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Career Development Research Awards 

Career Development Research Award Recipient

Establishing a productive research career in rheumatology is largely dependent upon the availability of major research funding.

Increasing concerns over the decline in federal funding for rheumatology research have forced many investigators to reconsider their careers, which leads to fewer researchers making important discoveries necessary to advance treatments and find cures.

The Career Development Research Awards are designed to encourage early and mid-career investigators to continue vital research into the cause, prevention and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Investigators interested in using data from the ACR’s RISE registry as part of their proposed research project need to get their data use request approved before applying for funding. Please visit RISE for Research for more information on RISE data. RISE data requests should be submitted at least 2 months prior to the Foundation’s application deadline.

Scientist Development Award

Support for individuals in the early stages of their career or those without significant prior research experience.

Purpose
Encourage rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals to pursue innovative research ideas

Award Amount
Up to $225,000

Award Term
Up to 3 Years

Letter of Intent
In order to help recruit the most appropriate peer reviewers and assist with study section assignments, applicants are required to submit a brief, non-binding Letter of Intent to the Foundation by July 1, 2025. Submit here

Notice of Special Interest - LRA/RRF Empowering Lupus Research Partnership
This cycle, in partnership with the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the Rheumatology Research Foundation (RRF) is pleased to issue a notice of special interest (NOSI) to highlight the availability of funds aimed towards driving the discovery and development of next generation lupus diagnostics and curative treatments. Please note that this NOSI complements but does not replace the RRF’s annual programs. Funded projects via this partnership will be in addition to those funded via the standard Scientist Development Award and Investigator Award.

Application Deadline
The application deadline has passed.

View Request for Applications

Investigator Award

Support for junior investigators to conduct innovative research

Purpose
Encourage junior investigators in the period between completing post-doctoral fellowship training; while being competitive for more significant funding and establishing themselves as independent investigators

Award Amount
$375,000

Award Term
3 Years

Letter of Intent
In order to help recruit the most appropriate peer reviewers and assist with study section assignments, applicants are required to submit a brief, non-binding Letter of Intent to the Foundation by July 1, 2025. Submit here

Notice of Special Interest - LRA/RRF Empowering Lupus Research Partnership
This cycle, in partnership with the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the Rheumatology Research Foundation (RRF) is pleased to issue a notice of special interest (NOSI) to highlight the availability of funds aimed towards driving the discovery and development of next generation lupus diagnostics and curative treatments. Please note that this NOSI complements but does not replace the RRF’s annual programs. Funded projects via this partnership will be in addition to those funded via the standard Scientist Development Award and Investigator Award.

Application Deadline
The application deadline has passed.

View Request for Applications

Funding for this award is provided in part by the Stanford L. Peng, MD, PhD and Andrea Peng Endowed Award.

Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Bridge

Support to continue conducting research while reapplying for an NIH or VA career development award; applicants must have a funding decision in order to apply

Purpose
Encourage junior investigators to continue conducting research into novel ideas while revising outstanding career development award applications

Award Amount
$75,000

Award Term
1 Year

Application Deadline
Applications are due by March 2, 2026 by 5 PM ET.

View Request for Applications

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THIS DEADLINE: 
To support investigators who intended to submit a K or R Bridge in December but were unable to obtain review feedback in October or November due to the government shutdown, the Foundation is offering an additional emergency application deadline: March 2, 2026.

Who is Eligible for the March 2 Deadline?
The March deadline is reserved exclusively for investigators who were adversely affected by the government shutdown and therefore could not receive a summary statement in time to meet the initial December 1 deadline. Applicants must have a summary statement dated October 1, 2025, or later.

Apply Now

Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Supplement

A supplement to the NIH or VA career development awards

Purpose
Encourage junior investigators to expand promising research by providing additional support to cover research costs and help investigators become independent

Award Amount
$100,000

Award Term
2 Years

Application Deadline
The application deadline has passed.

View Request for Applications

Career Development Bridge Funding Award: R Bridge

Support for promising investigators who are at risk of running out of research funding and are revising outstanding NIH R01 or VA RCS/ORD award applications

Purpose
Support established independent investigators to continue conducting research into novel ideas while revising their outstanding NIH or equivalent grant applications

Award Amount
$100,000

Award Term
1 Year

Application Deadline
Applications are due March 2, 2026 by 5 PM ET.

View Request for Applications

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THIS DEADLINE: 
To support investigators who intended to submit a K or R Bridge in December but were unable to obtain review feedback in October or November due to the government shutdown, the Foundation is offering an additional emergency application deadline: March 2, 2026.

Who is Eligible for the March 2 Deadline?
The March deadline is reserved exclusively for investigators who were adversely affected by the government shutdown and therefore could not receive a summary statement in time to meet the initial December 1 deadline. Applicants must have a summary statement dated October 1, 2025, or later.

Apply Now

 

 

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