Research Training in Aging for Medical Students (T35)

Background
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is pursuing this initiative to develop and/or enhance research-training opportunities for individuals interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, and health-services research. The primary goal of the T35 Short-Term Research Training Grant is to provide short-term training for medical students to obtain necessary aging-research experiences, technical expertise, and skills early during their education in order to encourage them to pursue careers in research.

Other health professional students may also benefit from such short-term training and are eligible when research training is a minor part of, or nonexistent in, their doctoral program.

Grant Details
The key building blocks of the program will be a series of related T35 NRSA grants that will each provide support for training experiences of eight to twelve consecutive weeks duration under the supervision of experienced researchers. The program should contain a mix of didactic activities, learning opportunities (e.g., workshops and discussions), and research experiences appropriate to the level and interests of the participating student class.

The proposed institutional research training program may complement other ongoing research training and career-development programs at the applicant institution, but the proposed program must be clearly distinct from related programs currently receiving federal support. The grant offsets the cost of stipends, tuition and fees, and training related expenses, including health insurance, for the appointed trainees in accordance with agency-approved support levels.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions such as public/state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), local governments, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized), U.S. Territory or Possession, Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), faith-based or community-based organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
Awards for Research Training in Aging for Medical Students (T35) may be for project periods up to five years in duration.

Grant Value
NIA intends to commit $1 million FY 2025 to fund 4-6 awards. An applicant may request direct costs of up to $150,000 per year. Trainees selected for short-term training are required to pursue research training for 2-3 months on a full-time basis.