BACKGROUND The development of rheumatology into one of the most progressive medical disciplines is mainly based on the enormous scientific knowledge gained in recent decades. Physician scientists have played a substantial role in this development. With respect to the ongoing challenges, physician scientists will be urgently needed in the future. Therefore, young physicians need to be attracted to scientific research in rheumatology. OBJECTIVE This article describes possible paths into academic rheumatology, highlights facilitators and barriers to a scientific career and discusses ideas for the recruitment of young scientists for rheumatology based on the existing literature. CONCLUSIONS It is without doubt that young scientists are urgently needed in rheumatology; however, the number of young physician scientists seems to be declining. The paths to academic rheumatology are manifold and variable but setting the course early on during medical school by science-oriented teaching, research internships and doctoral theses, appears to be advantageous. Favorable factors for the decision to pursue an academic career in rheumatology are enjoyment in research, recognition of research rotations for rheumatology training and improved career opportunities. The greatest barriers are considered to be the exemption from clinical duties as well as lack of experience with scientific methods and acquisition of research funding. Therefore, it is important to make potential scientists enthusiastic about the research underlying modern rheumatology and to encourage research during medical school in order to attract young people to academic rheumatology.