AbbVie Launches Second Annual Migraine Career Catalyst Award to Empower People with Migraine in Pursuit of Their Professional Dreams
Pharmaceutical company AbbVie has announced the return of its AbbVie Migraine Career Catalyst Award™, a unique initiative designed to support individuals living with migraine as they strive to achieve their educational and career ambitions. Now in its second year, the contest invites applications from across the United States, offering 20 individuals living with migraine the opportunity to receive a $2,500 financial award to use toward professional or personal development.
This national initiative is part of AbbVie’s broader commitment to empowering people living with migraine by addressing not only the medical burden of the disease but also the social and professional limitations it often imposes. Through the Migraine Career Catalyst Award, AbbVie aims to provide more than just financial assistance—it hopes to foster greater understanding, visibility, and advocacy for those navigating the complexities of migraine in their daily lives, particularly within the workplace.
Addressing an Invisible Yet Debilitating Condition
Migraine is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions worldwide, affecting over one billion people. It is also one of the most disabling diseases on a global scale. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, migraine ranks as the second leading cause of disability globally, underscoring its profound and often overlooked impact on quality of life, productivity, and socioeconomic outcomes.
Despite its widespread prevalence, migraine remains a misunderstood and frequently stigmatized condition, especially in professional environments. Symptoms such as debilitating headaches, nausea, cognitive dysfunction, and hypersensitivity to light and sound can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to function at work. Many individuals continue to perform their job duties while enduring these symptoms, a phenomenon known as “presenteeism.” Data suggest that nearly 90% of the productivity loss associated with migraine happens while individuals are still at work but functioning below their normal capacity due to ongoing symptoms.
Moreover, research from AbbVie reveals that more than half of individuals with chronic migraine—a severe form defined by headache occurrences on 15 or more days per month—report negative impacts on their careers. These challenges include limited job prospects, fewer advancement opportunities, and the inability to work full-time or in desired roles. As such, initiatives like the Migraine Career Catalyst Award are not only timely but necessary to support this often-overlooked patient population.
A Voice for Advocacy and Awareness
Carl Cincinnato, executive director of Migraine at Work—a nonprofit initiative of the World Health Education Foundation focused on improving workplace environments for individuals with migraine—praised the return of the award program. “Migraine can be an invisible barrier to success in the workplace where the condition is often misunderstood or stigmatized,” said Cincinnato. “Initiatives like the AbbVie Migraine Career Catalyst Award not only provide financial support but also serve as a powerful form of advocacy for people living with migraine.”
By highlighting personal stories and empowering individuals to pursue their ambitions, AbbVie’s program seeks to shift public perceptions and workplace policies. It aims to help create a more inclusive environment where people living with migraine are not only acknowledged but also supported in meaningful and tangible ways.
A Platform for Empowerment and Growth
Jag Dosanjh, senior vice president and president of neuroscience and eye care at AbbVie, emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by people living with migraine beyond medication alone. “Migraine can create significant challenges in the workplace that can limit career opportunities and growth,” said Dosanjh. “As part of our ongoing commitment to those living with migraine, we’re pleased to continue the AbbVie Migraine Career Catalyst Award contest for the second year in a row. We aim to go beyond treatment and provide meaningful support that empowers individuals to move forward with confidence.”
This award program is rooted in AbbVie’s belief that true healthcare solutions must also consider the lived experiences of patients, particularly those whose conditions intersect with broader societal barriers like workplace bias or limited access to professional development resources. By offering financial support tailored to individual needs, AbbVie is giving people the tools to build a better future on their own terms.
Inspiring Success Stories from the Inaugural Year
Last year’s inaugural contest drew entries from across the country, with winners hailing from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds. Each recipient used their $2,500 award to invest in their career in ways that were personally meaningful and strategically impactful.
Some winners used the funds to create migraine-friendly workspaces in their homes, purchasing ergonomic equipment or investing in light-filtering technology to reduce symptom triggers. Others attended professional conferences, workshops, or continuing education courses to expand their skill sets and grow their professional networks. A number of recipients chose to pursue certifications and training programs that could help them advance in their current fields or pivot to new careers that better accommodate their health needs.
One such winner, Melody B., shared how the award transformed her professional trajectory. “Despite migraine, I found my passion in Human Resources,” she said. “This award has allowed me to pursue training and certifications in both HR and project management. With these credentials, I hope to enhance the employee experience and create a better workplace for all.” Her story exemplifies how the right support at the right time can unlock potential, even in the face of chronic health challenges.
How to Apply
The application process for the 2025 AbbVie Migraine Career Catalyst Award is designed to be accessible and inclusive. Individuals living with migraine are invited to submit a personal story in the form of an essay (up to 3,000 characters), a video (up to three minutes), or an audio clip (also up to three minutes). Applicants are asked to describe their experience living with migraine, articulate their career goals, and explain how receiving this award would help them overcome challenges or take the next step in their professional journey.
All entries will be reviewed, and 20 selected winners will receive a $2,500 award. These funds can be applied toward a wide variety of uses—whether it’s enrolling in a certification course, purchasing tools or equipment for a home office, attending a professional development event, or pursuing other forms of career advancement.
Applicants can also visit the official website to read about past winners, gain inspiration from their journeys, and learn more about how the award has helped others achieve growth, resilience, and confidence in the face of migraine.
AbbVie’s second annual Migraine Career Catalyst Award™ contest is more than a competition—it’s a growing movement that affirms the capabilities, resilience, and aspirations of people living with migraine. It challenges outdated perceptions and invites workplaces and communities to reimagine what inclusion truly looks like for individuals managing chronic conditions.
By offering real support for real people, AbbVie continues to show that progress in healthcare must go hand-in-hand with progress in society. Through this initiative, it is helping ensure that migraine no longer remains a hidden barrier to success, but rather a condition met with empathy, understanding, and meaningful opportunity.
