The Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76)

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), the American Federation for Aging Research, and the John A. Hartford Foundation, are collaborating on this initiative to develop of a cadre of talented scientists prepared and willing to take an active leadership role in transformative change that will lead to improved health care outcomes.

Emerging leaders are clinically trained (primarily physician) early-stage investigators who have begun to establish research careers and have shown signs of leadership potential who will use this award to further develop the tools, skills and resources to have a significant impact in their field of expertise.

The National Institute on Aging is pursuing this initiative to recruit talented new investigators who have begun to establish research programs and through this award will be ready to assume leadership roles in their field of expertise and well poised to change theory, practice and health outcomes related to the health of older individuals. Unlike other mentored K awards candidates for this award must have received competitively awarded research support as a PD/PI at the faculty level and have had prior leadership responsibilities in the clinical or research domain.


How to Apply

It is anticipated that seven to ten awards will be granted in 2023 and 2024. Each award is up to 5 years, with up to $225,000 in direct costs per year.

There are two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA):
RFA-AG-24-014 is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
RFA-AG-24-015 is designed for applicants proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator.

Deadline: October 20, 2023

Read this description of the Beeson Program on the NIA website that has helpful information on eligibility and applying.

All scientific/research inquiries should be directed to:

NIA Training Office
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: NIAtraining@nih.gov

History of the Beeson Program

The Beeson program had its impetus in a series of Institute of Medicine reports that, beginning in 1978, highlighted a growing need for physicians trained in aging-related issues. After the 1993 report called for more support of geriatrics research and training, Donna Regenstreif, PhD, Senior Program Officer of The John A. Hartford Foundation; Margaret Mahoney, then-President of The Commonwealth Fund; and Ray Handlan, Senior Advisor of The Atlantic Philanthropies, began discussing joint strategies for addressing the shortage of physicians interested in aging and dedicated to teaching, research, and practice.

In 1994, a group of foundations and nonprofit organizations launched the Paul B. Beeson Physician Faculty Scholars in Aging Research Program, now known as the Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program. This group set out a large award—$450,000 over three years—and named the program after one of medicine's leading physician-scientists. It gathered some of the most talented senior leaders in geriatrics and aging research to oversee the award winners' selection. The intent was to create a dynamic new cadre of physician-scientists capable of developing breakthrough research, committed to mentoring and teaching the next generation of physicians about the care of older adults, and able to provide needed leadership for the field. In 2004, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) added its support to the program, expanding the size of the award to $600,000 to $800,000 for a three- to five-year period. NIA and the American Federation for Aging Research currently share administrative responsibilities for the program, with AFAR conducting the Beeson annual meeting.

About Dr. Paul Beeson

This distinguished leader in medicine, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 97, exemplified the word "physician" — accomplished in the art of healing and the treatment of disease. His contributions as a scientist, clinician, and teacher have greatly expanded knowledge and understanding of the human condition, and in pursuing his work, he never lost focus on the importance of care in serving people. Dr. Beeson was Chairman of Medicine at Emory and Yale Medical Schools, Nuffield Professor at Oxford University and Professor and distinguished VA Physician at the University of Washington. He chaired the first Institute of Medicine study on "Aging and Medical Education" in 1978. His leadership as an editor of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine greatly influenced medical education. From his research and patient care base, he grew increasingly interested in the process of aging. This interest led to a commitment that included his editorship of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. He profoundly influenced the career paths of many young physicians, several of whom now form the core leadership in geriatric medicine. Dr. Beeson was, in short, a physician who exemplified the William Osler tradition of excellence.

Read more about Dr. Beeson
Paul beeson copy

2019 Beeson Report

Explore the research and insights of the 2017 Beeson Scholars in the most recent Beeson Report.

To explore previous Beeson Scholars' research and insights, download a range of archived Beeson Reports below.

Archived Beeson Reports

Questions about the Beeson Program?

For additional support, please contact AFAR's grants team at 212.703.9977 or email below.

Email AFAR Grants Team

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More Funding Opportunities

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Diana Jacobs Kalman/AFAR Scholarships for Research in the Biology of Aging

Who is Eligible: MD, DO, PhD, or combined degree students who have completed at least two years by the start date of the scholarship
Research Area:
Biology of aging
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Program Period: 3-6 months
Awards Given: Up to 10
Deadline: April 15, 2024

Hevolution Foundation Scientific Conferences Fund

Who is eligible: Non-profit organizations, public and private universities, colleges, laboratories and government agencies in North America (Canada, United States of America, and Mexico)
Amount of award: Up to $10,000 per meeting
Deadline: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31

Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program

Who is Eligible: Any allopathic or osteopathic medical student in good standing, who will have successfully completed one year of medical school at a U.S. institution by June 2024.
Award Period: 8-12 weeks

Interested students should be in touch directly with the National Training Centers to determine their eligibility and program deadline.

Small Research Grant Program for the Next Generation of Researchers in Alzheimer's Disease (R03)

Who is Eligible: Early stage investigators in AD/ADRD research and established researchers who are not currently doing AD/ADRD research
Research area: Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias
Award Amount: $200,000
Award Period: 2 years
Awards Given: approximately 12
Deadlines: February 16, June 16, and October 16.

McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss

Who is eligible: Independent Assistant and Associate Professors
Research area: Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss
Amount of award: $750,000
Award period: 3 years
Number of awards given: Two
Deadline for application: The deadline has passed for 2023

Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research

Who is eligible: Junior investigators (MDs and/or PhDs) with at least 3 years of independent research. Eligible investigators must be at an academic, government or non-profit institution in the US or Canada.
Research area: Basic biology of aging or geroscience
Amount of award: USD375,000
Award period: 3 years
Number of awards given: 18
Deadline for LOI: The deadline has passed for 2023

Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty

Who is eligible: Independent Junior Faculty
Research area: Biology of aging
Amount of award: $150,000
Award period: 1 or 2 years
Number of awards given: Approximately 10
Deadline for LOI: The deadline has passed for 2024

Glenn Foundation Discovery Award

Who is Eligible: Full-time faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher
Research Focus: Biology of aging
Award Amount: $525,000
Award Period: 3 years
Awards Given: 2
Letter of Intent Deadline: The deadline has passed for 2024

Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research

Who is Eligible: Postdoctoral fellows
Research Focus: Basic and translational research that builds on early discoveries that show translational potential for clinical relevant strategies
Award Amount: $75,000
Award Period: 1 year
Awards Given: 10
Letter of Intent Deadline: The deadline has passed for 2024