Research Resources

EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATOR SUBCOMMITTEE

ECI Subcommittee Call for Applications Is Open

The ACR Early Career Investigator (ECI) Subcommittee of the Committee on Research is currently accepting applications for new subcommittee members. The ECI Subcommittee is responsible for serving the needs of junior research faculty who are pursuing careers in academic rheumatology. The subcommittee manages, plans, and attends the following programs.

ECI Subcommittee Eligibility

Applicants for the ECI Subcommittee should meet the following requirements:

• Must be an ACR or ARP member
• Must spend greater than 70% of time in research
• Must currently be employed as faculty/staff at an academic institution or industry
• Must be within 5 years after finishing fellowship or post-doctoral training equivalent at the time of application (last training completed by September 2020 or later)

Please review the eligibility requirements and application preview prior to submitting an application.

The deadline to apply is September 12.

Apply for ECI Subcommittee

ECI Subcommittee Programs

Creating Adult Rheumatology Mentorship in Academia (CARMA)
CARMA is a mentoring program to support early career investigators interested in research. Through this program, early career investigators participate in a matching mentoring program with established rheumatologists to enhance decision-making and satisfaction for rheumatology research trainees and junior faculty as they transition to independent research after fellowship.
See CARMA details >

Rheuminations on Research Careers (RoRC)
RoRC is an innovative virtual community designed to support early career investigators in the field of rheumatology. RoRC serves as a dynamic space where emerging researchers can network, share experiences, and collaboratively address challenges specific to their career development. The virtual meetings emphasize peer-to-peer interactions and mentorship, fostering an environment where participants can exchange ideas, seek advice, and find solutions to common obstacles in their research trajectories. By facilitating discussions on topics like grant writing, work-life balance, and career progression, RoRC aims to empower young rheumatologists to navigate the complexities of academic research with greater confidence and success.
Upcoming sessions will be located on this page.

Meet the Funders at ACR Convergence
October 27, 2025 | 2:30–3:30 PM CT
This session is geared toward ACR Convergence attendees who are grant writers of all stages interested in learning about the different types of grants available to young investigators. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss specific questions with program officers and representatives from various foundations by rotating to each table where the Funders will be seated identified by their organization sign.
Participating Funders will be listed on this page prior to ACR Convergence.

Rheumatology Research Workshop (RRW)
RRW is an invitation only after application, two-day, in-person workshop that promotes interaction between rheumatology trainees, early career investigators, and established investigators to foster collaboration and facilitate career mentoring. The workshop will include scientific lectures, oral abstract presentations, and opportunities for early career investigators to interact with senior investigators. Sessions will focus on the skills needed to be successful in research, including improved communication and presentation, work-life balance, tips for grant application, how to build a research team, and more.
See RRW details >