ARI History

In 1988, Congress passed legislation that allowed VA medical centers to establish state chartered non-profit research corporations.  This legislation formed unique partnerships that dramatically broadened the VA’s ability to accept private and non-VA public funds. The Albany Research Institute (ARI) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) research corporation established in 1989 according to section 204 of Public Law 100-322, which authorized the establishment of a non-profit research corporation to receive and administer non-VA appropriated funds in support of the research mission of the affiliated VA health care system.  Our purpose is to provide a flexible funding mechanism that allows non-VA funding for research projects approved by the VA.

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ARI was established to administer research and development funds from corporate sources, non-VA governmental agencies such as National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, private foundations, and private gifts and donations.  Funds received by ARI in support of research activities can be accepted and managed only if the investigator responsible holds a salaried or WOC appointment at the Stratton VA Medical Center. Funds managed by the ARI remain under the direction of the investigators to whom the funds were awarded or donated, provided that the funds are expended according to the policies and procedures of the ARI.

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We fulfill our mission of promoting and supporting research by providing direct support to Principal Investigators and their staff. We do this by performing four essential services that include:  contract/grant negotiation and administration, human resource management, purchasing, and financial accounting of each project. Each of these services are carried out within the framework of State and Federal law, VA policy, and sound business practices. Every service we provide and every activity we undertake on behalf of our Principal Investigators and their projects is subject to annual review by Congress, the VA Central Office, the IRS, the New York Office of the Attorney General, an outside auditing firm, the Veteran’s Administration Inspector General, as well as, the General Accounting Office in accordance with 38 USC 7366 (B) (2).