As a result of a generous $2 million gift from The Clearing Corporation Charitable Foundation, the IFM established an endowment to fund independent research that answers high-priority industry questions regarding the mechanics and risks associated with futures trading, market mechanisms, regulation among other topics.

Research Areas and Grants
Annually the IFM will award research grants to authors based on the topic areas defined in a Call for Papers. Investigative studies may be conducted by academics and/or industry professionals and will be used to educate market users, policy makers, regulators, academics, and other interested parties.

Research studies will be subjected to a peer-review process, a rigorous process that encourages authors to meet quality standards and avoid the dissemination of unwarranted findings, superfluous claims or interpretations, and personal views. Studies that successfully complete the peer-review process will be published in a special edition of the Review of Futures Markets, a financial journal.

As an alternative to a Call for Papers, the Advisory Committee may elect to underwrite a singular special study, or jointly participate in a research program providing that the investigation and result produced meet the aforementioned quality and independence standards. As a nonprofit educational foundation, the IFM and its Trustees will NOT influence or direct the results of any investigative work funded.

Members of the Advisory Committee include:

Peter F. Borish
Chairman and CEO, Computer Trading Corporation

John M. Damgard
Special Advisor, Futures Industry Association Inc.

Michael C. Dawley
Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Ronald Filler
Professor of Law and Director, Center on Financial Services Law, New York Law School

Walter Lukken
President, Futures Industry Association, Inc.