Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists’ Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career medical and surgical specialists who want to transition into aging-related research. Applicants must hold an MD, DO, DDS, DVM, or other clinical degree and be in the early stages of their research career (typically within 5 years of completing clinical training). This NIH grant supports clinician-scientists who are conducting research on aging-related topics and want to develop independent research programs. Eligibility includes academic institutions, research hospitals, and clinical departments. Citizenship requirements and institutional affiliation requirements apply per NIH standard policy. The program supports research activities including pilot studies, salary support, and research project costs for these clinical researchers transitioning toward aging research careers.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Jul 8, 2025 Applications open
- Feb 16, 2026 Application deadline
- Dec 16, 2026 Award announced
- Dec 16, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to renew the Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists’ Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) program. The GEMSSTAR program provides support for early-career physician-scientists trained in medical or surgical specialties and early-career dentist-scientists in launching careers as future leaders in aging- or geriatric-focused research. As such, the program seeks applicants who aspire to continue or shift their research focus to bridge their specialty/discipline and the clinical care of older adults. In support of the program’s goal, this NOFO invites applications that propose to conduct transdisciplinary aging research that will yield pilot data and experience for subsequent aging research projects. The GEMSSTAR program encourages candidates to seek out a supportive research environment to further the program’s objectives of fostering the development of early-career physician- and dentist-scientists in aging- or geriatric-focused research, particularly as it applies to their clinical specialty/discipline.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO intends to utilize the R03 activity code.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance
- Research Strategy (specific aims, significance, innovation, approach, preliminary data)
- Biosketch of applicant (NIH format, 5 pages)
- Biosketch of mentor(s) (NIH format, 5 pages each)
- Letter of commitment from mentor(s)
- Institutional support letter from department chair/research administrator
- Budget and budget justification
- Supporting documents (reprints, preliminary data, institutional resources available)
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- IRB/IACUC approval documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Laura Major, DrPH National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- 📧 niagemsstar@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 NA
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$463,372,200
-
$172,327,224
-
$115,145,694
-
$99,649,073
-
$93,275,174
-
$82,572,681
-
$81,344,612
-
$78,657,309
-
$75,825,492
-
$75,398,895
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $633.7M
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- MO 8 awards $453.5M
- IN 4 awards $303.9M
- PA 6 awards $298.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for GEMSSTAR?
Early-career physicians, surgeons, and other clinical specialists (MD, DO, DDS, DVM holders) within approximately 5 years of completing clinical training who want to develop independent research careers in aging-related fields. You must hold a faculty or clinical position at an eligible institution.
What types of research does GEMSSTAR support?
Research focused on aging-related topics, including basic science, clinical, translational, and health services research on aging. The grant supports the researcher's salary, pilot projects, and direct research costs to help establish an independent research program.
What are the typical deadlines and funding amounts?
GEMSSTAR typically has one or two application deadlines per year (check NIH Research.gov for current deadlines). Funding typically ranges from $250,000 to $500,000 per year for up to 5 years, but amounts may vary. Check the grant announcement for specific details.
How competitive is GEMSSTAR?
This is a moderately competitive NIH career development grant. Success requires a clear research plan, strong preliminary data, evidence of mentorship, and demonstrated commitment to an aging research career. Institutional research support and a good mentor are important factors.
What documents are required for an application?
Standard NIH documents including the SF-424 (R&R), research plan (including specific aims, significance, innovation, approach), biosketch of applicant and mentor(s), budget justification, institutional support letter, and letters of commitment from mentors. Preliminary data are typically expected.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early and secure a strong mentor or mentorship team experienced in aging research. Your mentor(s) must commit significant time to your development and show track record of supporting early-career researchers.
- Develop clear, feasible preliminary data for your proposed research. NIH expects evidence that your proposed research direction is promising and builds logically on prior work. Pilot studies or initial findings strengthen your application.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment by obtaining letters of support from your department chair and/or mentor(s). Show that your institution is invested in your transition to research and will provide protected research time.
- Align your research proposal with NIH's aging research priorities and be specific about how your clinical training informs your research questions. Make the case that your clinical background uniquely positions you to answer important aging-related questions.
- Budget conservatively for personnel and supplies, but ensure your budget reflects realistic research plans. Include salary for yourself (typically 25-40% effort), key personnel, and necessary research costs. Clearly justify how NIH support will enable your transition to independent research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applicants fail to provide sufficient preliminary data or overpromise what can be accomplished with the funding level. Reviewers expect evidence that you've already begun investigating your research question. Additionally, weak mentorship letters or mentors who commit insufficient time is a frequent rejection reason. Applications that don't clearly demonstrate how the applicant's clinical expertise connects to the research proposal often score poorly—make this link explicit and compelling.
Similar grants
- OPEN Renewal of the Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research (Clin-STAR) Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIA Academic Leadership Career Award (K07 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED Advancing Nutrition-related Research Across the Lifespan — National Institutes of Health