About Us

What is 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.

AFMR Mission Statement

The mission of AFMR is to promote understanding of recent advances in biomedical science for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease; to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among physicians and other investigators who are concerned with the treatment of disease; and to improve health by fostering research in all medical disciplines through public policy initiatives and educational programs.

AFMR Goals

• Foster excellence in training and successful development of medical investigators.
• Disseminate scholarly, multidisciplinary, ethical research on human disease and the delivery of health care.
• Educate the public and government leaders about medical research and the importance of its support.

AFMR Logo

AFMR's logo depicts our earth encircled by a DNA strand, representing our commitment to the gamut of discovery from basic, translational and clinical science, to their applications and outcomes for human health.

History of AFMR

Dr. Henry Christian

The American Federation for Clinical Research (AFCR) was founded in 1940 by Dr. Henry Christian. AFCR offered young researchers the opportunity to present their findings to their peers and to receive the guidance of senior scientists. As time went on, AFCR was drawn into public policy activities. In response to an inquiry from Senator Hubert Humphrey, the AFCR national council offered their advice regarding federal funding of medical research. In 1996, the name of the association was formally changed from the American Federation for Clinical Research (AFCR) to the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR).

AFMR's diverse membership positions it as one of the few organizations that bridges basic and patient-oriented research in multiple medical disciplines. Our broad medical sciences constituency includes basic, translational and clinical researchers.

AFMR continues to promotes opportunities for young investigators to present their research and continues to participates in federal policymaking. We are at the forefront of career development for new and mid-career investigators, and have been for the last 50 years. We are committed to enriching the training and early development opportunities for entry level medical investigators and proactively advocate for support and training of mid-career investigators.

In 1996, the name of the association was formally changed from the American Federation for Clinical Research (AFCR) to the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR).

Sections

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.