The Foundation’s financial support for this type of research project on the pathogenesis of RA is “absolutely key” if the earliest signs of the disease are to be unearthed, Dr. Mikuls stresses.
“It is a very difficult time for funding, from the federal government and other sources. It is the tightest and most competitive environment in a decade. It is nice to have a disease-focused research grant, where the people reviewing your research really get it,” he says. “They understand the potential impact of your work. Rheumatologists often are underrepresented on national study sections, but we care so much about our patients. I think our community sees that our patients are affected so adversely by their disease, and so the Foundation driving the research agenda in this area is really making a positive impact.”
Rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator, the Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to advance rheumatology research and training to improve the health of people with rheumatic disease. To learn more about the Rheumatology Research Foundation, please visit www.rheumatology.org/Foundation or contact us at [email protected].
