Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) program aims to support early-career physician-scientists trained in medical or surgical specialties and early-career dentist-scientists to launch careers as future leaders in aging- or geriatric-focused research. The program encourages candidates to seek out a supportive research environment to achieve the program's goal of fostering the development of early-career physician- and dentist-scientists in aging- or geriatric-focused research, particularly as it applies to their clinical specialty/discipline.

Grant Details
The GEMSSTAR program provides small grants to conduct transdisciplinary aging research that will yield pilot data and experience for subsequent aging research projects. It supports an early-career physician's or dentist's first independent research project, and provides an opportunity for applicants funded in non-aging-related fields to refocus their research efforts on aging- or geriatrics-related topics. The program offers two years of support for small, transdisciplinary research projects on questions relevant to aging and/or the aged.
Projects may involve pilot or feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing data, development of research methodology, development of new research technology, or other similar approaches.
The total value of the grant is approximately $3 million, with an anticipated 19 awards.
The project period is limited to 2 years.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is limited to physicians trained in medical or surgical specialties and dentists who have completed training in their medical or surgical specialty. Applicants should have a faculty appointment at the start of GEMSSTAR funding and should not have had prior research funding as an independent PD/PI on a major NIH grant. Early-career clinician-scientists who have had a previous NIH individual mentored career development award in a non-aging-related field and who wish to refocus their research efforts on aging-related science are also eligible to apply for a GEMSSTAR award.

Period of Performance
The project period is limited to 2 years, with an earliest start date of October 30, 2023 and an expiration date of October 31, 2023.

Grant Value
$100,000 in direct costs per year