Diana Jacobs Kalman/AFAR Graduate Student Awards in Geroscience

The Diana Jacobs Kalman/AFAR Graduate Student Awards in Geroscience recognizes talented graduate students who show great promise to become the next generation of leaders in aging research. To be considered for the award, a candidate must be nominated by their PhD mentor or other leader in geroscience, aging research or a related discipline. The award recognizes students enrolled in MD, DO, PhD, or combined-degree programs in the United States, who have a strong academic record, have a track record of high-quality and relevant research in geroscience, biology of aging, or related discipline, are highly motivated and inquisitive, and show promise to become leaders in geroscience and aging research. Up to ten awards will be awarded in 2026. Each award is $5,000 and should be used towards research and/or academic advancement such as workshops, conferences, etc. The award will be paid to the institution, not to the awardee. Nominations are reviewed based on leadership potential rather than a research project, with evaluation criteria including scientific potential, originality of ideas, independence, potential to advance the field of geroscience and/or aging research, evidence of resilience, leadership, mentorship of peers, contributions to collaborative science, and quality and impact of contributions relative to opportunity.