We’re excited to share promising news for the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) community: the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has confirmed that Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes has been named as one of 56 eligible topic areas for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), a competitive grant program that will distribute approximately $150 million in funding by September 30th.
Historical Background
Originally established by Congress in FY 2014, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program (OPORP), a component of CDMRP, was designed to improve outcomes for Service Members, Veterans, and civilians with limb loss or limb difference. Its core mission was to evaluate clinically available O&P devices, enhance daily functioning, improve return-to-duty potential, and develop tools and methodologies to measure outcomes effectively. Despite the success of OPORP, which contributed over $120 million into O&P outcomes research over a ten-year period, dedicated funding was sunset in FY 2023.
Advocacy Efforts to Reinstate Funding
In response to the OPORP sunsetting, the national O&P organizations worked together to advocate for the reinstatement of funding for O&P outcomes research by sharing real-world examples of how previously CDMRP-funded research helped advance patient outcomes. The O&P Alliance worked with several House and Senate legislators to seek funding under DOD for FY 2025. The Senate did not reinstate dedicated funding, but included in its appropriations report very favorable language authorizing the CDMRP program to include O&P outcomes research in a pool of funding for competitively awarded grants. Although non-binding on DOD, the report language is instructive to the agency and is seriously considered by the agencies. The report language reads as follows:
Peer-Reviewed Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program. — The Committee encourages the Assistant Secretary of Defense to continue research on orthotics and prosthetics outcomes and improve care for servicemembers and others with limb loss and impairment. The Committee further encourages the Assistant Secretary of Defense to include evidence-based practices that can evaluate which orthotic and prosthetic interventions can provide the most improvement in servicemembers’ health status, functionality, quality of life, and be consistent with the Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program long-range strategic plan published by the CDMRP in 2023.
Most recently, the Amputee Coalition, through its work with the Defense Health Research Consortium (DHRC), was able to secure participation in a congressional briefing hosted by Representatives Mike Levin (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) held April 3, 2025. Retired Army Ranger Bill Dunham and Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP(D), shared perspectives on behalf of the patient and researcher communities about how CDMRP-funded research has led to important breakthroughs and changed the lives of so many patients.
A Win for the Profession – and an Opportunity to Lead
The inclusion of O&P in the FY 2025 funding bill is a significant win for the profession and a testament to the strength of our unified advocacy efforts. Inclusion of the report language cited above reopens opportunities for O&P researchers to compete for outcomes research grants that will advance the evidence base for O&P care and improve outcomes for individuals with limb loss and limb difference.
Program announcements are expected to be released soon. When they are, we encourage researchers to take advantage of the opportunity by submitting high-quality proposals that will elevate the profession and directly benefit patients. Our hope is that they will also help demonstrate the continued need for investment in this area and position our field for future funding opportunities. To monitor the status of the program announcement, visit the CDMRP website. A follow-up email will also be sent to the profession.
Powering Progress – Advancing O&P Care through Research
We extend our sincere gratitude to Ashlie White, MA, the Amputee Coalition’s Chief Strategy and Programs Officer, Dr. Wurdeman, and Retired Army Ranger Dunham for their efforts and participation at the recent CDMRP Congressional Briefing. The remarks shared on behalf of the O&P community helped shine a spotlight on the critical need for O&P-focused research funding. We would also like to thank Brian Hafner, PhD for his contributions as well. All these coordinated efforts had a significant impact on this positive milestone in our joint advocacy.
As we look to the future, we are energized by the possibilities this funding presents but also recognize the need to continue advocating for O&P research funding in the face of serious funding challenges across the federal government. While O&P researchers can strongly compete with researchers in other fields, we will continue to emphasize the importance of restoring a separate, dedicated source of funding through OPORP within CDMRP. Together, the O&P profession’s continued collaboration on advocacy and research is driving meaningful change. Let’s keep the momentum going.
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- Amputee Coalition (AC)
- American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP)
- American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC)
- American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
- Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC)
- National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP)
- The Orthotic and Prosthetic Foundation for Education and Research (The O&P Foundation)