Arthritis Foundation, AOFAS Continue Partnership to Fuel Ankle Arthritis Research

Schaumburg, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2026) — The Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS) announced the opening of the second round of the AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program. The grant program provides substantial funding to support innovative clinical research that advances knowledge toward treatments to stop or slow ankle osteoarthritis (OA). 

Affecting more than 30 million Americans, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Three grants, each totaling up to $250,000 over a two-year period, will be awarded to AOFAS members dedicated to furthering their ankle OA research projects. 

“The Arthritis Foundation has been instrumental in funding research that has improved the lives of those who suffer from different types of arthritis and related conditions,” says AOFAS Board Member Jonathon D. Backus, MD. “We’re excited to continue this partnership and deepen the collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation to find new solutions to tackle ankle arthritis and support patients living with the condition.”   

The grant program invites a broad spectrum of proposed research, including but not limited to: 

• Optimization of biomechanics for prevention or treatment of ankle OA 

• Slowing/stopping adjacent joint arthritis in ankle or hindfoot, including subtalar joint 

• Development of tests or assays using clinical specimens to detect the early stages of ankle OA 

• Development of therapeutics, including “orthobiologics,” that could modify the course of ankle OA 

• Genetic susceptibility to ankle osteoarthritis 

• Database studies. 

In 2023, the Think Tank Research Grants program supported nearly $600,000 in grant funding for innovative clinical research. Last year, the Arthritis Foundation and AOFAS also partnered on the Foot and Ankle Arthritis Development Program, which provided medical students and residents with valuable training and mentoring in ankle arthritis research and treatment.  

“We're excited to continue to build on what has already been a very productive partnership with AOFAS,” says Paul Larkin, PhD, the Arthritis Foundation’s Vice President of Science. “Our organizations are well aligned on the goal of improving care for ankle arthritis, and working together has allowed us to pool our strengths and advance toward that goal even more quickly.” 

Letters of Intent for the grant program must be submitted by March 2, 2026, through the Arthritis Foundation’s online portal. Complete applications are due April 17, 2026. Awardees will be notified in September and announced at the AOFAS Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. 

About the Arthritis Foundation   

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation’s #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation empowers people to live their best lives while relentlessly pursuing a cure. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org. 

About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons 

Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma. 

About the AOFAS 

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.