Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award, administered by the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), supports innovative early-career investigators pursuing research in aging-related -omics. Founded in 1981, AFAR is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing biomedical research on aging and age-related diseases, providing critical support for researchers at all stages. This program aligns with AFAR's commitment to developing the next generation of aging researchers by funding high-potential projects that utilize modern biological tools to better understand the aging process. This award specifically targets junior faculty—MDs and PhDs—who are committed to studying ger-omics, which includes -omics disciplines like genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and methylomics, particularly as they relate to biological rather than chronological aging. Comparative -omics across species with varying lifespans and studies of aging-related interventions are also supported. The award will provide up to $160,000 over one or two years, with applicants permitted to allocate up to 8% (maximum $11,852) for indirect costs. The anticipated start date for the 2026 award is July 1, 2026. To qualify, applicants must be independent investigators with their own research space and must be within 10 years of beginning postdoctoral research training as of the award start date. Certain exceptions to this rule may be considered upon request for personal or familial reasons. Individuals ineligible for this award include postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty (associate professor or higher), those with major federal research funding (e.g., R01, DP1), former recipients of the Sagol, AFAR, or Glenn Foundation junior faculty awards, and researchers at for-profit or non-U.S. institutions. Projects focusing on Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias are also excluded and directed toward a separate AFAR program. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) due by December 15, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited in mid-March 2026 to submit a full application by late April. Award decisions will be made by mid-June. Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant's qualifications, quality of the research, the research environment, and potential impact on the applicant’s career in aging research. All final decisions are made by AFAR based on committee recommendations. Applicants must submit LOIs via the designated online portal and email the required Institutional Commitment form. While reviewer feedback is not provided, AFAR offers resources including LOI submission tips and guidelines for aging rodent research, which may aid in preparing a competitive application. The recipient is also expected to attend the AFAR Grantee Conference, which promotes networking, mentorship, and sharing of research progress. Final financial and narrative reports are due within three months of the award’s end. This award is funded by The Sagol Network, a philanthropic organization focused on advancing biomedical and aging research initiatives.

Emphasis is placed on applicant qualifications, project’s relevance to ger-omics, quality of the research environment, and the impact on career development in aging research.