The Southern California Institute for Research and
Education (SCIRE) is a non-profit institution affiliated with the VA
Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) in Long Beach, CA.
(FWA00004435).
In 1988
Congressional legislation gave the opportunity for each VA medical
center with a research program the option to establish an affiliated
non-profit organization. The organization would support the Research
program by promoting medical research, education and management of
research funds.
The Southern California
Institute for Research and Education changed its name on October
2000 to reflect its increased activities in education.
It was
formerly known as the Long Beach Research Foundation, which was
incorporated on January 23, 1989.
SCIRE was incorporated under
Public Law 100-322, May 20, 1988, amended 38 USC, Chapter 73, Sec.
204, Subchapter VI, paragraph 4161-4168. The law authorizes the
establishment of a non-profit corporation at each VA medical center
in which a medical research program has been receiving research and
education funding.
It works with sponsors and
the VA in conducting research to find new and improved ways to
combat human disease and to help people with disabilities.
SCIRE
also works with the VA Employee Education System (EES) and corporate
sponsors to provide training opportunities for VA staff, patients
and care-givers.
SCIRE benefits in many ways
from this relationship, but is also subject to certain constraints
imposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and federal statutes.
The research projects
administered by SCIRE are actually VA peer-reviewed approved
research studies, conducted by VA investigators at the VA Medical
Center. SCIRE exists solely to provide the VA Medical Center with a
funding mechanism to administer non-VA funded medical research and
education.
All research projects must be
approved by the Research and Development Committee, which has
overall responsibility for all research projects. All research
educational activities must be approved by the VA Long Beach
Healthcare System Education Committee or the EES.
The organization is governed
by a Board of Directors, which includes several members of the
medical center's senior management, research physicians and several
community representatives, with an interest in VA patients.
SCIRE can accept donations
from private individuals, corporations and from federal employees
through the Combined Federal Campaign. The donations may be directed
to specific projects, with approval of the Board of Directors.
SCIRE
receives study specific funds from National Institutes of Health,
private foundations and corporate sponsors and actively pursues
grant opportunities. |
