Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Research and Training Receive Latest Investment

Rheumatology Research Foundation Announces Recipients of 80+ Education, Training and Research Awards

July 1, 2015

ATLANTA – The Rheumatology Research Foundation is awarding more than 80 grants to a wide range of trainees and professionals across the country in the field of rheumatology. The grants will fund essential education, training and research into arthritis and rheumatic diseases, which cause inflammation in a person’s joints and musculoskeletal system. More than 52 million adults in the U.S. have arthritis, and, in all, arthritis and rheumatic diseases are the number one cause of disability in the country, according to the CDC.

In the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016), the Foundation will fund an estimated 265 awards, totaling nearly $13.2 million, aimed at improving the health of people with rheumatic diseases. While some awards will support the education and training of future rheumatology professionals, others will fund innovative research projects that will lead to breakthroughs in treating people with rheumatic diseases.

One example is the Disease Targeted Research Pilot Grant, which encourages established investigators to begin tests of unique research ideas into rheumatoid arthritis and related autoinflammatory diseases by providing seed funds to gather preliminary data. Another award, the Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Supplement, encourages junior investigators to expand promising research by providing additional support to cover research costs and help investigators become independent. Additionally, the Fellowship Training Awards support the training of future rheumatologists, doctors specially trained in the conditions, to provide a more robust and highly-trained workforce to care for people with rheumatic diseases.

The latest award recipients applied for their grants last year. The applications were closely examined by experts in different areas of the field to ensure awards went to the most promising studies and programs. Recipients of the remaining awards will be announced later this year.

The Foundation is able to provide this critical funding because of generous donations. On average, 90 cents of every dollar given to the Foundation is directly invested in its awards program. The Foundation has a four-star rating, the highest awarded, for the sixth consecutive year from Charity Navigator. Only three percent of all charities have maintained a four-star rating for six straight years.

Supporting the Foundation’s awards program provides a powerful way for rheumatology professionals to give back to and help enhance their field. “As an award recipient, I know firsthand how funding from the Foundation can be integral to conducting novel research that will lead to important breakthroughs,” says Jon Giles, MD, MPH. “And as a donor, it’s an honor to help support and train the next generation of rheumatology professionals.”

Learn more about the exciting work being done by the latest recipients of Foundation funding.