The ASCENT Research Scholar Award is ideal for junior faculty seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators in palliative care research. The award provides protected time, mentorship, and training to help scholars develop competitive research programs and transition to larger, extramurally funded grants.
Applications are open to potential scholars from a range of disciplines across varied institutions and geographic locations focused on any patient population with serious illness. This includes populations with disproportionately higher palliative care needs and/or challenges accessing palliative care services as defined by NIH (see also NIH-Designated Populations with Health Disparities).
Note: Applicants cannot simultaneously apply for both an ASCENT Research Scholar Award and Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award in the same grant cycle.
The award offers two years of support for salary and/or research activities at $150,000 per year in direct costs, plus 8% allowable facilities and administrative costs (total not to exceed $162,000 per year). Up to 13 awards will be granted per cycle. Awards are not renewable.
The award is for two years. The Earliest Start and Budget Date is May 1, 2027
| Letters of Intent Due – Required | August 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Full Proposals Due – By Invitation Only | November 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET |