A full-time clinical or research mentorship with an established rheumatology professional; students can choose a four- or eight-week clinical preceptorship or an eight-week research preceptorship.
Purpose
Encourage medical and graduate students to consider a career in rheumatology
Award Amount
$2,000-$4,000 plus $1,000 for travel expenses and complimentary registration to ACR Convergence
Award Term
4 or 8 Weeks
🎯 1. Strong Alignment with RRF’s Mission
The Foundation exclusively supports projects that advance:
Rheumatology-related research
Clinical care in rheumatic diseases
Workforce development (e.g., fellowships, mentoring)
✅ Predictor: Your work directly improves understanding, treatment, or delivery of care in rheumatologic disorders (e.g., lupus, RA, vasculitis, scleroderma).
🧪 2. Early-Career Track Record & Commitment to Rheumatology
Many RRF grants support:
Medical students and residents interested in rheumatology
Early-stage investigators (PhD, MD/DO, or both)
Faculty within first 5 years of appointment
Predictor: Evidence of a career-long commitment to rheumatology — shown through:
Prior related research
Mentorship in rheumatology
Long-term career goals in rheumatic disease care or research
📈 3. Mentored, Feasible Research Plan
RRF highly favors:
Projects with a strong mentoring team
Clear objectives and milestones
Approaches that are achievable within the funding timeline (usually 1–2 years)
Predictor: A well-structured, mentored proposal with a feasible scope, especially for career development awards.
👩🔬 4. Evidence of Research Potential
Applications that show:
Prior productivity (abstracts, posters, pilot data, or publications)
Institutional support (lab space, access to patients, etc.)
Engagement with academic rheumatology departments
Predictor: Academic promise and institutional environment conducive to research in rheumatology.
📚 5. Participation in RRF or ACR Programs
Applicants engaged in:
ACR/ARP Annual Meetings
RRF-funded summer research programs
Early investigator or mentor development workshops
...often have higher success due to networking and alignment.
Predictor: A track record of engagement in the rheumatology research community.
Grant | Audience | Amount | Focus |
---|---|---|---|
Scientist Development Award | Junior faculty | Up to $225,000 over 3 years | Launching an independent research career |
Career Development Bridge Funding (NIH-K) | K award applicants | Up to $75,000 | Interim support before NIH funding |
Health Professional Research Grant | Non-MDs (e.g., DPT, PharmD, PhD) | $50,000 | Early research in patient care |
Rheumatology Future Physician-Scientist | Med students | $10,000 | Summer research experience |
Innovative Research Award | All levels | Up to $400,000 | Groundbreaking or high-risk/high-reward projects |
🧾 Past Funded Topics Include:
T-cell metabolism in lupus
Novel biomarkers for scleroderma lung disease
Machine learning to predict RA flares
Racial disparities in lupus nephritis care
Targeting B-cell signaling in Sjögren’s syndrome
📍 Pro Tips for Success
✅ Demonstrate a clear rheumatology research focus
✅ Include a well-defined mentorship plan
✅ Address how the project fits into your career trajectory
✅ Have preliminary data (for most research grants)
✅ Stay involved in ACR/RRF programs
The preceptor must be an ACR or ARP member at the time of submission and for the duration of the award (students are not required to be members).
A preceptor may be eligible to receive the award multiple times; however, they must work with a different student each time. Previous student/preceptor pairs are not eligible to apply again.
Awarded students/preceptees may only receive the award once. Students enrolled in U.S-based ACGME or AOA COCA accredited medical schools, undergraduate students who have been accepted into medical school, students enrolled in an accredited graduate school, or undergraduate students who have been accepted into graduate school, are eligible to apply.
Students may apply during any year of their medical or graduate studies and must have identified a preceptor by the time of the application.
Preceptors who have a familial relation with a proposed student are not eligible to serve as the student's preceptor.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Rheumatology Research Foundation
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 2200 Lake Boulevard NE | Atlanta, GA 30319 | (404) 365-1373
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Aug 01, 2025
$4,000
Affiliation: Rheumatology Research Foundation
Address: 2200 Lake Boulevard NE | Atlanta, GA 30319 | (404) 365-1373
Website URL: https://www.rheumresearch.org/preceptorships#MGSP
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.