Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research, or GEMSSTAR, program is a federal funding opportunity administered through the National Institutes of Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, with participation from the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The opportunity uses the NIH R03 Small Grant Program activity code. Its purpose is to support early career clinician scientists trained in medical or surgical specialties as they establish careers in aging or geriatric focused research. The program is intended to help investigators conduct an early independent research project, generate pilot data and research experience, and build a foundation for subsequent aging research. Projects should integrate gerontologic or geriatric research with the applicant's clinical specialty or discipline. Appropriate activities may include pilot or feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing data, research methodology development, new research technology development, and similar approaches. Projects may involve basic, translational, clinical, genetic, or epidemiologic science and may use human subjects, animal models, or in vitro systems when appropriate. Clinical trials are optional, although the limited budget and project period generally make mechanistic trials or small pilot trials the most feasible. Applicants considering a clinical trial are strongly encouraged to consult NIA program staff early. Each project period is limited to two years, and application budgets are limited to $125,000 in direct costs per year. Professional Development Plan activities must be supported independently of the R03 research plan and funding. Cost sharing is not required. Eligible applicant organizations include domestic public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, other for profit organizations, state and local governments, special district governments, tribal governments and organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, independent school districts, public and Indian housing authorities, faith based or community based organizations, and regional organizations. Foreign organizations and non U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, although foreign components are allowed. Foreign subawards and subcontracts are prohibited. The PD or PI must have a clinical doctoral degree and generally must be an early career clinician scientist. Candidates must have, or have documented institutional commitment for, a faculty appointment by the beginning of GEMSSTAR funding. Candidates are typically expected to be within ten years of completing training, although exceptions may be granted. Certain prior NIH aging related career development or research awards can make an applicant ineligible, while specified institutional awards and prior awards in non aging fields may remain compatible with eligibility. Applications must follow the NIH Research application instructions and the program specific requirements of the funding opportunity. Submission is electronic through NIH ASSIST, an institutional system to system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace, with application tracking through eRA Commons. Required registrations must be completed before submission. The application includes the applicable NIH forms and research plan materials, a Modular Budget, biographical sketches, Letters of Support, applicable human subjects and clinical trial materials, resource sharing information, and a Data Management and Sharing Plan when the research will generate scientific data. Applicants must also submit a Professional Development Plan as an Other Attachment. The plan is limited to five pages and must describe individualized resources, activities, collaborations, mentorship, and didactic or practical experiences designed to strengthen aging or geriatrics research skills and increase the likelihood of successful completion of the GEMSSTAR project. Peer review considers the importance of the research, including significance and innovation, as well as rigor and feasibility, investigator expertise, and the research environment. Reviewers also consider applicable human subjects protections, vertebrate animal protections, biohazards, the Professional Development Plan, and whether the proposed budget and period of support are reasonable. Following initial scientific peer review, recommended applications receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Council on Aging. Funding decisions consider scientific and technical merit, availability of funds, and relevance to program priorities. NIA intends to commit $3,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 for 15 awards focused on general aging topics and $800,000 in each of those fiscal years for four awards focused on Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The opportunity was posted September 1, 2026, and the earliest submission date is October 10, 2026. For the first cycle, new applications are due November 10, 2026, while resubmissions are due November 16, 2026. Additional listed due dates extend through July 16, 2028 depending on application type, and the opportunity expires July 17, 2028. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, and no late applications will be accepted under this opportunity. The first listed review cycle anticipates scientific merit review in March 2027, advisory council review in May 2027, and an earliest start date in July 2027. Scientific questions may be directed to NIA Training at NIATraining@mail.nih.gov. Other participating institutes provide their own program contacts, and NIMHD lists 301-402-1366 for inquiries. Financial or grants management questions for NIA may be directed to NIA-NOFO-Grants@nih.gov.

Emphasize how the project advances aging or geriatrics science within the applicant's clinical specialty and supports a transition into aging research. Build a supportive research environment and include at least one senior collaborator with complementary aging research expertise. Tailor the Professional Development Plan to specific aging or geriatrics skill gaps and identify independent support for it. Address significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, investigator expertise, environment, recruitment and retention, and population representation where applicable. For clinical trials, keep scope feasible within the limited two year period and budget and contact NIA program staff early. Submit early enough to correct electronic submission errors before the deadline.