Research Development Core

The primary goal of the Research and Development Core's Aging Research Pilot Award Program is to recruit and support new investigators—from trainees and early-stage scientists to more established researchers without prior experience in aging biology—to explore innovative research focused on DNA damage and repair, a central aspect of genomic instability. The program offers up to eight annual awards split between internal and external applicants, to ensure both local and national access to the Minnesota Nathan Shock Center (MN NSC) Research Cores. These Pilot Awards are intended to stimulate novel research directions that integrate at least one of the MN NSC Cores and prioritize conceptual innovation over extension of ongoing projects. Applicants are encouraged to pursue questions that could lead to future independent funding, especially from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Proposals will be prioritized based on originality, scientific rigor, and relevance to the biology of aging.

The award process is structured with a rigorous two-tier review system, ensuring high-quality scientific oversight and alignment with NIH standards for research reproducibility and integrity. Phase one screens eligibility through letters of intent, while phase two requires a detailed proposal modeled after an NIH R03 format. Awardees receive structured support including initial planning meetings, milestone setting, and biannual progress reviews. They also benefit from mentorship, access to biostatistical consultation, and integration with the broader aging research community through presentations and professional development opportunities. This comprehensive oversight aims not only to support individual projects but to grow a diverse, collaborative network of aging researchers committed to high-impact, translational science.