Transition to Aging Research for Predoctoral Students

The Transition to Aging Research for Predoctoral Students is a forecasted funding opportunity from the National Institutes of Health, specifically administered through the National Institute on Aging. This initiative is designed as part of the federal government’s broader investment in advancing biomedical and behavioral research related to aging. The National Institute on Aging plays a central role in supporting research on the aging process, age-related diseases, and the health and well-being of older adults. Through this program, the agency seeks to cultivate a pipeline of skilled researchers prepared to contribute to aging-focused scientific inquiry. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to support outstanding late-stage doctoral students who are interested in transitioning into postdoctoral research careers focused on aging. The program uses a two-phase funding structure under the F99/K00 activity code. The first phase supports the completion of a doctoral dissertation, regardless of whether the research topic directly aligns with the institute’s priority areas. The second phase is designed to facilitate the transition into a competitive postdoctoral position that is explicitly focused on aging research, thereby strengthening the workforce dedicated to this field. Funding under this program is intended to cover activities that support dissertation completion and postdoctoral training preparation. While specific allowable costs are not detailed in the forecast notice, typical uses for this type of NIH training award include stipend support, research-related expenses, and career development activities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, which lowers the financial burden on applicants and their institutions. The program emphasizes training and career transition rather than large-scale research project funding. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include private and public institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, county governments, and Native American tribal entities. The intent is to allow doctoral students affiliated with diverse institutions to apply, provided they meet the program’s focus on late-stage graduate training and interest in aging research careers. The submission process is not yet open, as this is a forecasted opportunity intended to provide advance notice to potential applicants. The agency encourages prospective applicants to use this lead time to develop meaningful collaborations and prepare responsive research and training plans. Once officially released, applicants can expect to submit materials through standard NIH application systems, which typically include research plans, training statements, institutional support documentation, and career development components. The estimated timeline indicates that the funding opportunity announcement will be posted around November 1, 2025, with an application deadline of February 17, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by December 1, 2026, with project start dates aligned to the same timeframe. This structured timeline reflects NIH’s standard review and award cycle. As a forecasted and likely recurring program aligned with NIH training mechanisms, it is expected that similar opportunities will be issued in future cycles. For additional information, applicants may contact the program official, Jamie Lahvic, via email or phone as provided in the notice.