New Lupus Insight Prize to be awarded to outstanding investigator

Lupus organizations have come together to launch a first-of-a-kind initiative to encourage scientific advances in lupus research. The Lupus Insight Prize, presented in a collaboration among the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR), the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) , and the Lupus Research Institute (LRI), will recognize and honor an outstanding investigator with a documented record of creativity, innovation, and productivity in lupus research, and with a high likelihood of generating further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Lupus is an unpredictable and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. The Lupus Insight Prize will be awarded annually by the three organizations.    

The 2012 Request for Nominations kicks-off on the heels of Lupus Awareness Month, which takes place in May. During the month, the lupus community holds numerous special events across the country to increase awareness and improve the understanding of lupus, and show support for people living with this devastating disease.

"The Alliance for Lupus Research, the Lupus Foundation of America, and the Lupus Research Institute are delighted to be working hand-in-hand to offer the Lupus Insight Prize to spark innovation and creativity in lupus research that could lead to the next breakthrough," said Mary K. Crow, M.D. Chair ALR Scientific Advisory Board, Physician-in-Chief and Chair, Department of Medicine, The Hospital for Special Surgery;  Gary S. Gilkeson, M.D., Chair, LFA Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina; and Peter Lipsky, M.D., LRI Scientific Advisory Board and  Editor-in-Chief of Arthritis Research and Therapy. "By helping talented investigators pursue their novel research insights, we are laying additional groundwork to better understand and treat this complex and debilitating disease."

The Lupus Insight Prize recipient will be awarded $200,000 to be used for research dedicated to furthering understanding of the genetic, environmental, molecular, immunologic, or cellular aspects of lupus or its treatment. The Prize must be utilized within three years from the date awarded. 

Lupus Insight Prize nominations will be reviewed by members of the independent Selection Committee, which is comprised of leading lupus scientific leaders from across the country and representatives of the three funding lupus organizations. The Selection Committee will review nominations and award the Prize based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievements, creativity, insight, and potential for future advances that will improve the lives of people with lupus.

Nominations are open to investigators of any age or rank affiliated with an academic, biomedical, research, or government institution in the United States. Nominations will not be accepted for investigators working in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. Additionally, nominees may not already possess a grant award to pursue the aims described in the Research Narrative. Co-investigators or teams of investigators are not eligible for the Lupus Insight Prize.