Our Pepper Center takes pride in promoting careers of early stage scientists who conduct research on aging as it relates to promoting mobility and independence. We call them Pepper Center Scholars.
Program for Early Career Scientists
Priority is given to promising early-stage faculty who are seeking their first independent funding award. These junior scholars span the translational spectrum of biomedical science, and they are supported in the development of research and leadership skills.
Under the direction of our Research Education leader, each Pepper Scholar will assemble a mentoring committee with one primary mentor and two to four secondary mentors. The trainees and mentors meet regularly to discuss and strategically plan the research agenda, training and development activities and trajectory for independent funding.
Opportunities for Pepper Center Scholars
The following list summaries the benefits of becoming a Pepper Center Scholar.
- Salary support, depending on a percentage appointment within the Pepper Center. A reference number is typically $50,000 maximum per year, which includes fringe.
- Research support for supplies and equipment, depending on research needs, which typically means a $25,000 maximum for basic research and $50,000 maximum for clinical research yearly.
- Travel, tuition and training, based on the annual budget, which is generally up to $1500 annually per scholar
- Statistical consulting and data management assistance
- Availability of shared hardware and software resources
- Other resources from the Pepper Center Cores, for example, assistance with recruitment of research participants, and access to biomedical laboratory expertise and services
- Support of grant development, and the opportunity to have grants reviewed internally and externally
- National networking for aging research collaborations
- Access to competitive pilot grant funds
- Opportunity to present project results at UF and national research forums
To be considered for this scholarship, follow the instructions on the page for Pepper Scholar Application and Expectations.
If you have questions, please contact one of the Roger Fillingim, PhD, or Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, PhD.
Roger B Fillingim PhD