The ALS Clinical Research Learning Institute® (CRLI) is a two-day program that empowers attendees to be strong advocates in the field of ALS by educating them on clinical research and the therapy development process. Certification as an ALS Research Ambassador® provides opportunities to influence and improve the ALS research process.
The ALS-CRLI program was launched in 2011 by Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD (Duke ALS Clinic) and Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc (Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital) to facilitate direct interaction between researchers and people living with ALS and their caregivers. Click here to read more about why the program was created.
Watch a presentation from the 2020 CRLI to learn more about the goals of the program and what it means to become an ALS Research Ambassador ®.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Virtual ALS Clinical Research Learning Institute®! The 2023 ALS-CRLI will take place October 3 - 4, 2023 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. People living with ALS, caregivers, and family members residing in North America who have not attended a previous CRLI are encouraged to apply.
There are over 500 trained ALS Research Ambassadors to date. Watch this webinar to see firsthand how ALS Research Ambassadors are using the knowledge gained from the ALS-CRLI curriculum to improve ALS research. To learn more about the projects the ALS Research Ambassadors are working on, click here to watch a roundtable discussion presented at the 2021 virtual Annual NEALS Meeting. You can also follow the NEALS ALS Research Ambassadors on Facebook.
ALS speaking engagement (fundraiser, support group, political event, etc.)
Organization of or participation in an ALS event
Interview (TV, radio, web or print)
Speaking or writing to a congressman
ALS video (YouTube, social media, webinar, etc.)
Creation of or contribution to a website, blog or social media page
Published article/column (web or print)
Serving on an ALS committee or board
Mentoring (PALS or CALS)
Other