The Columbus Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1957. The purpose of the CMRF is to sponsor medical research and seminars, primarily in the field of rheumatology. To this end, the CMRF offers annual grants, typically up to $10,000. If warranted by the project budget, the amount of the grant may be increased up to $15,000.

Priority is given to research projects and seminars in the field of rheumatology. Time horizons of one year or less are preferred.

The research/seminar objectives supported by the CMRF are, in general, the following: (1) to improve clinical practice, (2) to improve patient outcomes, (3) to improve the quality of patient care, and (4) to lead to a better understanding of disease etiology and progression.

Applicants must complete and submit the CMRF Grant Application form by May 1. Questions may be directed to ColumbusMedicalResearch@gmail.com.

Complete applications will be reviewed by CMRF Board Members. Review criteria for research projects include: (1) originality, (2) significance, (3) scientific soundness, (4) feasibility, (5) qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator. Review criteria for seminars include: (1) originality, (2) significance, (3) intended audience and (4) qualifications and experience of the speaker(s). For applicants who have received a CMRF grant in the past, award decisions for new applications may be influenced by the applicant’s ability to publish past results and past compliance with the responsibilities of awardees. Applicants will be advised of the award decisions in June.

Awardees must recognize the support of the CMRF in seminars, presentations and publications. Awardees also must provide a brief, written report of results, on or before May 1 of the year following the award decision. For research projects, the report should contain a brief summary of the results and the name of the journal or conference where the results have been or will be presented. If a published abstract or manuscript is available, a copy may be submitted in lieu of the report of results. For seminars, the report should contain the name(s) of seminar speakers, date(s) of seminars, the approximate number of attendees, the type of attendees (e.g., general public, faculty, etc), and a copy of any seminar materials.