not eligible. Industry partners and designated representatives affiliated with companies involved in OARSI sponsorship are not eligible.
Nomination Process: Nomination by OARSI members including industry partners and Board members. Self-nomination is not possible. Nominating Committee members are not eligible to submit nominations or letters of recommendation.
Nomination Requirements: Up to two letters of recommendation with impact statement reflecting award evaluation criteria (each letter of up to two A4 pages) and CV of the candidate (up to three A4 pages). At least one letter must be from outside of the candidate’s current institution.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Dedication: Candidate has dedicated at least 20 years of their career to the field of OA research, with consideration to the consistency and sustained impact of the candidate’s contribution to the mission of the OARSI.
- Impact: Candidate has made significant and relevant contributions to scientific advancement within the field of OA research. Impacts will be assessed in accordance with study discipline in line with recognzied metrics (see footnote*).
- Leadership: Candidate demonstrates effective leadership and takes an active role in mentoring and shaping the next generation of professionals in the field.
- Innovation and Collaboration: Candidate demonstrates originality and creativity in their work, particularly contributing to interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
- Service to OARSI: Candidate has supported the OARSI mission through voluntary contributions to organizational committees, taskforces and initiatives.
Please submit your letter(s) of nomination to OARSI Executive Director Elizabeth Grotos at egrotos@oarsi.org by December 18, 2025.
Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsor:
Clinical Research Award
Purpose: To promote advancement and recognize excellence in original clinical research in the OA field. The winner receives travel support and complimentary Congress registration and will be provided time during the Opening Ceremony at World Congress for presentation remarks.
Eligibility Criteria: OARSI members who have contributed an impactful body of original work within the field of OA research during the last 10 years. Current Board members, current Nominating Committee members, previous winners of this award, Industry partners and designated representatives affiliated with companies involved in OARSI sponsorship are not eligible.
Nomination Process: Nomination by OARSI members including industry partners and Board members. Self-nomination is not possible. Nominating Committee members are not eligible to submit nominations or letters of recommendation.
Nomination Requirements: Up to two letters of recommendation with impact statement reflecting award evaluation criteria (each letter of up to two A4 pages) and CV of the candidate (up to three A4 pages). At least one letter must be from outside of the candidate’s current institution.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Significance, Relevance and Impact: Candidate demonstrates a record of significance and impact within their OA clinical research findings during the last 10 years, focused on improving patient care and outcomes. Impacts will be assessed in accordance with study discipline in line with recognzied metrics (see footnote*).
- Translational Potential: OA research from the candidate during the last 10 years demonstrates clear potential for translation of findings into clinical practice and/or interventions.
- Methodological Rigor: Research from the candidate during the last 10 years demonstrates robustness and validity of the study design, ethical considerations and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Innovation and Collaboration: Candidate demonstrates advancement through collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches employed in conducting the research.
Nominations are due by December 18, 2025.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Clinical Research Award.
Basic Science Research
Purpose: To promote advancement and recognize excellence in original basic research in the OA field. The winner receives travel support and complimentary Congress registration and will be provided time during the Opening Ceremony at World Congress for presentation remarks.
Eligibility Criteria: OARSI members who have contributed an impactful body of original work within the field of OA research during the last 10 years. Current Board members, current Nominating Committee members, previous winners of this award, Industry partners and designated representatives affiliated with companies involved in OARSI sponsorship are not eligible.
Nomination Process: Nomination by OARSI members including industry partners and Board members. Self-nomination is not possible. Nominating Committee members are not eligible to submit nominations or letters of recommendation.
Nomination Requirements: Up to two letters of recommendation with impact statement reflecting award evaluation criteria (each letter of up to two A4 pages) and CV of the candidate (up to three A4 pages). At least one letter must be from outside of the candidate’s current institution.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Significance, Relevance and Impact: Candidate demonstrates a record of scientific significance and impact within their research findings in the OA basic science field during the last 10 years. Impacts will be assessed in accordance with study discipline in line with recognzied metrics (see footnote*).
- Methodological Rigor: Research from the candidate during the last 10 years shows robustness with a clear validity of the research methods and data analysis techniques employed.
- Contribution to Knowledge: Research published by the candidate has advanced fundamental knowledge and understanding in the field of OA basic research during the last 10 years.
- Innovation and Collaboration: Candidate demonstrates originality and novelty within their research approach or discoveries that show clear potential to lead to future breakthroughs in the field of OA research.
Nominations are due by December 18, 2025.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Basic Science Research Award.
Rising Star Award
Two Rising Star Awards (one Basic and one Clinical Research)
Purpose: To recognize and promote exceptional early career researchers within basic and clinical research in the OA field. The winner receives travel support and complimentary Congress registration and will be provided time during the Opening Ceremony at World Congress for brief presentation remarks.
Criteria for application: OARSI members who received their terminal degree (e.g., PhD or equivalent) within 10 years of nomination deadline. Exceptions are made for leave related to career disruptions (e.g., parental or sick leave) or full-time clinical work. Current Board members, Nominating Committee members, Industry partners and designated representatives affiliated with companies involved in OARSI sponsorship, and previous winners of this award are not eligible.
Nomination Process: Self-nomination or nomination by OARSI members. Nominating Committee members are not eligible to submit nominations or letters of recommendation.
Nomination Requirements: Up to two letters of recommendation (each up to two A4 pages with at least one from outside the candidate's home institution) and CV of the candidate (up to three A4 pages). Within the above (CV and/or letter), there should be an impact statement highlighting 3-5 impactful papers, where the candidate is senior author on at least one paper and reflecting evaluation criteria (see footnote on iimpact assessment).
Evaluation Criteria:
- Innovation and Potential: Candidate demonstrates innovative approaches and ideas with potential for future contributions to the field of OA basic/clinical research.
- Achievement: Candidate has successfully negotiated early career challenges demonstrating significant achievements and scientific contributions within the OA field.
- Impact: Significant impactful contributions to the field of OA basic/clinical research (see footnote*).
- Adaptability and Growth: The candidate demonstrates ability to adapt to new challenges, address new opportunities and grow professionally.
Nominations are due by December 18, 2025.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Rising Star Award.
* Footnote:
Assessment of impact will be made across the following areas (Note: provides framework rather than precise scoring system) with due consideration to scientific discipline:
1. Research Contributions may include evidence of:
- Pioneering discoveries
- High-impact publications
- Citation number
2. Clinical Impacts may include evidence of:
- Adopted therapies, diagnostics, or international guidelines.
- Role in high-impact clinical trials
- Influence on clinical practice.
3. Innovation & Technology Development impacts may include evidence of:
- Patents, commercialized products, or breakthrough innovations (e.g., regenerative medicine).
- Development of promising diagnostic/therapeutic tools under evaluation.
- Early-stage innovations with potential for application.
4. Knowledge Dissemination & Education impacts may include evidence of:
- International recognition as a thought leader through authored textbooks/guidelines, invited keynotes.
- A strong mentorship record.
- Other engagement activities e.g. podcasts, on line seminars, media outlets
5. Policy & Public Health Impacts may include evidence of:
- Leadership in shaping national/international OA policy or prevention programs.
- Contributions to guidelines or health strategies.
6. Collaborative & Global Reach impacts may include evidence of:
- Role in global consortia
- Collaborative interdisciplinary research
Scholarships
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