March 21, 2022
Twelve new applications for promising scientific studies were just recommended for funding by the Lupus Research Program (LRP) within the Department of Defense!
The dedicated Lupus Research Program was first established in 2017 under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs operated by the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in Ft. Detrick, MD. The Lupus Research Alliance and dedicated advocates worked for the creation of this important program focused on supporting innovative and impactful lupus research. The LRP was allocated $10 million for FY 2021 and the grants recommended for funding were just announced. We are proud to see that many of the researchers slated to receive funding also have been supported by past grants from the Lupus Research Alliance grants — we know talent when we see it!
Lupus Research Program FY 2021 Awards Recommended for Funding
| Institution | Principal Investigator |
| FY21 Idea Award | |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth | Keisa Mathis |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas | Benjamin Chon |
| Ventus Therapeutics U.S., Inc. | Michael Crackowe |
| Wayne State University | Eric Sebzda |
| FY21 Impact Award | |
| Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Karen Costenbader |
| Columbia University Medical Center | Anca Askanase |
| Hospital for Special Surgery | Theresa Lu |
| Medical University of South Carolina | Tamara Nowling |
| Monash University | Joshua Ooi |
| The Leland Stanford Junior University | Charles Fathman |
| University of Michigan | Jason Knight |
| FY21 Transformative Vision Award | |
| Duke University | Megan Clowse |
Since the LRP began five years ago, $35 million has been allocated, and these new grants bring total awards to 60. That is a tremendous amount of research that did not exist just a few years ago. Another $10 million has been allocated for FY 2022. To keep the momentum of this vital source of research funds going, join the LRA and advocates in the lupus community in asking your member of Congress to support an increase to $15 million for FY 2023 by visiting the Legislative Action Center when it opens on March 28.
