Applying to scientist program

• The applicant must be at the level of a postdoctoral fellow or an assistant professor at UCSF or UC Merced, whose research aligns with the CADC theme (understanding multilevel social and behavioral mechanisms of health disparities impacting older adults and developing community and practice- based interventions to achieve optimal health), and has a strong commitment to reducing health disparities in older populations. If funded, the CADC Scientist will receive pilot funds and will be Principal Investigator (PI) of the pilot. 
• Applicants must not have received a previous independent research award of the R01 type from the NIH or similar funding agencies. Investigators who have received previous/current funding from faculty development awards (e.g., K awards) are eligible.
• We will consider applications from previously funded CADC Scientists or Scientists previously funded by other RCMAR centers, but will give preference to new applicants. Scientists may not concurrently hold two RCMAR pilot awards.  

All eligible candidates are welcome to apply. UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.

Proposed pilot studies must be focused on health disparities in aging populations with a behavioral and social research approach. Pilots may be secondary analyses of data sets or primary data collection that is feasible within one-year. Pilot feasibility and acceptability studies will be considered, but clinical trials will not be funded. Here are examples of potential research areas and topics that we will fund:

1. Health promotion and healthy aging topics including life course events or circumstances that impact aging;
2. Research projects with older adults that engage community-based organizations; 
3. Cognitive function among older adults;
4. Studies of aging and the arts (e.g., music, dance, art);
5. Proposals using secondary data that focus on aging;
6. Studies on the health and well-being of informal caregivers;
7. Studies on the determinants, outcomes, and palliation of disability in older adults;
8. Studies to improve the quality of health care delivery for older patients.

An application (single-spaced, 0.5 margins, and in Arial 11 font) must include the following:

1. Cover Page: Include name, current position, institution, main research mentor name, and study title. 
2. Research Plan: Using the following required format and page limits (7 pages maximum excluding references):

a) Specific Aims (1 page) Include a brief background, significance, overview of the study, long-term objectives, and specific aims.

b) Lay summary (200-words or less) Include a paragraph summary of your proposed project for a lay audience (avoid acronyms and jargon).

c) Personal Statement and Career Goals (1 page) Include a summary of your background, preparation for research, and career objectives.  Also address: 1) how you and your pilot project are a good fit for this program that aims to enhance the aging research workforce; 2) how your personal background and experience will contribute to CADC's research goals of understanding and reducing health disparities in aging populations; 3) how the proposed pilot study is in alignment with your research career objectives; and 4) how your pilot study findings will contribute to the submission of a future NIA research grant application (e.g., K award, R21, R01).

d) Significance for Health Disparities and Aging Research (1 page) Include 1) how your pilot study will contribute to the reduction of health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of older adults; and 2) how your pilot study is relevant to social, behavioral, psychological, and/or economic research on aging and aging-relevant health disparities.

e) Research Methods (3 pages) Include an overview of research design and methods, and detailed discussion of: setting, participants and sources of participants, recruitment methods, measures/variables to be used, sample size calculation as appropriate for your research design, and analytic plan. Include at least one paragraph on expected findings and implications of your study.  You may include preliminary studies/data, if applicable.

3. NIH biosketch

4. One-year budget not to exceed $50,000 and a budget justification using NIH forms.  

   These budgets will need to be approved by NIA if selected for funding. Expenses may include salary and fringe benefits for the PI and research staff (but not for mentors), research supplies, and participant payments.

   UCSF applicants: Do not include indirect costs to Division/Department in your budget.

   UCM applicants: Please include any travel costs to attend in-person meetings at UCSF in your direct costs. Ok to include indirect costs to UCM following NIH rules.

5. Letter of Support from your main research mentor (1-page).
6. Inclusion Enrollment Report/Planned Enrollment Table
7. CITI Human Subjects Protection Training certificate

Pilot study proposals will receive priority scores based on the written reviews and a discussion by the CADC Pilot Review Panel. Selection of awards will be on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Significance of question and relevance to CADC's research theme 
2. Feasibility of conducting the study in one year with funds allocated  
3. Scientific strength of the design, methods, and analytic plans 
4. Potential of applicant to develop an independent research proposal after completing the study;
5. Other considerations (e.g., representation of a variety of aging research disciplines, research topics, or candidates' background and experience as they pertain to health disparities and aging research).

Finally, the scope of each pilot study should be such that it provides preliminary data for a subsequent NIA grant submission (e.g., K, R21, or R01 or equivalent).

Funding decisions will be made by Wednesday, March 31, 2026.

Interested applicants are encouraged to connect with CADC leaders via Zoom to address any questions.  If scheduling conflicts preclude attendance, email inquiries are welcome.

• Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 12-1pm – Zoom link available here
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 12-1pm – Zoom link available here

• Applicants may email Dr. Leah Karliner with programmatic or eligibility questions at [email protected].
• For general information or questions regarding the application process or this RFA, contact: Anita Ponce at [email protected].