Funding Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation Research Program seeks to maximize the impact of its research investment by focusing in three principle disease areas - Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Juvenile Arthritis. The Foundation supports high-quality, peer-reviewed research in these targeted areas.

Special Request for Application

The Arthritis Foundation is soliciting applications for a Proof of Feasibility study. The aim is to demonstrate the ability of a multi-institutional consortium to consistently assess the cartilage matrix of knees with acute ACL injuries using MRI and biochemical measures. The proposed approach must assess the usefulness of selected imaging technologies that can be applied for evaluation of patients within 10 days of an initial ACL tear and at selected time intervals thereafter. Plans to collect biosamples, including blood, urine and synovial fluid, suitable for assessing cartilage metabolism at selected time intervals following the injury must be included. The injured joint must be fully assessed arthroscopically at the time of any reconstructive surgery. The overall goal of this feasibility trial is to provide a foundation for future multicenter clinical trials of compounds potentially useful in treating acute joint trauma, and early osteoarthritis (OA).

Read more about this $1Million grant and learn how to apply. Application Deadline was April 15, 2013.

Grants We Offer

Application Deadline

New Requests for Application will be released June 3, 2013.

Innovative Research Grant

The Arthritis Foundation's Innovative Research Grant (IRG) program exists to stimulate new approaches to solving arthritis, particularly in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Osteoarthritis (OA), and Juvenile Arthritis (JA). The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the lives of people touched by these diseases. The program supports basic and clinical research of independent investigators. IRGs are for the support of research projects that can be accomplished within a period of up to two years. Funding is provided up to a level of $100,000 per year for no more than two years. The award amount includes indirect costs not to exceed 8 percent per year. These grants typically cover the cost of salaries, consumable supplies, equipment, travel and other items to conduct the proposed research. Applicants must be independent, self-directed researchers for whom the institution provides space and other resources. Project duration and funding levels should be appropriate to the research described but should not exceed these limits.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals with doctoral degrees (MD, PhD, DO or equivalent) at the assistant professor level or higher at U.S. institutions, including for-profit organizations, are eligible to apply. Individuals at the NIH and CDC are not eligible to apply. Multi-institutional collaborations are encouraged. These multi-institutional proposals may include collaborators from outside the United States but the lead institution must be based in the USA.

Citizenship

Principal Investigator must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of application.

Program Guidelines

New Requests for Application will be released June 3, 2013. 

TRAINING AWARDS

Training Awards are intended to provide support for young investigators at the beginning of their research careers as they investigate questions related to arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. The institution or supervisor is expected to provide any additional needed support. 

Clinical to Research Transition Award (CRTA)

This award is for MDs/DOs who are clinically trained in adult or pediatric rheumatology and intend to pursue a research career in academic rheumatology. The award is designed to allow candidates to gain initial research experience in preparation for application for mentored awards requiring research experience and productivity such as the Rheumatology Research Foundation Scientist Development Award, the Rheumatology Research Foundation Investigator Award, NIH Mentored Career Development Award (K23, K08) or other similar awards. CRTA funds may be used to supplement salary derived from an NIH T32 Training Grant. The award amount is $60,000 per year, for salary/fringe benefits or research related expenses as needed. Indirect costs are not allowed.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants may not simultaneously accept the CRTA and another mentored training award. However, if the applicant subsequently applies for and receives a mentored training award (see above), the CRTA may be re-budgeted and funded for a second year. The CRTA will not be allowed to continue if the awardee received individual research funding (R03, R21, R01, VA Merit). Applicants must be within the final year of training leading to board eligibility for either pediatric or adult rheumatology or be within a two-year time limit after completion of clinical training and have less than two years of research experience (defined as a minimum of seventy-five percent time devoted to conducting research) when funding beings on July 1, 2013. Candidates holding PhD or MD/PhD degrees are not eligible, but those holding Masters degrees who meet the other requirements are eligible.

Citizenship/Work Abroad

U.S. citizenship is not required but the applicant must hold a full-time appointment at a U.S. institution. Research may be conducted at institutions outside of the U.S.

Program Guidelines

New Requests for Application will be released June 3, 2013.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Provides support for individuals with PhD, MD or DVM degrees who are not eligible for CRTA awards. Funding is for a maximum period of two-years. A minimum of seventy-five percent time must be devoted to arthritis-focused research. The award amount is $50,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits or research-related costs. Indirect costs are not allowed.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Background - As of the beginning date of the award, individuals must have received a doctoral degree from an accredited institution.

Research Background - Applicants are not eligible after four years of post degree laboratory experience. This experience is counted from the completion of the terminal degree until the beginning date of the award (as early as July 1). Applicants will not count time spent in clinical training defined as more than 50% time in clinical activities. Individuals at or above the Assistant Professor level or those who have tenured positions are ineligible to apply for the award.

Citizenship/Work Abroad

Fellowships may be awarded to U.S. citizens for study abroad if it seems in the best interest of the candidate's future career. However, no provisions are made for travel expenses. Foreign citizens may be funded only if their training is conducted at a U.S. institution. Awards may not be transferred outside the U.S.

 Program Guidelines

New Requests for Application will be released June 3, 2013.

Doctoral Dissertation Award for Arthritis Health Professionals

Provides one or two years of salary and/or research support. The research project must be related to arthritis management and/or comprehensive patient care in rheumatology practice, research or education. Not for laboratory research. The award amount is $30,000 per year.

Eligibility Criteria

The Doctoral Dissertation Awards are designed for pre-doctoral students who will receive doctoral degrees from U.S. institutions. Applicants should be entering the research phase of their degree program. The thesis supervisor must approve the project which must be related to arthritis management, comprehensive patient care in rheumatology practice, or arthritis research. Suitable studies include, but are not limited to, functional, behavioral, nutritional, educational, occupational, or epidemiological aspects of patient care and management. Drug studies and laboratory in vitro studies are not appropriate. A candidate must have membership or eligibility for membership in his/her professional organization.

Citizenship/Work Abroad

US citizenship is required. Awards may be used to study abroad if it seems in the best interest of the candidate's future career and has approval from the degree granting U.S. institution. However, no provisions are made for travel expenses.

 Program Guidelines

APPLY NOW - Deadline has passed

New Investigator Award for Arthritis Health Professionals

New Investigator Awards are intended to provide the support for young Arthritis Health Professionals such as physical therapists as they initiate independent research related to arthritis. These grants typically cover the cost of salaries, consumable supplies, equipment, travel and other items to conduct the proposed research. Applicants must be establishing their first independent, self-directed laboratory for whom the institution provides space and other resources. The New Investigator Award provides funding for a period of up to two years and is not for wet bench laboratory research. Suitable studies include, but are not limited to, functional, behavioral, nutritional, occupational, or epidemiological aspects of patient care and management. The award amount is $50,000 per year.

Eligibility Criteria

New Investigator Grants are designed for individuals with a doctoral degree and demonstrated research experience related to arthritis and/or the care of patients with arthritis or education relevant to arthritis. These awards are limited to applicants who have received a doctoral degree within the last five years prior to the submission date. MDs and individuals at the NIH and CDC are not eligible. A candidate must have membership or eligibility for membership in his/her professional organization.

Citizenship/Work Abroad

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of application. Awards may not be transferred outside of the U.S.

Program Guidelines

APPLY NOW - Deadline has passed

Bridge Funding Award

The Arthritis Foundation and the Rheumatology Research Foundation have partnered to create the Bridge Funding Award to help foster investigators in the early stages of their career as they collect initial data to improve their NIH K08/K23 application for resubmission. Our intent is to provide up to one-year of bridge funding to support these promising applicants as they begin their projects and resubmit their applications. We believe this support will provide the encouragement—and the protected time—they need to succeed in obtaining their K awards, and ultimately, to become independent researchers.

For additional information and to apply, visit http://www.rheumatology.org/foundation/awards/bfa.asp