Chronic pain is a complex problem requiring innovative solutions. Through funding high quality research and collaborations, CPCoE stands committed to generating and mobilizing knowledge about Veterans’ experience of pain and the best treatment options. This research aims to transform the landscape of pain care and improve the lives of Veterans, and their family members, living with chronic pain.

The CPCoE develops its funding opportunities through a priority setting process. This priority setting model ensures that all research undertaken by CPCoE is informed by Veterans, and their families, living with chronic pain.

At the core of all CPCoE activities is the principle of Veteran engagement. Consultation and engagement with Veterans, which includes an Advisory Council for Veterans (ACV) to advise on research priorities, began prior to establishing the organization and continues as a guiding principle. This ongoing engagement helps develop a deeper and more thorough understanding of the day-to-day challenges that Veterans and their families face because of their experiences with chronic pain. That understanding is used to shape research to ensure that it will have a genuine, practical, and positive impact on the well-being of Veterans and their families.

The process begins with CPCoE soliciting issues of relevance from Veterans, their families, and healthcare providers. The issues submitted are then examined against the current evidence landscape to establish research uncertainties. These uncertainties are then prioritized by the ACV in a priority setting meeting. The resulting priorities are developed into funding opportunities

In 2025, the CPCoE completed a priority setting process utilizing the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership model. The PSP resulted in a new set of gold, silver, and bronze research priorities which guide all of the CPCoE’s research activities.