Applications now open!

2025-2026 Bruce McEwen Fellowship on Social Determinants of Health

Deadline: July 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm EDT (UTC-5)

Notification of award: August 2025

Proposed start date: no later than November 2025. 

The NIA-supported Research Network on Animal Models to Understand Social Dimensions of Aging is pleased to announce the 2025 Bruce McEwen Career Development Fellowship on Social Determinants of Health. This award will support outstanding junior scientists in research-related activities with high potential to advance the use of animal models or comparative approaches to understand the social determinants of health and aging.

Eligibility: Advanced PhD students, post-docs, or Assistant Professors affiliated with a United States-based institution, or proposing to conduct research at such an institution; there are no citizenship or permanent residency requirements. The applicant should propose a research program within the broad scope of the research network’s interests and have an outstanding track record of accomplishments. Previous McEwen fellows are ineligible for another award. 

Details: We expect to award 1 – 3 fellowships with budgets of $3,000 – $6,000 each in 2025. The award funds can be used to support a short-term residency at an awardee-selected institution, to develop a new mentorship/collaborative relationship, or for secondary data analysis, new skill acquisition, manuscript writing, or professional development/planning.

Fellowships will be paid directly to the awardees and cannot be issued to institutions (note: fellowships may be considered taxable income). Awardees are expected to complete their experience and use the funds within 12 months of the award, and will submit a report of their activities within two months of completion. Awardees will also be invited to participate in subsequent Research Network meetings and activities.

Application: 

1. Current NIH-format Biosketch

2. Primary application document (2 pages max) that includes:

   1. Paragraph-length description of the applicant’s relevant background;

   2. Description of the proposed research activity and its relevance to animal models for the social dimensions of health and aging;

   3. Proposed timeline, budget justification, and anticipated outcomes. 

Additional documents, where applicable:

1. Letter of support from the host PI or institution (If the primary purpose of the fellowship will be to support short-term collaborative or training visits to a different institution).

The full application packet saved in a single pdf file named “Lastname.Firstname.McEwen.2025.pdf” should be submitted via email to soci-age@umn.edu by July 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm EDT (UTC-5).

Review of the application and priorities: Applications will be reviewed by the Research Network PIs, members of the Advisory Board, and ad hoc reviewers with appropriate expertise, if necessary. The highest priority applications will clearly articulate the value of the proposed activity for research on the social determinants of health and aging and for the applicant’s professional development and training.

Acknowledgements: Resulting publications, presentations or material disclosed to the public domain should be shared with the R24 PIs for posting on the Network website and should include the following statement: “Supported by the Bruce McEwen Career Development Fellowship and the Animal Models for the Social Dimensions of Health and Aging: a Research Network (NIH/NIA R24 AG065172).”