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NIA Biomarker Network Visiting Scholar Program

The NIA Biomarker Network: Visiting Scholars Program Request for Applications

Application Open: May 16, 2025
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Notification of Award: July 31, 2025
Earliest Start Date: August  1, 2025
Latest End Date: March 31, 2026

The Biomarker Network is a National Institute of Aging-sponsored project to develop an interdisciplinary group of scientists dedicated to improved measurement of biological risk for late life health outcomes in large representative samples of populations. Activities of the network include designing and carrying out a series of focused meetings, interactive activities, workshops, and pilot projects to harmonize and develop measurement of biological risk in populations. The Biomarker Network is funded through the National Institute on Aging (NIA) grant R24AG037898.

Purpose

This program aims to provide researchers with opportunities to engage with members of the Network for a variety of collaborative activities, including learning about sample collection and processing techniques, co-developing grant proposals or research papers focused on novel statistical or biological methods, and coordinating with other cohort research groups to harmonize data and methodologies. A parallel goal is to provide immersive experiences with expert mentorship to foster the development of early career investigators into independently funded researchers.

Specific objectives include:

  • Supporting junior investigators/study personnel committed to improved measurement of biological risk for late life health outcomes in large representative samples of populations
  • Facilitating structured mentorship
  • Enhancing skills in research design, data collection, and dissemination
  • Producing harmonized data products across Network member studies

Eligibility

The competition is open to graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and all faculty with appointments in the research professor, professor, scientist, or clinical tracks. Study personnel affiliated with a member cohort study are also eligible to apply.

Supported Activities

Exchange duration: 1 week–4 months, depending on availability and project design.

Funding will support activities such as:

  • Travel and housing costs to visit with a Network member, study, or lab
  • Travel or housing costs to have a Network member come visit your institution (i.e. to conduct a training session or work on a harmonized data product)
  • Research-related supplies, if applicable
  • Note: Salary support is not included

Application Instructions

Applications must include:

  1. Research Plan (max 2 pages) including background and career goals, specific aims and activities, and proposed research and mentorship plan
  2. NIH-style Biosketches (Applicant + Mentor(s), max 5 pages each)
  3. Budget and Justification (in any format)
  4. Letters of Support
    Required: From mentor(s) / host study / host lab (max 2 pages).
    If applicable: Institutional support letter (1 page)

Submit applications to: [email protected]

Priority / Review Criteria

Priority will be given to early stage investigators. Priority will also be given to projects that seed innovative research, have the potential to produce publications that advance the Network’s research themes, are likely to serve as a foundation for external funding (e.g., NIH R03, R21, R01), and can be completed over a 12-month period.  Finally, priority will be given to work that directly results in a harmonized and publicly released data file.

Evaluation criteria include:

  • Significance: Will the experience fill a key gap in the applicant’s development / add value to a member cohort study?
  • Approach: Is the project plan feasible and well-reasoned?
  • Investigator: Are the scholar and mentor(s) appropriately matched?
  • Institutional Commitment: Are there sufficient institutional resources and support?
  • Budget: Is the budget reasonable for the proposed activities?

Award Details

  • Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per award
  • Awards will be made in the form of direct reimbursement of travel / other expenses to individual awardee. If a request for Network member travel to your institution is requested, a direct reimbursement of travel will be made to the applicable Network member.
  • Number of Awards: 2-4 awards per year
  • Project Duration: Must be completed by 03/31/2026

Key Dates

Application Open: May 16, 2025
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Notification of Award: July 31, 2025
Earliest Start Date: August  1, 2025
Latest End Date: March 31, 2026

Post-Award Requirements and Details

Submit a Final Progress Report within 30 days of completion to be included in the Network’s annual report to NIA.
Acknowledge support in all resulting publications and presentations

Human Subjects and Compliance

If applicable:

IRB approval must be secured from both home and host institutions, if applicable.
Include a description of protections and training in human subjects research, if applicable.

For questions or additional information, contact: [email protected]