Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 24 047

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 24 047

The Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-AG-24-047) is an NIH discretionary grant designed to help early-career physician-scientists in medical and surgical specialties, as well as early-career dentist-scientists, pivot into aging- and geriatrics-focused research. The program is intended to create a pipeline of future leaders in aging research by giving these clinicians a practical, supported way to develop a focused research direction, gain experience working across disciplines, and generate early evidence that can be used to compete for larger NIH aging awards later on. In other words, it is set up less as a long-term, fully powered project mechanism and more as a structured launchpad that helps clinicians build momentum in aging research.

The core purpose of the award is to fund small, transdisciplinary aging research projects that produce pilot data and hands-on research experience. The emphasis on "transdisciplinary" signals that NIH expects projects to draw from multiple fields or perspectives, which fits aging research well because aging-related problems often span clinical care, biology, population health, health services, and social or behavioral factors. The "Clinical Trial Optional" feature indicates applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required; applicants can pursue other forms of research that still advance aging or geriatric science and strengthen the investigator's trajectory.

From a funding details standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under the Health funding activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.866. The funding instrument is a grant, and the mechanism is an R03, which typically aligns with smaller budgets and shorter, exploratory or developmental studies meant to establish feasibility and generate preliminary findings. The listed award ceiling is $100,000, reinforcing that the intent is to support a modest, focused project rather than a large multi-year trial. The opportunity record shows an original closing date of 2023-10-30 and a creation date of 2023-06-12.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S. applicant organization types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The notice also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories that NIH often highlights to encourage wide participation, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. It also notes that Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities are included among the "other eligible applicants" categories.

Foreign eligibility is limited in a way that is common for many NIH opportunities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may include certain foreign collaborations or elements of work when justified and when they meet NIH's definition and requirements for a foreign component.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH aging research on-ramp for early-career clinicians in specialty fields who may have strong clinical training but need protected support and initial data to establish themselves in aging/geriatrics research. It is structured to help applicants run a manageable, well-scoped project that builds credibility, preliminary results, and cross-disciplinary experience, positioning them for more substantial aging research awards in the next stage of their careers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-06-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-10-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AG 24 047

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