Biomedical Research

Female research scientist looking into a microscope. iStock photo. Credit: gorodenkoff

Osteopathic and allopathic physicians and scientific investigators conduct biomedical research to understand the causes of diseases and to develop treatments and preventive measures to advance patient care and safety. While biomedical research has led to many years of groundbreaking treatments, it is needed more now than ever as new diseases emerge that threaten the health and safety of various populations.

Are you interested in becoming an osteopathic physician-scientist? Explore the career option of an osteopathic physician-scientist and the biomedical research programs available through the member colleges of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) that are training the next generation of scientists and physicians.

  Building Communities

AACOM has several councils, committees and special interest or affinity groups comprised of faculty, administrators, staff, students, physicians and other professionals in the osteopathic medical community who work in biomedical research or support scientific investigators at their colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs).

Group members receive benefits such as leadership and professional development, networking opportunities, collaboration and recommendations rooted in evidence-based outcomes on how to improve or advance biomedical research programs at their COMs. 

Consider joining one of these vital AACOM groups.

Osteopathic Physician-Scientists Engagement Network (OPEN)

This AACOM interest group, composed of administrators, physician-scientists, DO/PhD program directors and trainees, supports and promotes the development and nurturing of physician-scientists by representing the interests of DO/PhD programs and research-focused osteopathic physicians and trainees throughout the continuum of their research careers.

More about OPEN


Council of Osteopathic Researchers (COR)

AACOM's Council of Osteopathic Researchers (COR) supports and coordinates medical education research efforts, focusing on teaching/learning issues as well as institutional research at osteopathic medical schools.

More about COR


Recent Research News

Engagement & Resources

Jun 29, 2026, 12:00 by AACOM Government Relations
Engagement and Resources section of AACOM's OME Advocate Newsletter.

Join the HHS Health Care Education Challenge: Applications are open for HHS Health Care Education Challenge, which supports scalable, evidence-based approaches to integrating nutrition education into medical and nursing programs. The challenge includes tracks for both established and developing programs, with up to $2.1 million in total prizes available for eligible medical schools, residency programs and nursing programs. Applications are due September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Learn more.

 

Apply to the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program: Apply for up to $100,000 in loan repayment through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program. Applications are accepted through June 30, 2026, 7:30 PM ET. Learn more.

 

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant: Applications for this grant, which supports the training of postdoctoral researchers in health, biomedical and behavioral services related to primary care close on July 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Twenty grants are expected; maximum awards are $500,000. Learn more.

 

Apply for the Medical Student Education Program: This program awards funding to public medical schools that are in the top quartile of states with projected primary care provider shortages. Applications are open until September 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET for the program, which will provide $13 million to eight schools over five years. Learn more.