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Clin-STAR Aging Research Development and Training Awards FAQ

Clin-STAR 2025 RFA Informational Slides (modified from the Clin-STAR Award RFA Informational Webinar in 2024)

Who can apply for Clin-STAR Aging Research Development and Training Awards?

  • Only Early Stage Investigators are eligible to apply for the Clin-STAR awards, including investigators with an MD and/or a range of other clinical, doctoral-level degrees (e.g., an individual with a PhD in Occupational Therapy would be eligible). Post-doctoral candidates are not eligible for this Clin-STAR award at this time.

What types of research are allowed, e.g., clinically relevant, basic science with human application?

Research focused on older adults with a focus on future clinical benefits.

How do you define "early stage investigator" for the awards? Is there a limit in # of years as an Assistant Professor?

  • Please review the NIH Definition of Early Stage Investigators here. This definition of includes the criterion that ESI must have completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award. There is no limit on the number of years as an Assistant Professor specifically. Associate Professors are not eligible for this award.

How do you define non-exempt human subjects research, or conversely, define exempt human subjects research?

Do you need to practice primarily in an academic setting with university infrastructure to apply for an award if you can identify an established (senior) investigator to be a mentor? Or can your clinical research stem from a private/non-academic practice.

  • Investigators must conduct the research at a U.S. based academic institution. The primary established investigator must also be at US academic institutions, but secondary established investigators (not required) may be from a non-US academic institution.

Are non-US citizens eligible?

  • Investigators must be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Does one have to have a surgical or medical subspecialty to be eligible? How can aging researchers with family/internal medicine and geriatrics training, best make use of their background?

  • No, you don't need to be from a surgical or medical subspecialty to be eligible for tis award.

Are there specific research areas the award is looking to fund?

  • Clinically relevant aging research

Do you have interest in animal/experimental research?

  • The focus of the Clin-STAR grants are for development of clinical aging research projects. Animal/experimental research may be considered if it has direct relevance to human aging and can show the potential to lead to clinically-relevant strategies that address human aging.

Is the award available for ADRD/brain health or is the focus of Clin-STAR on non-cognitive manifestations of aging?

  • Yes, ADRD/brain health projects are appropriate for the Clin-STAR award.

Who is considered an "established (senior) investigator"?

Does the "established investigator" need to be a clinician?

  • The established investigator can be a non-clinical investigator (e.g., a biostatistician), but the junior investigator must be a clinician-scientist for the Clin-STAR award.

Can I include a budget for the "established investigator" in my Clin-STAR award application?

  • Yes.

Will Clin-STAR ‘match’ me with an established investigator if I request one?

  • The Clin-STAR Database will be a resource to help make mentee-mentor matches. Clin-STAR staff will also help applicants identify an established investigator upon request. If you are interested in identifying an established investigator mentor for the awards, please email andrea@afar.org with a few sentences on your (1) clinical and research background (2) research interests, and (3) expertise you would like your mentor to provide.

Is there a dedicated % FTE required for the duration of the award?

  • At least 20% is suggested.

I am a current GEMSSTAR awardee or am currently applying for a GEMSSTAR, will that preclude me from applying for the Clin-STAR award?

  • Current and former GEMSSTAR awardees are not eligible. Those applying for a GEMSSTAR award cannot concurrently hold both GEMSSTAR and Clin-STAR awards.

How do you define non-exempt human subjects research, or conversely, define exempt human subjects research?

  • See NIH algorithm describing exempt/non-exempt human subject research here.

Is there Clin-STAR funding for those who passed early career stage but did not get further funding beyond GEMSSTAR?

Should the aims be focused on the clinical trial I am developing, or the aims of this Clin-STAR award which is the training and preparation I need in developing the clinical trial?

  • The specific aims page and approach should focus on how the Clin-STAR grant will help you train and prepare for a research study. It can mention the aims of that study (e.g., an RO1), but it should be clear that that particular study will not be funded through Clin-STAR.

Aggregated Research Resources are available on the Clin-STAR website here.