Rheumatology Research Foundation

Home
United States
Atlanta, GA
Rheumatology Research Foundation

The largest private funding source for rheumatology research & training in the U.S.

The Foundation is the largest private funding source of rheumatology research and training in the United States. Since 1985, the Foundation has committed more than $181 million directly to research and training and granted 3,734 individual awards. The Foundation has received a four-star rating, the highest offered by Charity Navigator, for 12 years in a row because of its good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

06/11/2026

Applications are open for the Foundation’s Innovative Research Award! This award provides essential support to independent academic investigators for innovative studies focused on generating new insights into the cause, progression, treatment, and outcomes of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

✨ Highlighted Topic: Adult Dermatomyositis
Established with a generous commitment from Jay and Angie Norman, the Norman Family Fund for Dermatomyositis Research will provide support for investigators pursuing novel research ideas addressing the disease area of adult dermatomyositis.

Required, competitive letters of intent are due by July 15, 2026 by 5 PM ET. Learn more and apply on our website. https://lnkd.in/es7kigyJ

06/09/2026

SetPoint Medical is redefining rheumatoid arthritis treatment with breakthrough neuroimmune modulation therapy—opening new possibilities for patients.

We’re proud to collaborate with innovative companies like SetPoint Medical through the Foundation’s Corporate Roundtable. Their support enables the Foundation to award grants to scientists conducting groundbreaking research and extending the workforce pipeline that will ultimately lead to a future with more options for patients with rheumatic disease to live longer, healthier lives.

06/08/2026

During Scleroderma Awareness Month, we're proud to spotlight Alicia Hinze, MD, MHS, a recipient of the Foundation’s 2022 Investigator Award. Her innovative research focused on improving outcomes for people living with systemic sclerosis.

Dr. Hinze’s project explored using AI-powered imaging to spot early signs of lung disease in people with systemic sclerosis—so doctors can intervene sooner and save lives. Because lung disease is a leading cause of illness and death in scleroderma, advances like these could make a meaningful difference for patients.

This research has the potential to:

✨ Identify patients at risk of progressive lung scarring earlier, enabling earlier treatment

✨Support more personalized treatment decisions based on an individual’s disease risk

✨Improve monitoring by helping doctors detect worsening lung disease sooner, preserving lung function and quality of life

This , we're celebrating the researchers whose work is advancing the future of care for patients with this complex disease.

Watch the full video on the RheumLab. https://bit.ly/46cJip8

06/04/2026

Rare diseases like DADA2 can cause life-threatening inflammation, strokes, bone marrow failure, and other serious complications — but researchers are working to better understand why patients experience the disease so differently.

With support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s Career Development Bridge Funding: R Bridge award, Dr. Lee’s research is uncovering key immune system pathways involved in DADA2 and helping pave the way for more personalized treatments in the future.

Findings from his research may impact patients by:

✨Helping doctors better predict how DADA2 will affect each patient, allowing earlier diagnosis, closer monitoring, and more personalized care.

✨ Leading to more targeted treatments by identifying the specific immune pathways involved in different forms of the disease.

✨ Building resources for future discoveries, including patient biobanks and laboratory models that may accelerate the development of new therapies for DADA2 and related inflammatory diseases.

Learn more about this research and its impact on the RheumLab. https://rheumlab.org/understanding-inflammation-in-a-rare-disease-called-dada2/

06/02/2026

The Foundation is accepting applications for the Scientist Development Award. Investigators in the early stages of their career or who do not have significant prior research experience are welcome to apply for funding to conduct innovative research.

Required letters of intent are due July 1, 2026 by 5 PM ET and applications are due by August 3, 2026 by 5 PM ET. https://www.rheumresearch.org/career-development-research-awards

05/28/2026

With Corporate Roundtable sponsors like Takeda, the Foundation can continue funding programs that train the next generation of rheumatology professionals, support young investigators as they pursue promising research ideas, and advance cutting-edge research projects.

Takeda’s unwavering commitment to putting patients first and addressing unmet medical needs has led to meaningful scientific discoveries and the development of life-transforming treatments across their core therapeutics areas.

05/21/2026

With support from the Foundation’s Scientist Development Award, Dr. Tarin Bigley investigated how neonatal infections might disrupt immune tolerance and lead to the development of autoimmune diseases, like lupus, later in life.

Findings from this project could impact the lives of patients by:

✨Helping doctors identify people at risk for lupus earlier, before symptoms appear.

✨ Leading to new ways to prevent or delay lupus by understanding how childhood viral infections affect the immune system.

✨ Supporting the development of more personalized lupus treatments by improving understanding of how environmental exposures shape immune system dysfunction over time.

These findings move the field closer to understanding why lupus develops — not just how to treat it after diagnosis.

Learn more about Dr. Bigley's project in the Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report. https://bit.ly/4dyoPxJ

05/20/2026

At the Rheumatology Research Foundation, our mission is clear: to advance research and training to improve the health of patients living with rheumatic disease.

To accomplish this, we focus on two critical mission priorities:

🥼 Workforce Expansion
The demand for rheumatology care continues to grow. We are committed to recruiting and training the next generation of rheumatology professionals to ensure patients have access to the high-quality care they deserve.

🔬 Accelerating Discoveries
Through strategic funding of innovative scientific research, we are driving breakthroughs that expand treatment options and move us closer to a future cure.

Together, these priorities strengthen the field of rheumatology and bring hope to millions of patients and families.

Learn more about how we’re building the future of rheumatology and how you can be part of it at RheumResearch.org

05/19/2026

I’ve seen how far rheumatology has come and how much potential still lies ahead.

That’s why I’m supporting the Rheumatology Research Foundation through planned giving. It’s my way of strengthening the pipeline of researchers and healthcare professionals and accelerating the discoveries that will shape patient care for generations.

And so can you when you become a member of the Foundation’s Legacy Society. This is our field—and its future depends on all of us. Join us today!

https://legacy.rheumresearch.org/contact-us

05/15/2026

If you are revising an outstanding NIH R01 or VA RCS/ORD award application and are at risk of running out of research funding, you may be eligible for the Career Development Bridge Funding Award: R Bridge!

This award helps to sustain promising research careers during critical funding gaps.

Applications are due June 1, 2026 by 5 PM ET. https://bit.ly/3P2nqri

Address

Atlanta, GA

Telephone

+14043651373

Website

http://rheumresearch.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rheumatology Research Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Health & Beauty Business in Atlanta?