Center for Healthy Aging Research

Overview

The population of Americans aged 65 and over is expected to double in the next 25 years. By 2030, almost 1 out of every 5 Oregonians will be 65 or over.

The vision of the OSU Center for Healthy Aging Research is to become nationally and internationally known for innovative research, education, and outreach that enhances quality of life for older adults, their families, and society. Center researchers from multiple OSU departments join together to plan, coordinate, and conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary studies designed to optimize the health and well-being of aging individuals and their families.

A unique feature of the Center is its cellular to societal focus. It is organized around four research cores:

• Diet & Genetics
• Musculoskeletal
• Population, Social and Individual Health
• Human-Centered Design and Technology

Eligibility

Students currently pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree at OSU and who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to undergraduate students.

Only faculty associated with the Center for Healthy Aging Research are eligible to serve as Faculty Project Advisors. Information on faculty associated with the Center is available on each of the CHAR Research Cores pages.

Award Information

Maximum award is $1000 with a $1000 match from student's faculty advisor or department.

Departmental matches that bring total support to $2,000 are strongly preferred. Students should prepare their budgets showing the total amount requested from both CHAR and the participating department.

Use of Funds

Awards are made to support scholarly, creative and research activities in the interdisciplinary field of aging. Center for Healthy Aging Research support will not be in lieu of existing grant funds previously budgeted for undergraduate research assistance. Work schedules are to be negotiated between the student and the Faculty Project Advisor(s).

Budget Items ELIGIBLE for support

• Student salaries or wages
• Travel by LIFE scholar to conduct research
• Library costs (e.g., duplication costs, acquisition of reference materials)
• Expendable materials and supplies

Budget Items NOT ELIGIBLE for support

• Faculty or postdoctoral student travel
• Equipment purchases
• Costs to prepare, copy or bind theses
• Travel to meetings or conference

Application Procedure

You will need

You will need to complete survey questions, upload the application form and the following documents (as PDF or Word Doc).

• Completed LIFE Scholars application form (docx)
  • Please note that DocuSign is an option for an applicant’s electronic signature on the form. Other methods, such as scanning a signed copy, are allowed.
• Resume (including GPA and transcript (unofficial))
• Letter of support from faculty project advisor
  • Brief support letter, indicating willingness to mentor and availability of matching funds
• Proposal (Project Description & Synergy)
• The files must have the name of the applicant in the title.

Submit application

Thank you for your interest in the LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program. The application window for the 2023 program closed on April 14.

We are currently reviewing applications and will soon announce the awardees.

Please contact us at healthyaging@oregonstate.edu if you have any questions.

Research Compliance

Due to the regulatory compliance requirements inherent in research, students must submit the proper forms and receive approval from the appropriate compliance committees prior to the start of their research. Please note that the Regulatory Compliance Section (Item #7) must be completed by all applicants.

Deadlines

All application materials, including supporting documentation, be emailed by 5 p.m. by the deadline indicated at the beginning of this announcement.

Review Procedure

The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel will review all eligible proposals. The Advisory Panel will provide a prioritized list of funding recommendations to the Director of the Center for Healthy Aging Research based on the quality of the proposals as reflected in the review criteria. Funds will be awarded based on these recommendations.

Review Criteria

The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel is composed of faculty members appointed by the Center for Healthy Aging Research Co-Directors. Students should direct their proposals to a general audience, avoiding the use of jargon and unexplained acronyms.

The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel will evaluate each proposal using the following criteria: (Not in order of importance)

Scholarly Merit

• What is the relevance of the project to aging research?
• Would funding this project create a professional experience for the student that might not otherwise be accessible?
• What educational/experiential benefits will the student gain?
• Is the project interesting?
• Will the proposed activity significantly expand or diversify the student’s or scholarly base?

Nature of Proposal

• Does the proposal provide a clear statement of overall project objectives?
• Does the proposal provide a clear statement of the student’s role?
• Does the proposal provide independent research study for the student?
• Are the proposed methods appropriate and accurate?
• Is the text of the proposal well written?
• Is the personal data well-prepared?

Leverage

• Will the project create opportunities to continue the research/scholarly experience for the student beyond the Center for Healthy Aging Research funding period?
• Will the project help position the student to pursue further scholarly, professional, creative opportunities (e.g., graduate school)?

Other Considerations

• Is the student’s future educational or career plan related to the field of aging?
• Is this a new research experience for the student?
• Student GPA
• Has the student received funding from other OSU research sources?

Other Requirements

Information regarding research compliance

If more information regarding research compliance is needed, refer to the following:

• Sponsored Programs. Ethical Use
• Regulatory Compliance . Human Subjects
• IACUC: Live Vertebrate Animals
• Environmental Health and Safety: Recombinant DNA molecules or chemical carcinogens
• Radiation Safety: Ionizing radiation

Required statement

Any presentations and/or publications made possible by using Center for Healthy Aging Research funding are required to include the statement: "This publication/presentation was funded in part by the Center for Healthy Aging Research, Oregon State University."

Final Reports and Presentations

A final, scholarly report will be due at the end of summer term. The report should contain a brief summary of the activities performed using Center for Healthy Aging Research support. It should also state the benefits gained from this support, including further scholarly activities, research progress, collaborative relationships, and any publications or additional funding made possible for the student. All LIFE Scholars are also expected to participate in at least one public presentation concerning the program and research completed, preferably the Undergraduate Research Conference in the Spring.

Congratulations to the previous LIFE Scholars

The LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program, sponsored by The Center for Healthy Aging Research, provides an opportunity for students to work with a faculty member to develop research skills and an understanding of opportunities in science and research.

The program, which has been running since 2006, has provided support to assist undergraduates in research. We have had many outstanding scholars in the past few years. Congratulations to them all!