Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 20 018

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 20 018

The Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help early-career physician-scientists and dentist-scientists build a strong старт in aging- and geriatrics-focused research. The central purpose is career-launch support: it is meant for clinicians trained in medical or surgical specialties (as well as dentists) who are still early in their research trajectory and want to become future leaders in aging research. Rather than funding large, long-term projects, this program focuses on enabling smaller, targeted studies that help investigators gain the experience, collaborations, and preliminary findings needed to compete for larger aging research awards later.

This opportunity uses the R03 mechanism, which is typically intended for small research grants and pilot or feasibility projects. The FOA emphasizes transdisciplinary aging research, meaning the supported projects should draw on more than one discipline or perspective (for example, clinical practice combined with geriatrics, health services research, behavioral science, rehabilitation, implementation science, or other relevant fields). The idea is that awardees will generate pilot data, refine methods, and demonstrate proof of concept in ways that position them for subsequent, more substantial aging research proposals. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, which signals that applicants may propose clinical trial work if it fits the goals and rules of the FOA, but a clinical trial is not required.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary grant funding in the health category, under CFDA number 93.866, with NIH as the sponsoring agency. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is stated as $100,000. The original closing date shown for this particular posting is October 2, 2019, and the opportunity was created on June 25, 2019, indicating this is a dated announcement as presented in the source data.

Eligibility is broad at the organizational level, reflecting NIH's general approach to institutional eligibility for research grants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as state, county, and city or township 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education where relevant); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and tribal governments that are not federally recognized.

At the same time, the announcement draws clear boundaries around non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, the FOA allows foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may be able to include certain foreign elements in the project (for example, a specific collaboration, resource, or performance site) if it meets NIH's definition and is justified appropriately, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the primary applicant.

Overall, GEMSSTAR is best understood as a stepping-stone program: it backs early-career clinician-scientists who want to pivot or deepen their focus into aging-related research by funding a small, cross-disciplinary project that produces early evidence and research momentum. The expected outcome is not just a completed pilot study, but a stronger platform for the investigator to pursue larger, sustained aging research funding and develop into a recognized leader in geriatrics or aging science.

• 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 2019-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-10-02. (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 20 018

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: