
ACR-ARP Committee on Research

About the Volunteer Position
Position:ACR Member Chair; ACR Member-at-Large; ARP Member-at-Large; Fellow-in-Training
Opportunity Type:Committee
Time Commitment:~ 0-3 Hours per month
Term:12/1/2026–11/30/2029
Application Deadline:June 1, 2026
Opportunity Overview
The ACR-ARP Committee on Research has the following open positions. All positions are hybrid (both virtual and in-person activities expected of the volunteer).
- ACR Member Chair (1)
- ACR Member-at-Large (2)
- ARP Member-at-Large (1)
- Fellow-in-Training (1)
Eligibility
Please review the volunteer eligibility guidelines based on your member type and industry involvement before submitting a volunteer application.
Volunteer Eligibility Guidelines >
Committee Description
The ACR-ARP Committee on Research advances rheumatology research, training, and advocacy to improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Responsibilities
- Identify topics and co-chairs for the Basic & Clinical Research Conference
- Support the Basic & Clinical Research Conference co-chairs with program development, with the Working Group consisting of the co-chairs and three committee members
- Provide ad hoc guidance on research issues for the Executive Committee and other ACR committees or departments when requested
- Collaborate with the ACR Marketing and Communications team to enhance research visibility, including creating research webpage content and identifying article topics for The Rheumatologist, with work led by the COR Marketing & Communication Working Group
- Develop committee ACR Convergence session proposals or suggestions for submission to the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, with two committee members serving as liaisons to promote the sessions and coordinate the ones accepted
- Provide input to the Committee on Government Affairs on advocacy efforts, with one committee member serving as a liaison
- Provide input to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee, with one committee member serving as a liaison
- Coordinate ACR and Foundation research efforts, with the chair or a committee member serving as a liaison on the Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee
- Engage with NIH and other scientific societies through liaisons or the ACR NIH Working Group
- Oversee the Early Career Subcommittee, which plans the Rheumatology Research Workshop and guides the CARMA Mentoring Program
Additional ACR Member Chair Responsibilities
- Serve as the ACR Research Representative on the Rheumatology Research Foundation Board of Directors and the Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee, or appoint committee members to serve in these roles.
The ACR and ARP staff are responsible for the administration and project management of all initiatives and programs.
Time Commitments
Virtual
- Meetings: 3–4 times per year for 1.5 hours, usually between 11:00 AM ET and 5:30 PM ET
- Asynchronous Work: 2–3 hours per month
- Committee members appointed as a Committee on Research liaison on another standing committee or a working group will be required to attend additional meetings, typically 1–1.5 hours each, up to four times per year
- The chair meets with the committee’s ACR staff liaison twice per month for a 1-hour update call and has 4–6 hours of asynchronous work per month
In-Person
- 1-hour meeting during ACR Convergence
Recommended Qualifications
The ACR-ARP Committee on Research welcomes all interested volunteers including basic science researchers; pediatric researchers; and clinical science researchers who can serve as the committee’s liaison to the Annual Meeting Planning Subcommittee.
The committee is particularly interested in members who have received Rheumatology Research Foundation or NIH grant funding or those with a deep understanding of NIH policies and priorities.
