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Clin-STAR Aging Research Development and Training Awards

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Background

Although important progress has been made through initiatives that integrate geriatrics and aging research into the medical, surgical and other clinical disciplines, further significant commitment is needed to train the future leaders in aging research. The Clin-STAR Coordinating Center seeks to accelerate these efforts by offering activities and resources for the cultivation, connection, and synergy of clinician-scientists in aging research from different disciplines and from institutions across the US.

Purpose

The Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research (Clin-STAR) Coordinating Center is seeking to fund aging research development and training awards that aim to prepare early career investigators for careers in aging-related research and stimulate new collaborations focused on the development of clinically relevant aging research projects.

This mechanism provides funding for up to four grants in 2025. Up to $50,000 in direct cost and up to 8% ($4,000) for indirect cost may be budgeted. Awards will be made to early-career clinician-scientists who work collaboratively with established (senior) investigator(s). A mentor with aging research expertise is required. This mentor can be at the same institution or another institution. Additional mentors are allowed. Clin-STAR Coordinating Center can assist with matches if needed.

Aging Research Development and Training Awards provide support for a range of activities to help prepare early career investigators for careers in aging-related research. The award should lead to at least one publication. Examples of allowable activities include:

  • Initial development of a clinical trial or research study, including early data collection
  • Clinically-relevant secondary data analysis
  • Setting up mentorship and clinical research infrastructure
  • Travel funds to meet with mentor(s) outside of own institution
  • Training (e.g., content expertise, clinical trial planning, publication and analytic workshops).

Note: Non-exempt human subject research cannot be supported through this mechanism.

Eligibility

  • Principal Investigators (PIs) must meet the NIH Early-Stage Investigators (ESI) definition. ESIs at the rank of Associate Professor level or higher at the start of the award (October 2025) are not eligible.
  • The PI should have a doctoral-level, clinical health profession degree (such as physician, nurse, physical, occupational, or speech therapist, dentist, psychologist, social worker, or pharmacist) proposing a research topic from a broad range of areas, such as epidemiological, clinical, health services, or biological measurement research relevant to human subjects.
  • The PI must conduct research at one U.S. based academic site and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The established investigator/mentor must also be at a U.S. academic institution, but secondary established investigators (not required) may be from non-U.S. academic institutions.
  • This opportunity is intended for candidates who have not had previous substantial research funding. Candidates who have received substantial research funding as principal investigator by October 1, 2025 are ineligible to receive this award. Substantial research funding is defined as any research award from any source of $100,000 or greater in direct costs in any single year.
  • Non-exempt human subject research cannot be supported through this mechanism.

Selection Criteria

  • Relevance of the proposed research and training plan to the overall goals of the program.
  • Strength of the mentor plan provided by the established investigator and clear evidence of their role and engagement in the project.
  • Opportunities to establish or expand the PI and established investigator/mentor relationship.
  • The significance and innovation of the proposed project and the likelihood that it will develop into new ongoing research collaborations.
  • The feasibility of the proposed activities.
  • Evidence of commitment to scholarship, including but not limited to aging research.
  • Applications are especially encouraged from institutions that do not have significant aging research resources.
  • Description of the research and training plan, including a summary, significance, specific aims, and approach.

Timeline

  • RFA announcement: February 2025
  • Letters of Intent due: May 1, 2025
  • Invitations to submit full applications: mid-late May 2025
  • Full application deadline: July 18, 2025
  • Award announcement: Late August 2025
  • Projected start date: October 1, 2025
  • Awardees invited to attend the Clin-STAR Annual Meeting November 18-20, 2025

Application Procedures

Letter of Intent

The deadline for this funding opportunity has passed for 2025.

Full Application

A subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application in mid-late May. Complete application details will be provided to those who are selected for full application.

Clin-STAR is unable to provide reviewer comments at any review level.

Award

Up to 4 one-year Clin-STAR Aging Research Development and Training Awards will be funded in 2025. Each award will provide up to $50,000 in direct costs. Direct cost may include salary support for the PI, personnel, equipment, supplies, mentor stipends, travel, training expenses, and other expenses directly related to the award. In addition, up to 8% ($4,000) may be budgeted for indirect costs. This rate is set by AFAR. If you have questions or concerns about the indirect rate, please contact AFAR before submitting a letter of intent. Funding is planned to begin October 1, 2025.

Award Reporting

The junior investigator should be identified as the Principal Investigator (i.e., contact). All questions regarding the award should be directed to the contact listed on the notice of award. Awardees are required to submit annual progress report(s) with a final narrative and financial reports.


Questions regarding this RFA can be sent to: andrea@afar.org

Visit Funding Opportunity FAQ for more information.

About the Clin-STAR Coordinating Center

The Clin-STAR Coordinating Center aims to synergize the career development of clinician-investigators across specialties and disciplines to improve care of older adults.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funds the Clin-STAR Coordinating Center through a cooperative agreement (U24 AG065204) with the American Federation for Aging Research as the National Program Office and three academic resource centers at Johns Hopkins University, the University of California, San Francisco, and Yale University. NIA’s support is expected to total nearly $4.5 million over five years.