American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation

The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation is the 501(c)(3) foundation of the American College of Rheumatology. The mission of the ACR Research and Education Foundation is to improve patients' lives through support of research and training that advances the prevention, treatment and cure of rheumatic diseases. [cite web |title=American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation| url=http://www.rheumatology.org/ref/index.asp |accessdate=2007-09-01 |format= |work=]

Ensuring the Future of Rheumatology

The ACR REF (or REF) as it is commonly known regularly funds $4-$5 million in research and education grants to individuals and institutions across the United States. These grants focus on medical students and residents that can gain exposure to the field of rheumatology as well as fellows who are currently training in ACGME accredited rheumatology training programs. Thanks to these efforts and others the number of fellows completing training programs in the United States has increased by 50% over the past ten years. [cite web |title=About the REF| url=http://www.rheumatology.org/ref/index.asp |accessdate=2007-09-01 |format= |work=]

Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis

In addition to the funds already being spent on ensuring the future of the field, the REF has also embarked on a $30 Million campaign to accelerate research into Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Despite improvements in the treatment and diagnosis of this disease, RA is still an incurable disease and receives disproportionately less research funding from federal sources for investigator-driven research than most other autoimmune diseases. This campaign includes a lofty goal of raising $30 million to fund an extensive research grant program comparable to the National Institutes of Health’s major grant funding programs. Thus far more than 30 investigators have been funded through this program for a total of $12 million. [cite web |title=Within Our Reach Grant Recipients | url=http://www.withinourreach.info/grantrecip.html |accessdate=2008-09-01 |format= |work=]

Through a rigorous grant application and peer-review process, the REF identifies the scientists and doctors who are most prepared and motivated to work on finding the cure for RA and awards major funds through the Within Our Reach campaign to those deserving researchers at major universities and medical institutions throughout the United States. [cite web |title=Within Our Reach - Learn About the Research | url=http://www.withinourreach.info/aboutWOR.html |accessdate=2008-09-01 |format= |work=]

References

External links

* [http://www.rheumatology.org/ref American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation - Official site]
* [http://www.withinourreach.info/ref Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Official site]
* [http://www.rheumatology.org/ref American College of Rheumatology - Official site]