# Scientist Training in Rheumatology Research

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $86,976

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
This application is a competitive renewal of the University of Michigan's Program for Scientist Training in
Rheumatology Research (T32AR007080). Our Program, funded by NIAMS since 1975, is designed to
prepare four outstanding postdoctoral scientists per year, both MD and PhD, for investigative careers in
research related to the rheumatic diseases. Our Program is motivated by several key factors including (i) the
tremendous clinical need caused by the unrelenting burden of rheumatic diseases; (ii) an appreciation that
rheumatic diseases are propelled by complex processes in need of multidisciplinary approaches; and (iii) a
threatened pipeline of diverse investigators committed to careers that will be devoted to rheumatology
research. Fortunately, recent advances in biomedical and clinical sciences have created unprecedented
research opportunities to understand disease etiologies more deeply—and ultimately improve outcomes
through an approach personalized to the care of each individual living with a rheumatic disease. Our 22
Program faculty mentors are dedicated researcher-mentors who together bring broad interdisciplinary
expertise focused on rheumatic diseases. These investigators have established extensive collaborations with
research units nationally and internationally to effectively study rheumatic disease mechanisms and improve
management. Leveraging these historical strengths, our Program's themes have been updated to align with
NIAMS strategic mission “to transcend disease- and tissue-specific boundaries via cross-cutting scientific
themes.” For the upcoming cycle of our Program, major scientific themes will include (i) Biologic Underpinnings
of Clinical Heterogeneity; (ii) Immunological Mechanisms of Disease; (iii) Injury, Repair, and Fibrosis; and (iv)
Patient Outcomes/Experience and Innovative Trials. Trainees are also provided strong roots in the ethical
conduction of research, and in embracing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some additional
highlights of the Training Program include: (i) the availability of an award-winning 10-week research training
course offered to physician trainees with a strong interest in basic research; (ii) multiple paths for trainees to
earn a master's degree concurrent with their Program training, and (iii) outstanding state-of-the-art biomedical
cores that provide training, consultations, and scientific services commensurate with U-M's standing as the top
public research institution in the United States. It has been a longstanding mission of our Program to train
individuals from diverse backgrounds for careers in research. Of the 26 trainees since 2009, 17 (65%) are
women and eight (31%) come from underrepresented backgrounds (1 Black, 5 Hispanic or Latinx, and
2 from disadvantaged backgrounds); half of the current trainees identify as underrepresented minorities. Of
the 20 trainees (9 MD and 11 PhD) who have completed their participation in our Program since 2011, ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11178914
- **Project number:** 3T32AR007080-45S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Jason Knight
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $86,976
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1976-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11178914

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11178914, Scientist Training in Rheumatology Research (3T32AR007080-45S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11178914. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*