What Is the AFMR

Established in 1940, the American Federation for Medical Research is an international multi-disciplinary association of scientists engaged in all areas of biomedical investigation-patient-oriented, translational, and basic research. Members are located at government facilities, medical centers, research institutions, and private industry in all 50 states and throughout the world. AFMR fosters research in the medical sciences, provides leadership in articulating and publicizing the aims and goals of scientific research, disseminates the knowledge medical research generates, and identifies and supports efforts to achieve these objectives.

AFMR's diverse membership positions the organization as one of the few international associations with a broad medical sciences constituency. AFMR members enjoy the ability to tap into a professional network of colleagues whose interests and expertise facilitate the "cross fertilization" of information about current issues in biomedical research.

AFMR repeatedly demonstrates how clinical and basic research efforts integrate to provide the scientific basis for medical practice. AFMR's translational aspect has broad reaching clinical applications and strengthens the fields of scientific study based in multiple medical disciplines.

In November, 1995, the name of the organization was changed from the American Federation for Clinical Research to the American Federation for Medical Research to more accurately reflect its mission which aims "to improve the public health by developing programs to promote and support medical researchers, and by fostering research in all medical disciplines through public policy initiatives and educational programs."

AFMR members are automatically entitled to membership in one of the four regional sections, Eastern, Midwestern, Southern or Western. Participation in section activities is an excellent path to becoming involved in AFMR national leadership since each section is represented on the AFMR national council by four representatives: section chair, chair-elect, secretary-treasurer and one elected councilor-at-large.