In this part of “Be In The KNOW: Pain Research Then, Now & Next,” Dr. Janelle Letzen (USASP program manager) and Dr. Laura Wandner (clinical health psychologist) discuss how pain research has evolved—what’s changed, what’s driving progress, and how patients are helping shape what’s next. They highlight shifting funding priorities, key initiatives like NIH HEAL and PCORI, and the growing importance of lived experience in research design.