Rheumatology Research Foundation Offers Innovative Research Award for Community Practitioners

Funding is now available for clinicians who are engaged in patient care and interested in conducting research.
Amber Wilburn

The Rheumatology Research Foundation is now offering the Innovative Research Award for Community Practitioners; tailored for physicians interested in disease investigation, it supports research ideas specific to clinical practice. The distinct perspective of clinical rheumatologists opens a window of opportunity for disease investigation that merits support for novel research. With the increasing prevalence of rheumatic disease, physicians have the potential to provide personal insight into epigenetic and genetic factors of pathogenesis and progression.

The Innovative Research Award for Community Practitioners is created to encourage clinical investigation among practicing rheumatologists, who may not be accustomed to submitting grant applications. The simplified application process is for funding amounts ranging from $100,000 to $400,000. Qualified projects may include, but are not limited to, outcomes-based research, observational studies, practice supply-and-demand analysis, patient communication studies and health services research.

Of the clinicians who are funded, one will receive the Norman B. Gaylis, MD, Research Award for Rheumatologists in Community Practice. The Norman B. Gaylis, MD, designation was established in 2015 with a generous commitment from Dr. Gaylis, who was inducted into the Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors for his dedication to advancing patient care. The Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council will choose an outstanding recipient of the Innovative Research Award for Community Practitioners to receive the designation.

The award has a funding period of two years and will amount to $50,000 to $200,000 per year. Final applications for the Innovative Research Award for Community Practitioners must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, July 3, 2017.

For further details on requirements and the submission process, visit www.rheumresearch.org/apply.