Biology of Aging Programs
Eligibility
Technical Stuff
AFAR and Alzheimer Grants
BIG Award
Julie Martin Mid-Career

MSTAR Program

Biology of Aging Programs
Eligibility
Q: Are there citizenship requirements for your programs?
: There are no citizenship requirements for the biology of aging programs. The Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) and Beeson Career Development programs require that the applicant is a US citizen or permanent resident.

Q: Is the _______ award available internationally?
: The New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease program is the ONLY award that is available internationally, and it is limited to Alzheimer's research in Israel and the United States. Otherwise, you must be conducting research at a U.S.-based not-for-profit institution by July 1, 2012.

 

Technical Stuff
Q: Can I get an extension on the deadline? My cat died.
: We are very sorry that your cat died, but, no you can not get an extension on the deadline for ANY reason. Q: What portion of my application needs to be mailed in?
: NONE. That's right: Zero. Zilch. Nada. The application process is now completely online, including letters of recommendation and other supporting materials. (We will still accept hard copies of the letters of reference, however.) Q: How will I know that my application was received?
: After emailing your application to the appropriate email address, you will receive a confirmation email. Please keep this email for your records. If you do not receive this email within hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder. If you do not receive the confirmation email, contact AFAR immediately. Q: When is the start date of the award?
: July 1, 2012, except for the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) and Beeson programs. Q: The font in the application keeps defaulting to 10 pt when the instructions say 12 pt. Help!
: That's not really a question... but as long as the font is 12 pt for the 8 page proposal, that is fine. Q: Can my pretty pictures, figures and graphs be included as appendices to the 8 page application?
: NO. All figures, etc. must be included in the 8 pages. Q: Can the budget include postdoctoral students and graduate students under personnel?
: Yes. But we only cover stipends, not tuition. (This does not apply to the postdoc program.) Q: Under personnel in the budget, can fringe benefits be included as well as salary?
: Yes. (This does not apply to the postdoc program.) Q: Are indirect costs allowed?
: Yes, but it varies by grant. Please read the grant materials carefully and contact us if you have questions. Q: Can there be more than one PI?
: No. Q: I have a co-PI/Collaborator on my project. Should I have them write a letter of collaboration?
: Yes, have them write a letter and include their NIH-style biosketch. Q: Can I include this manuscript that has not yet been accepted for publication?
: No, you can only include it if it has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published.

Q: Do I need to include IRB/Animal Use Committee approval with my application?
: No, but if your application is recommended for funding you must provide it prior to the start date of the award.

Q: Can my application arrive a few days late? The official authorizing the proposal is in Tibet meeting the Dali Lama.
: No, it has to arrive with the page of original scanned or electronic signatures (NO FAXES OR HARD COPIES) in the program's mailbox on Thursday, December 15, 2011, by 5:00 pm EST. We will not accept late submissions. Please plan accordingly. Q: Is it ok if my letters of reference come in after December 15?
: Yes! We prefer that the letters arrive by December 15, but we will accept them up to two weeks after the deadline. (This does not apply for the Julie Martin Mid-Career Award.) Q: I already have an award, how can I find out about reporting requirements/no-cost extensions/rebudget/other administrative issues?
: Head on over to our administrative policies page.

 

AFAR and Alzheimer's Grants
Q: Is the total amount for the AFAR and Alzheimer's Grants $100,000 for one year and $200,000 for two years?
: No, it's $100,000 total over one or two years. Q: I am not yet junior faculty, but I will be by the start date of the award-- am I still eligible to apply?
: Yes, as long as you be junior faculty by July 1, 2012. This should be indicated in your start-up/offer letter which must be included with the application.
BIG Award
Q: I am a full or associate professor. Do I still have to get the Chair's letter for my BIG application?
: No. Only assistant professors or equivalent.

Julie Martin Mid-Career
Q: My institution does not award tenure to Associate Professors. That's ok, right?
: No, sorry. If your institution gives tenure-- even if tenure is only given to full professors-- you must be tenured. People at institutions that do not give tenure must demonstrate that their appointment is equivalent to a tenured position. This may be accomplished by a statement that the applicant has an appointment equivalent to that of a tenured Associate Professor, and how the institution determines tenure equivalent. Also, please keep in mind that this appointment must have been received after December 1, 2008.

Q: I missed the part where you require letters of recommendation for the Mid-Career application. Can you send me information about that?
: We no longer require letters of recommendation for the Mid-Career application. Now spend that extra free time double-checking your budget! Q: My institution was so blown away by my Mid-Career research that I am going to be promoted to professor during my award. Do I have to relinquish my award?
: Nope! Congratulations on your promotion!

 

MSTAR Program
Q: Is there a citizenship requirement for the MSTAR program?
: Yes. The Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program requires that the applicant is a US citizen or permanent resident. Q: Are MD/PhD students eligible?
: Yes. Q: Do I have to complete the MSTAR program in the summer between my first and second year of medical school?
: While most applicants do complete the program between the first and second year of medical school, it is not required. It is only required that students have completed at least one year of medical school and that they are currently enrolled while participating in the program (i.e. they have not graduated).

However, students who travel to a National Training Center are encouraged to conduct the program during the summer as there are group activities that will not be available during other times of the year.

Q: When is the deadline?
: The deadline is January 31, 2012. After this date you will not be able to submit your application, whether or not it is complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Q: What does my home institution faculty sponsor need to say in their letter?
: The HIFS will be asked to submit a broad-based geriatrics research, clinical, and mentoring plan. This plan will help to ensure that your interest in academic geriatrics is sustained and further developed upon completion of your research program. Q: How do my home institution faculty sponsor (HIFS) and reference submit their part of my application?
: They can submit their section of your application to medicalstudent@afar.org. Q: Can my HIFS also submit my reference?
: No. Your HIFS can only submit one portion of your application. You must have someone else submit your reference. Q: Why do I need a HIFS if I’m traveling to a National Training Center? Shouldn’t I have a Faculty Sponsor at the National Training Center?
: You are required to have a HIFS at your home institution to help ensure that your interest in academic geriatrics is sustained and further developed upon completion of your research program. If you are traveling to a National Training Center, you will be matched with a research mentor based on your interests. Q: How am I matched with a research mentor if I am traveling to a National Training Center?
: Once you are accepted into the program and placed at a National Training Center, you will be contacted by someone from the National Training Center and matched with a research mentor based upon your interests. Q: Can my letter of reference and/or faculty sponsor plan come in after the deadline?
: Please try to get your supporting materials in by January 31. We will allow tardy submissions but if we do not receive the materials within two weeks after the deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Q: When will I hear whether I have been accepted into the program?
: We are currently estimating that applicants will be notified on or around March 15, 2012.