Global Community

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) serves and collaborates with a diverse international and domestic community of members and the general population with an active interest in global health initiatives. Through the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), the ACR has close partnerships around the world with the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR), Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR).

Membership and Engagement

International Membership

The ACR/ARP is proud to offer membership to physicians, researchers, and health professionals across the globe. Our global members represent 87 countries from around the world. We aim to work with our global members and partners to better understand local need and challenges in the field of rheumatology. We are continuing to explore was to address these challenges and tailor our support to our global members and promote diversity and inclusion us as we empower rheumatology professionals to excel in their specialty. Learn more about international membership options.

Global Engagement Committee

The ACR established the Global Engagement Committee (GEC) in August 2020 to foster and coordinate international and global ACR/ARP activities, collaborations and exchanges. The GEC concerns itself with strategic, collaborative activities promoting productive interactions between the ACR, its international members and constituents, and international rheumatologic societies. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding global collaborations and opportunities focusing on education, training, research, and volunteering. The GEC coordinates with various ACR and ARP committees on all products and programs with a global reach. In pursuit of this mission, the GEC will organize and establish such subcommittees and task forces as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its objectives, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee and Executive Vice President.

For more information about the Global Engagement Committee, contact global@rheumatology.org.

Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award

Each year, the ACR/ARP recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. The Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award is awarded to a rheumatologist or rheumatology professional outside of the U.S. and Canada for exceptional contributions in public service and advocacy to the global rheumatology community. Learn more about the Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award.

Educational Activities

Meet the Experts – Global Education Series

The ACR is pleased to offer the Global Meet the Experts Webinar Series, a quarterly virtual educational series for a global audience of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals.

Past Meet the Experts Session Recordings

• ACR Global Meet the Experts: Lupus Nephritis - March 26, 2022
• ACR Global Meet the Experts: Myositis - November 2022 (Note: This recording is only available to ACR Convergence 2022 registrants.)

Questions?
Contact global@rheumatology.org.

Global Rheumatology Summit

The Global Rheumatology Summit is a platform to highlight international rheumatology professionals and create a space to bring rheumatologists and health professionals together from different parts of the word to talk about topics that are of mutual relevance and concern. The 2022 summit featured sessions on climate change and health, access to care and medications and advocacy. The program showcased innovative mentorship and training models around the world, bidirectional global partnerships and address burden and harm of wasteful medical care in different healthcare settings.

The 2023 program will continue to showcase innovative rheumatology education, training, research, and partnerships around the world.

Global Meet the Experts – Rheumatoid Arthritis

Global Meet the Experts is a virtual educational series offered quarterly to a global audience of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals.

A Global Meet the Experts session will take place within the Global Rheumatology Summit and will focus on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cases will be submitted in advance from around the world, and leading rheumatology experts will discuss and debate key questions and learning points arising from these cases.

Joint Global Conferences, Courses, & Events

The ACR collaborates with other global rheumatology associations and institutions to deliver joint conferences, review courses, and events designed to advance the field of rheumatology by bringing the latest scientific and clinical information to rheumatology professionals worldwide. If you are interested in speaking at a global ACR meeting, or if your organization is interested in partnering with the ACR to deliver a joint education event, complete the form below.

Joint Global Meeting Interest Form

For more information about joint global conferences and speaking opportunities, contact global@rheumatology.org.

Research Activities

Partnership with the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance

The COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (GRA) was established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together the global rheumatology community to collect, analyze, and disseminate information about COVID-19 and rheumatology to patients, physicians, and other relevant groups to improve the care of patients with rheumatic disease.

For more information about the ACR partnership with the GRA, contact global@rheumatology.org.

Rheumatology Research Workshop – Global Applications Welcome

The Rheumatology Research Workshop (RRW) is a two-day meeting designed to foster collaboration, facilitate mentoring and promote interactions between established scientists and rheumatology fellows, junior faculty and other researchers who are early in their career. International ACR members are welcomed and encouraged to apply. International applicants can apply for ACR membership at the time of application.

All attendees will receive up to a $750 travel award for accommodation and travel expenses from the ACR. Awardees are highly encouraged to seek matching funds from their institution.

For more information about the Rheumatology Research Workshop, contact Latonya Trower at ltrower@rheumatology.org.

Training Activities

Scholarships

ACR Convergence Scholarship - Phil Robinson Global Scholars’ Program
The program provides scholarships for registration and travel to ACR Convergence and includes workshops, mentoring, and networking activities. See Phil Robinson Global Scholars' Program eligibility and application information on the Annual Meeting Registration page.

Exchange Programs

The purpose of these programs is to promote the international exchange of clinical and research skills, expertise and knowledge within rheumatology and career development for young academic rheumatologists. These exchange programs allow participants to share knowledge and experience and is intended to create opportunities for future collaboration. In addition, these programs foster the alliance between the ACR and other rheumatology associations around the world and assistant in identifying future leaders within the field of rheumatology.

ACR/APLAR Research Exchange Program
The call for applications for the 2023 ACR/APLAR Research Exchange Program is closed. The deadline to apply was June 30. See ACR/APLAR Research Exchange Program Details

ACR/EULAR Research Exchange Program
2024 information to be announced.