LRI: Investing in the Future by Recruiting, Training, and Supporting Outstanding New Lupus Researchers.

It's high time for new thinking—and new thinkers—in the fight against lupus. Currently there is a critical shortage of clinical bench researchers who are also rheumatologists, the primary medical specialty for lupus. These are the people who bring science from the lab to the patient trials.

One of LRI's main goals is to alter this trend and inspire a new generation of investigators. Clearly, energy and creativity characterize newly minted scientists, and these qualities are especially important in battling this elusive disease.

LRI also carefully reviews Novel Research Grant applications to support the type of fresh and innovative thinking often seen among young and eager investigators. To apply for a Novel Research Grant, click here.

Through the LRI New Investigator Program, LRI seeks to encourage young scientists and clinical investigators to devote their careers to understanding the causes and overcoming lupus. LRI will expose these young scientists to the best training labs in the country, surround them with top-flight professional support, and encourage them to continue bringing their talent to work on lupus.

The LRI New Investigator Program:

• Establishes awards and training for the purpose of developing and perpetuating a group of basic and clinical investigators dedicated to pursuing careers in lupus research.
• Excels in terms of funds offered, terms of grants, and quality of the training environment.
• Mandates a training environment that includes the active participation of established lupus investigators and affiliation with a clinical unit involved in the care of lupus patients.
• Requires attendance at the LRI's Annual Conference to give new investigators exposure to the field and awareness of the opportunities for viable career tracks in lupus research.

Funding for this program comes from various sources. The LRI and the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation (ACR REF) began an initiative in 2002 to encourage qualified physicians without significant prior experience to develop a research career in lupus. Each year the organizations team up to select a physician to receive the Lupus Investigator Fellowship Award. More »

In addition, the LRI works in collaboration with its partner the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Research program, to fund new investigators at academic medical centers in the New York City metropolitan area.