Since 1981, AFAR has provided more than $113 million to nearly 2,500 new investigators and students. To learn more about each grant, click below or contact the AFAR grant divas at the AFAR office (212)703-9977.

AFAR Selection Committees
AFAR Award Recipients
Principles of Animal Use for Gerontological Research
Funding opportunities from other organizations

Questions about eligibility, an application or a deadline? Check out the Grants FAQ.

AFAR Research Grants
AFAR provides up to $75,000 for a one- to two-year award to junior faculty (M.D.'s and Ph.D.'s) to do research that will serve as the basis for longer term research efforts. AFAR-supported investigators study a broad range of biomedical and clinical topics including the causes of cellular senescence, the role of estrogen in the development of osteoporosis, the genetic factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, the effects of nutrition and exercise on the aging process, and much more. Since 1981, over 600 AFAR Research Grants have been awarded. Application Deadline: December 16, 2008. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines and here for the 2009 Application. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease
This program supports research in areas in which more scientific investigation is needed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The program also encourages junior investigators in the United States and Israel to pursue research and academic careers in the neurosciences, and Alzheimer's disease in particular. Up to five one- to two-year awards of $75,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: December 16, 2008 for U.S. candidates and December 30, 2008 for Israeli candidates. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines and here for the 2009 Application. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

Paul Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, The John A. Hartford Foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies (USA), the Starr Foundation, and an anonymous donor are collaborating on this initiative to sustain and promote the research careers of clinically trained individuals who are pursuing research careers in aging. Deadline for letter of intent is October 3, 2008 (not required); application receipt date is November 3, 2008. The RFA can be accessed here. For additional information click here. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

The Paul Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program for the Island of Ireland
This program provides one award of up to €339,390/£228,000 each to outstanding junior physician faculty on the Island of Ireland, who are committed to pursuing academic careers in aging-related research, teaching and practice. Application Deadline: January 22, 2009. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines . The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

The Julie Martin Mid-Career Award in Aging Research
Sponsored by the Ellison Medical Foundation, this program encourages outstanding mid-career scientists who have not been engaged in aging research but whose research is relevant and could lead to novel approaches to aging. Also eligible are aging researchers whose research is high risk, and thus not attractive to NIH or other traditional sources, but has the potential for high payoff in advancing our understanding of basic aging. Two four-year awards of $550,000 will be awarded. Application Deadline: December 16, 2008. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines and here for the 2009 Application. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

Glenn/AFAR Breakthroughs in Gerontology Award
The goal of the Glenn/AFAR BIG program is to provide timely support to a pilot research program that may be of relatively high risk but which offers significant promise of yielding transforming discoveries in the fundamental biology of aging. Full-time faculty members at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher who can demonstrate a strong record of independence are eligible. Two two-year grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded. Application Deadline: December 16, 2008. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines and here for the 2009 Application. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

The Cart Fund, Inc. encourages exploratory and developmental AD research projects within the United States by providing support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data, but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. Up to two $250,000 awards will be awarded in 2009. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer. Click here for the 2009 guidelines.

Ellison Medical Foundation/AFAR Senior Postdoctoral Fellows Research Program
This program is no longer being offered. Interested candidates should consider the Ellison/AFAR Postdoctoral Fellows in Aging Research Program, below.

Ellison Medical Foundation/AFAR Postdoctoral Fellows in Aging Research Program
The program was developed to address the current concerns about an adequate funding base for postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) who conduct research in the fundamental mechanisms of aging. Postdoctoral fellows at all levels of training are eligible. Up to fifteen one-year fellowships ranging from $44,850 to $58,850 will be awarded. Application Deadline: December 16, 2008. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines and here for the 2009 Application. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the summer.

Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program
To encourage medical students - particularly budding researchers - to consider a career in academic geriatrics, this program awards short-term scholarships. AFAR has partnered with the NIA and several foundations to continue and strengthen the original Hartford/AFAR Medical Student Geriatric Scholars Program. Application Deadline: February 6, 2009. Click here for the complete 2009 guidelines. The deadline for the 2009 program has passed. The 2010 guidelines will be available in the fall.