2023 Pepper Scholars Program Application

Northwestern’s Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is now accepting proposals from faculty members and post-doctoral fellows for pilot project awards to support Aging Related Research. 

The goal of the OAIC program is to increase scientific knowledge that allows older adults to maintain, restore, or improve their independence, and the mission of the Northwestern Pepper Center is to improve primary care management of older, more medically complex adults living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC).

Junior faculty (i.e. at the Assistant Professor or Instructor level) and Post-Doctoral Fellows are preferred. Pepper Center Pilot Projects typically provide $100,000 over two years to support pilot research projects. Clinically oriented proposals focusing on the management of older patients with multiple chronic conditions will have the highest priority for funding. However, high quality proposals from promising investigators who are conducting other types of research related to aging, including basic research, may apply and will be considered for funding.  

For this cycle of proposals, we are particularly interested in supporting pilot projects addressing health disparities and health equity in aging research. We will consider disparities across all domains of the social determinants of health, including socio-economic status, disability, immigration status, among others. 

Up to two awards will be made, with the start of funding expected approximately 7/1/2023. 

Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds in research are strongly encouraged to apply.

The deadline for submissions is now 3/31/2023.

Application: The proposal can be up to two pages. The first page should state the specific aims and rationale for the aims. The second page should state the individual’s qualifications and how receipt of a Pepper Center Award would advance the individual’s career goals and facilitate additional subsequent research. If basic research is proposed or if research not directly related to Northwestern’s Pepper Center mission is proposed, applicants are strongly encouraged to include a paragraph highlighting the relevance of their work to aging and Northwestern’s Pepper Center mission. A biosketch and detailed budget should be included with the application. If selected, awardees will be asked to provide a letter of support from the department chair indicating that the awardee will have sufficient protected time available to carry out the proposed research.

Northwestern's Pepper Center is committed to promoting the study of aging in multiple disciplines. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the relevance of your research for these funding mechanisms. 

Questions?