AF-AOSSM Shoulder Arthritis Think Tank Research Program RFP

Overview

AF-AOSSM Shoulder Arthritis Think Tank Research Program

This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites applications for investigator-initiated clinical research proposals to study interventions to stop or slow the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) related to shoulder pathology. Studies are encouraged to identify and utilize patients at high risk for rapidly progressing OA.  The principal investigator (PI) or a co-PI must be a practicing Orthopaedic surgeon, who is fellowship trained in sports medicine or shoulder and elbow, and a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).

The funding for this initiative is provided through a collaborative effort between the Arthritis Foundation’s OA Clinical Research Program and the AOSSM Research Committee.

Funding

This RFP invites research proposals for 3-year clinical research proposals with a budget of up to $500,000 over 3 years.

Eligibility

_We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().pdf).
_

_You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. The PI or co-PI is a practicing Orthopaedic surgeon, who is fellowship trained in sports medicine or shoulder and elbow, and a member of AOSSM._

Application Details

2025 AF-AOSSM Shoulder Arthritis Think Tank
Research Program
Request for Proposals (RFP)
I. RFP Overview
Participating Arthritis Foundation (AF)
Organization(s)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports
Medicine (AOSSM)
Components of AF Osteoarthritis Research Program, AOSSM
Participating Research Committee
Organizations
Funding 2025 AF-AOSSM Shoulder Arthritis Think Tank
Opportunity Title Research Program
Announcement New
Type
Funding 2025-OA-SATT-RFP, V.5
Opportunity
Announcement
Number
Funding This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites
Opportunity applications for investigator-initiated clinical
Purpose research proposals to study interventions to stop
or slow the development and progression of
osteoarthritis (OA) related to shoulder
pathology. Studies are encouraged to identify
and utilize patients at high risk for rapidly
progressing OA.
The goal of this funding mechanism is to support
preliminary research that will establish or
advance a programmatic line of research that
can eventually result in major external funding,
as well as to highlight promising innovative
interventions that may be advanced to Phase II
clinical trials for patients with or at risk of
developing shoulder OA.
The funding for this initiative is provided through
a collaborative effort between the Arthritis
Page 1 of 11

Foundation’s OA Clinical Research Program and
the AOSSM Research Committee.
Posted Date Dec. 1, 2024
Open Date Jan. 1, 2025
(Earliest
Submission
Date)
Letter of Intent Jan. 31, 2025
Due Date
Application Due Mar. 3, 2025
Date
All applications are due by 5:00 PM, Eastern
Time Zone. Applicants are encouraged to apply
early to allow adequate time to make any
corrections to errors found in the application
during the submission process by the due date.
Finalists Notified May 1, 2025
and Invited for
In-Person
Presentation
Finalist July, 2025 (on-site at AOSSM Conference)
Presentations
and Award
Announcement *Applicants selected as finalists will be required
to present their research strategy to a
committee from the Arthritis Foundation and
AOSSM in-person at the AOSSM Annual Meeting
in Nashville, TN, in July 2025. All funding decisions
will be made and announced by committee
members on site. Travel, lodging and
conference registration (conference registration
and attendance are optional, not required)
costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Earliest Project Oct., 2025
Start Date
Expiration Date This RFP will expire after ‘Application Due Date’
above.
II. RFP Information
A. Purpose and Objectives
This RFP invites research proposals for 3-year clinical research proposals with a
budget of up to $500,000 over 3 years. Proposals must be focused on shoulder
pathology and the development of osteoarthritis, addressing an important clinical
Page 2 of 11

problem that requires multicenter involvement. The goal of this funding mechanism is
to support studies that will establish or advance a programmatic line of research that
can become competitive for major external funding (e.g. NIH, PCORI, DOD).
Proposed research topics of interest may include, but are not limited to:
 Identification of cohorts that are at greater risk for the development of shoulder OA
such as:
o Overhead sport athletes, post-athletic shoulder OA
o History of rotator cuff tears/soft tissue pathology
o Shoulder instability and post-traumatic OA
o Shoulder morphology and glenohumeral OA
o Inflammatory markers and early development of shoulder OA
o Biomechanical markers and early development of shoulder OA
 New or improved interventions (e.g., surgical, biologic, pharmacologic, rehabilitation)
for shoulder OA
 Role of physical therapy in the management of OA, such as non-operative effects of
therapeutic rehabilitation on reducing shoulder pain, improving function/disability in
patients with GHOA
 Influence of mental health status on physical factors on functional recovery and
outcomes of patients presenting with shoulder OA
B. Background
The Arthritis Foundation (AF) and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
(AOSSM) convened a Think Tank ahead of the 2024 AOSSM Annual Meeting in
Denver, CO, focused on the treatment of shoulder arthritis. Invited clinicians and
scientists shared expertise highlighting the current state of clinical science in shoulder
pathology, identifying knowledge gaps, new innovations in treatment approaches,
challenges in research design and best practices related to multicenter clinical trials.
As a result, the AF and AOSSM are pleased to announce this RFP to address a critical
need in shoulder arthritis research. We expect that this collective effort prioritizes
potential immediate and long-term positive impact in the overall quality of life of the
patients who are at risk of developing or living with shoulder OA.
C. Applicants will be expected to
 The anticipated clinical impact of proposals must be clearly noted in the Specific
Aims and transparent in title and study design.
 Applicants notified with designation as a Finalist will be expected to attend the
AOSSM Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, to present their research strategy to members
of the review committee in-person. All funding decisions will be made and
announced by the committee on-site. Registration and attendance of the AOSSM
Annual Meeting are encouraged, but not required.
 Upon completion of the proposed project, the investigative team will have the ability
to publish results with the potential to impact future research projects and position the
team to secure external funding via long-term grants.
Page 3 of 11

 The PI or co-PI is a practicing Orthopaedic surgeon, who is fellowship trained in sports
medicine or shoulder and elbow, and a member of AOSSM.
 The PI is expected to expend at least 10-15% effort with dedicated research time and
can utilize the annual NIH salary cap in expenses. The home institution may augment
the PI beyond the salary cap with non-grant funds. Any cost-sharing provided by the
PI’s department requires a letter of support from the department head.
 Actively participate in AF and/or AOSSM meetings, which are expected to occur
annually. Meetings may be virtual or in-person.
 Present progress updates to AF Science staff and/or AOSSM Research Committee as
well as prepare detailed annual reports to be submitted as deliverables; subsequent
funding is contingent on completion of reports and demonstrated engagement and
research productivity.
III. Award Information & Eligibility Criteria
A. Award Details
Funding Instrument Arthritis Foundation Research Agreement
Application Types New
Allowed
Funds Available One $500,000 award over a 3-year period
and Anticipated
Number of Awards
Award Budget Application budgets must reflect the
actual needs of the proposed project.
Indirect costs (F&A) must be 8% or less as
per Arthritis Foundation policy.
Award Project 3 years
Period
Arthritis Foundation funds are primarily obtained from donations. The amount
available for scientific awards each year is determined by the success of the
fundraising efforts. Funds for awards are also derived from partnerships established by
the Arthritis Foundation, with other groups that share common interests, such as
AOSSM. Funds for subsequent years of a project, after the first, even if initially
approved, are contingent upon adequate scientific progress and available funds,
and are therefore subject to change. Studies should comply with clinical and
institutional review board (IRB) requirements. Proposals using animal studies are not
eligible for this funding mechanism.
B. Eligible organizations include:
Page 4 of 11

• Higher Education Institutions, including:
• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) and Non-domestic (non-U.S.)
components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
C. Eligible individuals, Principal Investigator (PI) and co-PI:
The named Principal Investigator (PI) or a co-PI must be a practicing Orthopaedic
surgeon, who is fellowship trained in sports medicine or shoulder and elbow, and a
member of AOSSM.
The Arthritis Foundation recognizes that a diverse and inclusive workforce is critical for
ensuring that the most creative minds can contribute to realizing our research goals
and to ensuring more equitable health outcomes for all. The Arthritis Foundation
encourages applications from a diverse pool of investigators with respect to race,
gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and disability. No AOSSM
Board officer (e.g., President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.) may be a
named investigator on any application.
IV. Proposal Evaluation Factors
A. Overall Impact
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the
likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research
field(s) involved, in consideration of the review criteria below.
B. Scored Review Criteria
Reviewers appointed by the Arthritis Foundation and AOSSM will consider each of the
review criteria below in the determination of the scientific merit and strategic
importance of each proposal, as they give a separate score for each factor, as well
as an overall score for the proposal. An application does not need to be strong in all
categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project
that by its nature is not original may be an important intervention to explore as an OA
intervention. The list of evaluation factors is presented below.
C. Significance
 Does the proposal address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in
the field?
 Is the prior research that serves as the key support for the proposed project
rigorous?
Page 5 of 11

 If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical
capability, and/or clinical practice be improved?
 How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods,
technologies, treatments, services, or interventions for OA patients?
 Is there an explanation of how this proposal is a necessary potential intervention
to explore to slow or stop the progression of OA?
D. Investigator(s)
 Are the PI(s) collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project?
 If Early-Career Investigators are proposed as PI, do they have appropriate
experience and training, as well as connections/collaborators to make sufficient
progress?
 If the PI(s) are established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of
accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)?
 If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have
complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach,
governance, and organizational structure appropriate for the project?
 An orthopaedic surgeon is required as co-investigator, if the surgeon is not a
PI/Co-I, to support enrollment goals if the approach involves a surgical
intervention.
 Do the key personnel possess appropriate and adequate knowledge and
experience in the field?
E. Innovation
 Does the proposed research project challenge and seek to shift current
paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical and practical concepts, approaches, or
methodologies?
 Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts,
approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
 Does the design/research plan include original elements, as appropriate, that
enhance its potential to advance scientific knowledge or clinical practice?
 Does the design/research plan consider the unique challenges of research in OA
patients?
F. Approach
 Are the overall proposed strategy and methodology well-reasoned and
appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project?
 If appropriate, have the investigators included plans to address lessons learned
from other similar initiatives?
Page 6 of 11

 Have the investigators presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased
approach, as appropriate for the work proposed?
 Is a robust statistical analysis plan included?
 Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success
presented?
 At the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will
particularly risky aspects during formative stage be adequately managed?
 Have the investigators presented an outline of the anticipated challenges and
how they propose to address them?
 Are potential ethical issues adequately addressed?
 Will outcomes collected allow investigators to assess who will get OA?
G. Environment
 Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the
probability of success?
 Are the institutional support, equipment, and other physical resources available to
the investigators adequate for the project proposed?
 Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject
populations, or collaborative arrangements?
 Are the administrative, enrollment, and laboratory/testing centers (if proposed),
appropriate for work proposed?
o The ability to enroll the target patients will be a focus.
H. Study Timeline
 For clinical trials, does the study timeline consider start-up activities, the
anticipated rate of enrollment, and planned follow-up assessment?
 Is the projected timeline feasible and well justified?
 Does the project incorporate efficiencies and other existing resources (e.g.,
CTSAs, practice-based research networks, electronic medical records,
administrative database, or patient registries) to increase the efficiency of
participant enrollment and data collection, as appropriate?
 Are potential challenges and corresponding solutions discussed (e.g., strategies
that can be implemented in the event of enrollment shortfalls)?
I. Additional Score Driving Review Considerations
1. Protections for Human Subjects
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the categories
of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the
Page 7 of 11

justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from
research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review
criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential
benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained,
and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
2. Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan
When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or clinical research, the
committee will evaluate the proposed plans for the inclusion (or exclusion) of
individuals based on sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or
exclusion) of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults) to determine
if it is justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed.
J. Non-Score Driving Review Considerations
As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following
items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in
providing an overall impact score.
1. Resource Sharing Plans
The research team should demonstrate the ability to successfully comply with the
Arthritis Foundation Data and Resource Sharing Policies.
2. Budget and Period of Support
Reviewers will consider whether the budget, staffing plan and the requested period
of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed statement of
work. Indirect costs (F&A) must be 8% or less as per Arthritis Foundation policy.
V. General Application and Submission Information
A. Submission
All applications should be submitted using the Arthritis Foundation online portal
(ProposalCentral) for this program, available at
https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp. All applications should be
submitted by 5:00 PM Eastern time on the deadline date. Any application submitted
after deadline, incomplete, or failing to otherwise adhere to instructions will be
administratively declined.
The ProposalCentral platform does not check for page length or other formatting
requirements. If any instructions are not followed, proposals will not be peer reviewed.
Accuracy and completeness of the content including following maximum space
limits, formatting and other instructions are the responsibility of the applicant. The
signature page must be electronically signed, and applicants must click the ‘submit’
button on ProposalCentral prior to the deadline as no late submissions will be
accepted. Once the application is submitted, applicants will receive an
automatically generated confirmation email that the application was submitted.
Please, plan to submit your application in advance of the deadline to allow time for
any submission process troubleshooting required of the applicant.
Page 8 of 11

B. Letter of Intent
Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) (two-page limit) that describes the fit of your idea to
the overarching goals of this program and outline at a high level the impact you
expect from the work. LOIs will be evaluated to confirm each applicant’s eligibility for
subsequent application submission. Additionally, the information provided will allow
AF Staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
Prospective applicants are also asked to provide in the LOI:
• Descriptive title of proposed activity
• Name(s), address(es), emails, and role(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s) and other key
personnel
• Participating institution(s) – subcontracts of lead institution to other institutions are
allowed, but must be indicated in the letter
• General project aims and expected impact
• Estimated budget request for the proposed work
The LOI must be submitted through the ProposalCentral portal.
C. Formatting and Page Limits
For both the LOI and the proposal submission, please follow the format requirements.
Margins should be greater than or equal to 1/2" on all sides. Font should be Arial of
size no less than 11 points. Applications must be written in English and formatted such
that, if printed, would print to 8.5” x 11” paper. PDF file formats are preferred. Editing
permissions must not be restricted and files must not be password protected.
Proposals need to adhere to a strict limit of 6 pages, single-spaced. The page limits
do not include the appendix of additional biosketches, references, and letters of
support.
D. Research Proposal Layout
Applicants are encouraged to use the suggested layout below:
 Technical Proposal
o Project Summary: A paragraph that emphasizes the key attributes of the
proposed program at the start of the proposal
o Scientific Background and Research Plan: This section summarizes the
overall importance of the proposed work, including the problem
statement, hypothesis and when available, the preliminary results, plus a list
of the Specific Aims, Proposed Approach and Specific Methodology,
including a Statistical Plan, a detailed study timeline, Alternative
Hypotheses & Pitfalls, and Rationale and Fit with RFP Purpose & Objectives
 Description of Key Personnel - Proposed PI, and proposed Team Governance
Structure
Page 9 of 11

 Additional Information – any additional information relevant to the Review Criteria
listed above
 An Appendix, which is not a part of the page count restrictions should include:
o NIH-formatted biosketches for all Principal Investigator(s), Co-Principal
Investigator(s), and all Co-Investigator(s) (limit 5 pages per biosketch; please
combine all biosketches into one PDF with the PI(s) biosketch listed first.)
o Letters of Support – recommended from collaborators, mentors and institution
o Current and Pending support for all Principal Investigator(s), Co-Principal
Investigator(s), and all Co-Investigator(s)
o References
E. Budget
In the Budget Section of the proposal document, please include a budget, which
includes investigator effort and is supported by a letter from your division chief
documenting that % effort is available and confirming investigator salary. The
proposed budget can include up to 8% indirect (F&A) expenses within the total
budget amount, if necessary.
The page limit for the Budget Section of the proposal document, including the
budget justification, is 5 pages for each type of proposal format (not including the
letters of support).
F. Publication
AOSSM’s first right of publication of grantee(s) research findings resulting from AOSSM
grants are reserved for consideration of publication by the Editorial Board of The
American Journal of Sports Medicine. AOSSM should be sent reprints of all papers
and publications resulting from work done under an AOSSM grant, including those
that appear after the grant has been terminated.
The following acknowledgment must appear as a footnote on the first page of the
manuscript or printed text: “SUPPORTED BY A GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN
ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY FOR SPORTS MEDICINE and THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION.” The
same credit line must be included when the grantee(s) presents a paper at a
professional or scientific meeting based on a study funded by AOSSM.
VI. Selection Process and Award Management
A. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated for scientific merit by a Scientific Review Committee,
convened by the Arthritis Foundation and AOSSM, and using the above stated
review criteria. As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will receive a
written critique in ProposalCentral. Only those applications deemed to have the
highest scientific and technical merit will be discussed and assigned an overall
impact score. A final discussion of the review committee may be required to
Page 10 of 11

recommend a list of the final applicants to be considered for award. The following
factors will be considered in making final AF-AOSSM funding decisions:
 Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific
peer review;
o Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities
o Availability of funds.
A formal email notification will be provided to the applicants considered finalists for
the award. Finalists will be required to present their research strategy to committee
members from the Arthritis Foundation and AOSSM in-person at the AOSSM Annual
Meeting in Nashville, TN, in July 2025. All funding decisions will be made by committee
members on site. Please note that any travel and lodging costs are the responsibility
of the applicant. A finalist notification is not an authorization to begin performance.
Any costs incurred before receipt of notice of award are at the recipient's risk.
B. Award Management and Reporting
After the award has been made, awardees will be required to submit Annual
Progress Reports and Annual Accounting Reports via the ProposalCentral platform in
addition to a final report once the project is complete. Annual reports on work
progress will be expected in presentation form to be given to the Steering Committee
and fellow colleagues during meetings via teleconference. Individual awards are
based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the AF and are subject
to the specific terms and conditions identified in the notice of award. Additional
regulations that need to be observed include the registration of clinical trials within 21
days of protocol approval on ClinicalTrials.gov.
All awardees must acknowledge the support from this funding mechanism in all
presentations and publications related to this project by including the following
language: “The authors wish to acknowledge the Arthritis Foundation and the
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine financial support for this work.”
Any publications supported in full or in part by this funding must also cite the grant
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) that will be assigned at the time of award activation.
C. Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the
opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
For general grants information and with questions regarding application instructions,
application, and processes, please email: AFscience@arthritis.org
For questions regarding attendance to the AOSSM Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN,
please email:
Lynette Craft: lynette@aossm.org
Page 11 of 11