To be able to answer the critically important research questions that affect our field, we must have rheumatologists trained in basic, translational, and clinical research. A cadre of physicians, health professionals, and basic scientists engaged in basic research and in the training of young investigators for the future are required to maintain the discovery pipeline. Well-trained clinician-scientists are vital to translational research, where their clinical skills are essential in moving new discovery to the bedside. Clinical scientists must be prepared to test the hypotheses generated by basic and translational research with the most rigorous of methodologies to determine their value to patients and populations. Young rheumatologists and health professionals must be able to look past the current funding environment and see an exciting future in research, and that future must be secured.
The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) recently completed a review of its core grants portfolio to assure that our young clinician-scientists with a strong desire for a research career will have a clear path toward becoming independent researchers. The chief emphasis of the REF portfolio review was to streamline the portfolio and application process and to incorporate real-time metrics to assure funds are awarded to those who are continuing in their quest to become independent clinician-scientists. Working together with the NIH and other funding agencies, the REF can achieve a goal of securing the future of research in rheumatology.
I hope you will all join me in providing support for the REF’s and the ACR’s efforts. The fictional article from the Not Yet Gazette may be all too real without attention to research funding now.
Leslie Crofford, MD is the president of the ACR REF and chief of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Contact her by e-mail at [email protected].