The New York City Research and Improvement Networking Group (NYC RING) was officially formed in early 2003. It is sponsored by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Family and Social Medicine (DFSM) and is governed by a steering committee with representation from clinical administration, residency education, research methodologists, and site clinicians. The formal launch of the network followed several years of substantial investment in the department's capacity to conduct practice-based research. At present, the network consists of community-based primary care practices affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Network development plans are in place to expand its membership to academic family medicine teaching programs and associated practices throughout the New York City area. To date, 20 practices sponsored by four medical centers and one private practice, providing over 395,000 visits to primarily low-income, minority primary care patients have joined NYC RING.