New York, New York — The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and Hevolution Foundation are pleased to announce a pilot, global research grant program that will help early-career investigators conduct research that can lead to health-extending therapeutics and treatments. Developed with funding from Hevolution Foundation, the grant initiative is a significant boost to the field, as it provides multi-year, non-governmental support for junior researchers exploring innovative approaches in aging research.
The Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research will provide up to 18, three-year awards of US $375,000 each and will support research projects in basic biology of aging or geroscience — a research paradigm based on addressing the biology of aging and age-related disease to promote healthy aging. Funding will be made available to investigators with labs across the globe, expanding the pipeline of researchers in aging.
In addition, Hevolution Foundation will establish a Scientific Conferences Fund, managed by AFAR, that will support aging-related conferences and scientific meetings to foster scientific exchange, networking, and collaboration worldwide.
“Since AFAR’s founding over four decades ago, the field of aging research made tremendous strides in basic research that can soon move into therapeutic interventions to lessen illness and enhance vitality,” states Steven N. Austad, PhD, AFAR Senior Scientific Director. “If we can target the biology of aging, we can delay age-related disease. This can not only reduce health care costs but add years of health to the lives of older adults.”
“Support of junior researchers is a key part of our goal of advancing the field of aging research and geroscience globally, and of supporting a global ecosystem of talent,” commented Felipe Sierra, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Hevolution Foundation. “To that end, we are delighted to establish the Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research, as well as the Scientific Conferences Fund with AFAR, which together mark our first collaboration as an organization.”
Recipients of the New Investigator Awards will be chosen through a rigorous, peer-review process. Applications will be reviewed by established aging researchers who volunteer their time and expertise to select scientists and research projects that have the greatest likelihood of making significant contributions to help us stay healthier longer as we grow older.
AFAR and Hevolution Foundation plan to announce the awardees in the coming months.
For more information on the Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience and the Hevolution Foundation Scientific Conferences Fund, as well as all AFAR grant programs, please visit www.afar.org/funding-opportunities.
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About AFAR
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a national non-profit organization that supports and advances pioneering biomedical research that is revolutionizing how we live healthier and longer. For more than four decades, AFAR has served as the field’s talent incubator, providing more than $189 million to more than 4,300 investigators at premier research institutions nationwide. A trusted leader and strategist, AFAR also works with public and private funders to steer high quality grant programs and interdisciplinary research networks. AFAR-funded researchers are finding that modifying basic cellular processes can delay—or even prevent—many chronic diseases, often at the same time. They are discovering that it is never too late—or too early—to improve health. This groundbreaking science is paving the way for innovative new therapies that promise to improve and extend our quality of life—at any age. Learn more at www.afar.org or follow AFARorg on Twitter and Facebook and American Federation for Aging Research on LinkedIn.
About Hevolution Foundation
Founded in the belief that every person has the right to live a longer, healthier life, Hevolution Foundation is a global catalyst, partner, and convener, on a mission to drive efforts to extend healthy human lifespan and understand the processes of aging. With a focus on aging as a treatable process, Hevolution Foundation aims to increase the number of aging-related treatments on the market, compress the timeline of drug development, and increase accessibility to therapeutics that extend healthy lifespan, also known as healthspan. A non-profit organization headquartered in Riyadh, with an annual budget of up to $1 Billion, Hevolution Foundation plans to open hubs in North America and other global locations to support a cutting-edge, global ecosystem of talent to propel aging and geroscience research forward and achieve medical breakthroughs to help humanity live healthier, longer. Connect with Hevolution Foundation on LinkedIn and at Hevolution.com.