Call for Emerging Scholar Program (ESP) Proposals 2027-2029

The Life Course Center, an NIA-funded Center on the Demography and Economics of Aging, seeks applicants to participate in a two-year highly structured, mentored pilot research and grant proposal writing program for the period from September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2029. Eligible applicants are new or  early-stage investigators who have not previously received an R-level grant from NIH. During the two-year award period, the first year is focused on pilot work: collecting preliminary data and conducting preliminary analyses to establish the feasibility of the larger proposed project. The second year is focused on grant proposal development (recipients are expected to use year 2 funds to protect their time for writing): receiving in-depth training and mentorship on grant writing and culminating with the submission of an NIA proposal for external funding (commonly a K99/R00, K01, R21 or R01). Proposals must address aging contexts, trends, dynamics, and disparities in health that align with LCC research themes and NIA’s emphasis on life course processes to improve the health and well-being of older adults. 

During the two-year program, Emerging Scholars are required to participate in activities and trainings organized by the LCC and by the Demography and Economics of Aging Coordinating Center (DECC), to attend the Population Association of America meetings at least once, and to work closely with the LCC team and an LCC mentor to develop their proposal. 

We aim to fund up to 4 two-year Emerging Scholar projects with budgets up to $55,000 in total direct costs across the two years (e.g., $35,000 in year 1 and $20,000 in year 2). Preference will be given to

Eligibility

  • Postdocs, faculty, and research scientists who are New or Early Stage Investigators AND who are eligible for PI status (i.e., faculty, postdocs, research scientists). Investigators in demography, economics, and related interdisciplinary population-based social science
  • Previous PIs on NIH R01 grants are not eligible.
  • Graduate students are not eligible for this opportunity.

Key Dates

  • Informational presentation and Q&A session: November 12, 2026 at 10:00am CST
  • Submission of a required letter of intent (LOI). Deadline: November 29, 2026 at 5:00pm CST
  • LOI feedback: mid-December

Funding Priorities

Emerging Scholar projects should be designed to support the development of a larger research project that will be submitted as an NIA R- or K-series proposal (e.g., K99/R00, K01, R21 or R01). Proposals should justify the need for pilot funds and mentoring in order to successfully facilitate transition to a larger independent research project. Emerging Scholar grants are not intended to support work to complete an existing study. Addendums to existing projects are allowable only if they represent a new line of research consistent with LCC themes and have the promise to lead to a new proposal for NIA funding. 

LCC Emerging Scholars will become an integral part of the LCC and a wider network of aging and life course scholars nationwide. They will participate in monthly meetings with peer pilot investigators and LCC leadership. They will also participate in other LCC-organized activities including mentorship meetings, informal gatherings, seminars, and grant writing workshops. They are also expected to participate in workshops and in trainings offered by the Demography and Economics of Aging Coordinating Center (DECC). 

Letter of Intent Requirements

  • Title page (1 page maximum, single-spaced with half inch margins, size 11 font)
    • Investigators (lead and collaborating investigators)
      • Names, departments/units, email addresses
      • Provide the principal investigator’s disciplinary location, career stage, LCC/NDIRA affiliation, and expertise (~¼ page) 
    • Potential LCC mentors
      • Please provide a list of potential LCC members who you would welcome to serve as a mentor on your pilot
  • Additional items (1 page maximum, single-spaced with half inch margins, size 11 font)
    • Significance and innovation, including a short description of the pilot project and the broader project for which you will seek NIA funding, including the anticipated funding mechanism (e.g., K99/R00, K01, R21 or R01) (~½ page)
    • Clear description of relevance of project to LCC themes (~¼ page)
    • Rough budget request for each year of the project (~ ¼ page)

Submit a letter of intent to [email protected], Subject: LCC ESP Letter of Intent, by no later than 5pm CST on November 29, 2026. Full proposals are by invitation only and will be due in mid-January. Instructions will be sent to all applicants moved to the full proposal stage.