The objective of Ellison Medical Foundation New Scholars Program is to support new investigators of outstanding promise in the basic biological and clinical sciences relevant to understanding aging processes and age-related diseases and disabilities. The award is intended to provide significant support to new investigators needed to permit them to become established in the field of aging. Now in its second year, the New Scholars Program provides awards of $50,000 per year for a four year period for successful candidates. The Ellison Medical Foundation has been established by a gift from Mr. Lawrence J. Ellison to support biomedical research (including basic biology, epidemiology, and clinical investigation) on aging.

Restrictions
Applications are solicited by invitation only. Institutions not currently invited may contact Richard L. Sprott to discuss an application for inclusion on the program.

As of March 31, 2000, nominees must hold full time appointments (tenure or non-tenure) on the faculty of the sponsoring institution and they must not have been in such an appointment, at the sponsoring institution or other institution(s), for more than three years as of July 15, 2000. Time spent in clinical internships, post-doctoral training, residencies or in work toward board certification does not count as part of the three year limit. Ellison Medical Foundation applicants may not hold other similar fellowships (e.g. Pew Charitable Trust, Hughes Foundation, Beeson Scholar, AFAR, Brookdale, Hartford Foundation) concurrently with an Ellison Medical Foundation New Scholar Award.

Nominees for the New Scholars Award are expected to have great promise as potential leaders of biomedical science with relevance to aging. Each nominee's potential for scientific innovation, leadership, and relevance to aging will be evaluated by the Scientific Advisory Board, based upon the nominee's research proposal, scientific contributions to date, and the reference statements provided by those who know the nominee and his/her work well. The quality and relevance of the nominee's publications and the importance to aging of the nominee's proposed research will be significant factors in the evaluation process.

Terms
Each award will be made for $50,000 per year for a four year period. Funding for years two, three and four is contingent upon submission of an acceptable progress report.

Acceptable uses for award funds include salary, other personnel, equipment, supplies, resource acquisition and travel. The scholar's salary costs (including fringe benefits) may not exceed $10,000 per year. Up to 50% of any year's funds may be automatically carried over from one year to another. Carry-overs in excess of $25,000 must be approved by the Ellison Medical Foundation Scholars Program Office. Not more than 8% of the total award may be deducted for overhead costs.

Award recipients are invited to attend the Ellison Medical Foundation Annual Colloquium on Aging held each summer at the Marine Biological Laboratories at Woods Hole, MA. The colloquium will provide an opportunity for scholars to interact with each other and with scientific leaders in sciences relevant to aging. The cost of attendance will be supported by the foundation.

Depending upon the number of nominations submitted and the qualifications of the nominees, at least 10 scholars will be selected.

Schedule

• Nominations are due no later than March 31, 2000.
• Award recipients will be announced June 1, 2000.
• Recipients will be invited to attend the Aging Colloquium August 10-12, 2000. Attendance will be supported by the foundation.
• Payment of award funds to sponsoring institutions will be made in August, 2000.

Richard L. Sprott, Ph. D.
Executive Director
The Ellison Medical Foundation
4710 Bethesda Avenue
Suite 204
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-1830 / 2511 (Phone)
(301) 657-1828 (Fax)

[email protected]