Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Partnership (2007, 2008, 2009 Cohorts)

Grant Summary

The John A. Hartford Foundation will support the career development of 30 leaders in the field of aging science in conjunction with the National Institute on Aging through a grant to the American Federation for Aging Research for the prestigious Beeson fellowship program. The highly competitive program provides funding for research, advanced training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for medical school junior faculty. Since 1994, the Hartford Foundation, in collaboration with other funders, has supported 115 Beeson scholars with $28.2 million contributed to the $60 million program. The Beeson award provides protected time to limit clinical and administrative responsibilities and allows the scholars to develop expansive, scientifically important research agendas on topics such as the biology of aging, maintenance of health and independence in old age, diseases and disabilities of old age, and systems of care for the elderly. With the help of national research mentors and by participating in annual scientific and networking meetings, Beeson Scholars are primed to be researchers, teachers, and leaders in research and medical education. In the next few decades, the number of older adults will double and it is imperative that the nation has the ability to provide high quality medical care and that new scientific knowledge is developed relevant to aging and clinical care. However, medical schools nationwide have less than onefourth the number of academic physician-scientists presently needed to train current and future doctors in the principles of geriatrics. The Beeson program identifies academic leaders and provides funds at the most vulnerable stage of their career development to cross that critical juncture to mid-career, independent faculty status.Current funding partners for the program include the National Institute on Aging, The Atlantic Philanthropies, and The Starr Foundation, among others.2