The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty is a research funding opportunity administered by the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) to support early-career faculty engaged in aging-related -omics research. This award aims to foster the development of junior investigators pursuing innovative research that deepens understanding of the biological mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases through -omics technologies. These technologies include genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and other related disciplines.

This grant is intended to help launch or enhance the careers of junior researchers focusing on geroscience, particularly through studies that explore biological aging as opposed to chronological aging. Research topics may include aging-related therapeutic interventions, cross-species comparisons of aging, or omics analyses focused on age-related diseases. A key component of this initiative is to encourage scientific innovation in the growing field of ger-omics.

The funding amount is up to $150,000, which may be distributed over one or two years as justified by the scope of the research. Overhead or indirect costs may be included, but they must not exceed 8% of the total budget, or $11,111. Only one award is anticipated for the 2025 cycle, with funding set to begin on July 1, 2025. The final narrative and financial reports are due within three months after the end of the award period. Additionally, recipients are expected to attend the annual AFAR Grantee Conference, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange with peers and leaders in the field.

Eligible applicants must be junior faculty with independent research space at U.S.-based institutions, and no more than 10 years beyond their postdoctoral training as of July 1, 2025. Applicants cannot have held major extramural research funding (e.g., NIH R01 or similar) prior to or during the award period. Postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty (Associate Professor or higher), and researchers from for-profit institutions or institutions outside the United States are not eligible. The award is also not intended for Alzheimer’s disease research, for which AFAR offers a separate program. Individuals from underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI) due December 16, 2024. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by late April 2025. LOI decisions will be communicated by mid-March 2025. Award recipients will be announced by mid-June 2025. Institutional commitment forms must accompany the LOI and be emailed separately to AFAR. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications are reviewed based on four criteria: the applicant’s qualifications and research background, the quality and relevance of the proposed research to ger-omics, the strength of the research environment, and the potential for the research to advance the applicant’s career. Final award decisions are made by AFAR based on recommendations from a scientific selection committee. Feedback will not be provided to applicants at any stage of the review process.