The Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (INRPHA) Pilot Grant

Carrie Henning-Smith
henn0329@umn.edu

The Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (INRPHA) invites investigators to submit proposals for pilot research that enhances understanding of the multilevel and multidimensional drivers of rural health and aging trends and disparities, with emphasis on within-rural heterogeneity. INRPHA seeks proposals that will advance science in this important area and that will lead to fundable NIH grant proposals.

Funded projects will:

• Have national applicability while also attending to variation in rural regions, economies, population change patterns, and population groups
• Illuminate both rural-urban differences as well as within-rural variability
• Highlight mechanisms across the life course driving rural-urban and within-rural trends and differences
• Leverage any existing National Institute of Health (NIH) funded data resources, but particularly:
  • Great Smoky Mountains Study of Rural Aging (GSMS-RA)
  • Understanding America Study (UAS)
  • National Health and Aging Trends study (NHATS)
  • National Wellbeing Survey (NWS)

Pilot grantees are expected to provide a presentation at the 2027 INRPHA virtual meeting, participate in INRPHA grant proposal mentoring activities, and provide a report upon completion of the project.

Researchers holding a doctoral degree, at any career stage, and from any disciplinary background are eligible to apply. Early career investigators are especially encouraged to apply. Investigators without a history of research funding are encouraged to collaborate with scholars who have funding experience. While not required, interdisciplinary proposals, junior-senior teams, and budgets indicating matching institutional support will be regarded favorably. Note that INRPHA will provide mentorship and/or assistance to grantees for follow-up NIA/NIH proposal development.

Up to $35,000. Between 2 and 3 awards are expected to be funded.

Email the completed application in a single PDF file to inrpha@umn.edu.