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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, 2026. Submit here

Application Deadline
Applications are due August 3, 2026 by 5 PM ET

Notice of Special Interest(NOSI)/Highlighted Topics:

  • 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.

  • Highlighted Topic: Adult Dermatomyositis
    Investigators pursuing novel research ideas addressing the disease area of adult dermatomyositis are encouraged to apply for funding via the Norman Family Fund for Dermatomyositis Research.

  • Highlighted Topic: Spondyloarthritis
    Through a generous contribution by UCB, funding for one Scientist Development Award (SDA) has been provided for research focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of spondyloarthritis. Early career investigators who conduct research on spondyloarthritis, and meet all eligibility criteria, are encouraged to apply this cycle through the SDA mechanism. Please note, only applicants who were recommended for funding by the study section will be considered for this support, and UCB does not have any role or information regarding the scientific peer review process conducted by the Foundation.

Explore all NOSI/Highlighted topics available in 2026 here.

View Request for Applications

Apply Now

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, 2026. Submit here

Application Deadline
Applications are due August 3, 2026 by 5 PM ET

Notice of Special Interest(NOSI)/Highlighted Topics:

  • 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.

  • Highlighted Topic: Adult Dermatomyositis
    Investigators pursuing novel research ideas addressing the disease area of adult dermatomyositis are encouraged to apply for funding via the Norman Family Fund for Dermatomyositis Research.

Explore all NOSI/Highlighted topics available in 2026 here.

View Request for Applications

Apply Now

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 June 1, 2026 by 5 PM ET

Notice of Special Interest(NOSI)/Highlighted Topics:
Highlighted Topic: Psoriatic Arthritis
Through a generous contribution by Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network (PPACMAN), funding for one Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Bridge has been provided for research focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

View Request for Applications

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
Applications are due August 3, 2026 by 5 PM ET

View Request for Applications

Apply Now

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
$200,000

Award Term
2 Years

Application Deadline
Applications are due June 1, 2026 by 5 PM ET

View Request for Applications

Apply Now

 

 

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