The association received a letter confirming that Scleroderma Australia would like Arthritis Australia to incorporate $60,000 research expenditure into its national program this year.

As agreed, the terms of the research award are as follows:

Award categories/amounts:
* A major grant  for $50,000
* A seed/pilot grant for $10,000

Award objectives:
*  To foster  research into the understanding of and/or improved therapy for scleroderma.

Award conditions:
* The awards will be promoted and known as Scleroderma Australia Grants.
* They will be made to the applicants considered by the Arthritis Australia Grants Review Committee  (GRC) as most likely to achieve the awards' objectives
* The  successful applicants must have Australian citizenship or residency.
* The recipients  will be required to provide a layman’s report and scientific report at the
completion of the research period and by no later than June 30 of the following  year. This information will be shared with Scleroderma Australia.

Applications will be called for immediately - including an e-alert to all members of the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Arthritis Australia Research Institutes database as well as itemised details on our website.

The GRC will meet to assess applications some time in October.  The Arthritis Australia Board will review and approve all 2009 grant recommendations in November, after which formal offers will be sent to successful applicants. Realistically, with Christmas/New Year intervening, there won’t be confirmation of the successful applicant until end-January.

Arthritis Australia is delighted to be entering this partnership with  Scleroderma Australia and look forward to the possibility of joining forces in future national endeavours.