Opportunities

The DECC is committed to fostering collaboration and advancing high-impact research across our network. This page compiles open calls for proposals, funding opportunities, and other invitations to engage — curated for researchers working at the intersection of demography, economics, and aging. Check back regularly as new opportunities are added, or contact us to learn more about how your work might align with DECC priorities.

EdDem 2026 Call for Proposals

The Network on Early-Life Determinants, Biosocial Pathways, and Dementia (EdDem) invites applications for pilot research projects that advance understanding of how early-life determinants influence cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Applications due October 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Invitation to Participate in EdDem December 2026 Grant Mentoring Workshop

Planning an NIA grant submission? EdDem is now inviting Network members to participate in our December 2026 Grant Mentoring Workshop, which provides structured feedback on planned ADRD grant submissions.

Deadlines

October 13, 2026: Project title, target submission date, and NIA grant mechanism
November 17, 2026: Specific Aims page and 2-4 sentences describing the significance of the project and its innovation

Assistant Professor job at UC Berkeley Demography

The Department of Demography at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a full-time faculty appointment at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor.

Applications are due Thursday, Oct 15, 2026. Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027.

2026 NIA Mentorship Prize Competition

The competition will award $100,000 each for up to six outstanding faculty mentors — three in the Early Career category and three in the Midcareer/Established category — for a total prize pool of $600,000.

Phase 1 nominations due: October 15, 2026

Completed submissions due: November 23, 2026

Winners announced: Week of April 12,2027

Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Pilot Study Funding

The UM-OAIC is providing funding for two-year pilot projects. This funding is designed to provide start-up support for quality research proposals of high relevance to the Center’s mission which addresses the process by which function is lost, and the multiple factors that affect the onset and progression of disability in older adults.

Letter of intent due by October 30, 2026 Notification of LOI acceptance by November 23, 2026 Pilot project applications due by January 29, 2027 Decision notification by April 30, 2027

Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Research Educations Core Scholar Funding

The UM-OAIC provides an enriched, research training and educational environment to promote the career development of junior faculty toward independence as investigators in aging-related research. The REC Scholar position is funded for a period of up to two years contingent on adequate progress.

Letter of intent due by October 30, 2026 Notification of LOI acceptance by November 23, 2026 Pilot project applications due by January 29, 2027 Decision notification by April 30, 2027

CACHE 2026 Call for Seed Grant Proposals

The Center for Aging, Health, & Environment is pleased to announce seed funding for projects integrating social and environmental data to examine the intersections of aging, health & environment.

Application due October 30, 2026.

Proposal (no more than 3 single‐spaced pages) to include:

Proposal title and investigator names and contact information;
Specific Aims (in NIH format)
Central research questions to be addressed;
Significance and potential impact of the research project including as related to fueling future research by sharing integration code and data;
Description of innovation
Short literature review;
Description of data and methods;
Progress to‐date (if applicable), timeline, and planned submission date and agency for external grant proposal. Submission should be within 16 months of award.
References (separate from 3-page limit)
Budget (separate from 3-page limit, 1‐page), with major budget items, including personnel, and a brief justification
CVs of all investigators and list of other current grant support, if applicable

E‐mail applications to Julia Shipman, Program Manager, Center for Aging, Health & Environemnt: [email protected]

Call for Abstracts or Full Papers for SSM - Population Health

PAA invites abstracts of full papers for a proposed special issue of SSM - Population Health on Social Determinants of Cognitive Inequality Across the Life Course.

Please submit either an extended abstract of 2–5 pages, excluding references, or a full paper for consideration by the guest editors. Full papers are welcome when available to facilitate assessment of the contribution and fit. Extended abstracts should include the information below; full-paper submissions should provide any items not included in the manuscript in a brief cover note:
1. Tentative paper title
2. Author names, affiliations, and contact information
3. Research question and motivation
4. Theoretical contribution, measurement contribution, or methodological innovation
5. Data and methods, if empirical
6. Main findings or expected contribution
7. Fit with the special issue theme
8. Current stage of the paper

Extended abstracts or full papers should be submitted by October 31, 2026.

The guest editors plan to send notifications regarding invitations to submit full manuscripts through the journal’s submission system by November 7, 2026. Invitation to submit a full manuscript does not guarantee acceptance or publication. All submitted manuscripts will undergo the journal’s standard peer review

MiCDA Enclave Stipend Program

The Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA) offers a stipend program for early career researchers working in the MiCDA enclave.

Applications are due November 1 and May 1 of each year. Applications are now being accepted.

RCCN Supplemental Grants to Promote Inter-NIA Center Collaborative Research

The Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN) goal is to catalyze enduring, collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects across NIA center programs. The goal of this announcement is to provide supplemental funding of up to $20,000 to current pilot projects supported by the 7 NIA Center Programs. Up to three awards will be granted.

Application Deadline: November 10, 2026

Award Announcement: January 2027

Award Start Date: March 1, 2027