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I-REACH Scholar Program

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Infrastructure for REsearch in Aging, Cancer and Health

Application and FAQs:

Funded by NIA Grant

# R21AG075008

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Goals of Scholar Program

  • Expand the scientific workforce at the intersection of aging and cancer.

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  • Create a multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary community devoted to accelerating discoveries to design, deliver and evaluate interventions to guide clinical care to improve the health of the growing population of older cancer survivors.

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Components of Scholar Program

  • Mentee/mentorship contract and training
  • Modular curriculum to provide foundation knowledge
  • Idea labs to develop research ideas
  • Writing groups
  • Mock study sections to review pilot and other grants
  • Experience working with stakeholders
  • Develop pilot grant proposal using Core resources
  • Get mock study section review of pilot- Scholars, faculty, stakeholders
  • Submit pilot or other grant
  • Leadership opportunities (e.g., co-leading meetings, mentoring, leadership training)
  • Access to training at partner sites (e.g., lab skills, mouse models, Pepper Centers)
  • Evaluate all aspects of program
  • Serve as role models and mentors to next Scholar cohorts

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Mentee/Mentor Training

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  • Select mentors from different I-REACH sites and disciplines
  • Complete CIMER mentorship training (4-5 hours)
  • Develop mentoring contract with clear goals (1-2 hours)

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Self-paced Modular Curriculum

  • Provide foundational knowledge
  • Housed in Google Classroom
  • 8 self-paced modules approximately 60 minutes each
  • Each module contains
    • Introduction and learning objectives
    • A brief video lecture
    • A peer-reviewed resource to anchor/reinforce lecture
    • Externally linked media (video clip, podcast etc.)
    • Action steps and resources for deeper learning 
    • Evaluation of learning and/or reflective/peer engagement

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Modules

Module 1: The intersection of aging, cancer survivorship & disparities

Module 2: Biology of aging

Module 3: Biology of cancer

Module 4: Cognitive aging

Module 5: Physical aging

Module 6: Social, behavioral, environmental determinants of aging

Module 7: Interventions to improve health

Module 8: Working with stakeholders

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Synchronous opportunities to engage with experts and fellow scientists

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Scholar Program Awards

  • Cohort of 6-8 Scholars

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  • Eligibility:
    • Pre-doctoral, ready for dissertation; post-doctoral; early stage investigator; or established investigator new to the field
    • Any institution- does not need to be an existing hub/partner
    • Does NOT require US citizenship
  • 1-2 year program

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Scholar Program Application Requirements

    • Statement of career goals, including research interests and how

I-REACH can support career goals (500 words)

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    • Desired types of mentorship

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    • CV or biosketch or summary of accomplishments

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    • Letter from home institution mentor describing their expertise and support for candidate*

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* Can still apply if no home mentor available

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Scholar Program Application Evaluation

    • Committee of I-REACH mentors, early stage investigator committee members and stakeholders

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    • Use NIH Career Award criteria to rank applicants:
      • Commitment to academic careers in pre-clinical, clinical or policy research on aging, cancer and disparities
      • Stage-appropriate track record and future promise
      • Training gaps that I-REACH can fill
      • Candidates and research that contribute to I-REACH’s mission to promote diversity and inclusion

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FAQs

How much time will this take?

  • Mentee training- 4-5 hours CIMER training + 1-2 hours to develop contract with mentors
  • Curriculum- ~ 10 hours
  • Activities:
    • Idea labs- 1 hour each
    • Mock study sections- 1 hour each
    • Writing groups
    • Mentorship
  • Grant writing
  • Evaluation of I-REACH
  • Attend annual I-REACH and specialty meetings

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How do I apply?

  • Go to the I-REACH website for more information and to fill out the application: https://ireach.georgetown.edu/scholar-program-application-faqs/

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FAQs

Would any individual with personal career goals aligned with those of I-REACH be eligible to apply without any restriction based on home institution?

  • Yes
  • Affiliation with I-REACH hubs or partners is not required

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Do I have to move to a new institution?

  • No, I-REACH participation is virtual and should be done from your home institution

What if I don’t have a mentor yet?

  • No mentor letter required
  • Each Scholar will have two I-REACH mentors from complementary disciplines
  • I-REACH mentors will assist in securing a home institution mentor

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FAQs

Do I have to be from an underrepresented group to apply?

  • No
  • Note: the NIH definition of under-represented individuals as those:
    • from minority racial and ethnic groups
    • with disabilities
    • from disadvantaged backgrounds
    • women

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html

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Does the Scholar Award include a stipend?

  • No
  • Travel funds available (e.g., present results at national meeting)
  • Competitive research funds available via Pilot program

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FAQs

Can I apply if I work in a basic science laboratory?

  • Yes, I-REACH includes basic, clinical, population and policy level researchers

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What leadership opportunities will be available?

  • Lead idea labs, mock study sections
  • Co-lead meetings
  • Participate on Committees and Cores
  • Funds available for leadership workshops

Can a non-US citizen apply?

  • Yes
  • US citizenship is required for I-REACH pilots though

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Key Dates

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Applications Due: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

 �Announcement of Awards: Friday, March 20, 2026

�Start Date: July 2026

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Join I-REACH today to stay updated on events and opportunities

https://ireach.georgetown.edu/membership-form/