The Scleroderma Foundation is a leading nonprofit supporter of scleroderma research—allotting approximately $1 million each year to find the cause and cure of scleroderma.

The Challenge of Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a complex autoimmune disease. Like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, it is a chronic—often progressive—disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues.

Scleroderma, which literally means "hard skin," can cause thickening and tightening of the skin, as well as serious damage to internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. It is often life-threatening.

Scleroderma occurs three to four times more often in women than in men.

Research Program
Currently the Scleroderma Foundation budgets about $1 million per year for research funding—our single largest expense.

The research grant funding program has earned a unique place in the field of scleroderma research. It is respected by medical researchers and by government health agencies such as NIH/NIAMS. The program is administered by the Scleroderma Foundation's Board of Directors and staff, and guided by the Foundation's Peer Research Review Committee. This committee, composed of medical experts on scleroderma from around the world, helps determine which proposals will be funded each year by reading, critiquing, and ranking all applications.

The Scleroderma Foundation (SF) is interested in fostering development of innovative, high-quality research by new and established investigators in fields related to systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). To accomplish this goal, two distinct research grants are being offered entitled "Scleroderma Foundation New Investigator Grant," and the "Scleroderma Foundation Established Investigator Grant."

Researchers interested in the grant program can find more information by reviewing Appropriate Areas of Research, Grant Application and Instructions, Restrictions, Criteria, and FAQ for Researchers.

The Future of Scleroderma Research
Thanks to recent advances in research and treatment, scleroderma patients as a group can now expect to live longer and more productive lives—with increased hope for the future.

A cure for scleroderma, however, remains an elusive goal. Research costs continue to climb. Modern laboratory staff, equipment, and supplies are expensive. Laboratories and clinical research programs must look outside their own facilities for financial support.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of NIH, provides funding for the majority of scleroderma research. Although NIH grants to scleroderma researchers have increased in recent years, scleroderma funding is still a relatively low priority.

The Scleroderma Foundation has a critically important role as catalyst—to fund and to stimulate new research and new ideas.

The Scleroderma Foundation is enlisting the support of legislators and other decisionmakers to establish a higher profile for scleroderma and the needs of patients.

The key to all our efforts—to ensure that productive research moves forward—is the continued generosity of our individual and corporate donors.