Scripps Gerontology Center of Excellence Fellows Program
Scripps Gerontology Center of Excellence Fellows Program
In recognition of significant, ongoing contributions to gerontology at Miami University, the Scripps Gerontology Center, with approval from the Vice President of Research & Innovation, designates the formal affiliation of Scripps Fellow for faculty with continuing appointments and emeritus faculty. Scripps Fellows are actively involved in research on aging and their projects support the research mission of the Scripps Gerontology Center. Scripps Fellows also typically support gerontology education and training at Miami through their ongoing involvement in serving on graduate committees, teaching gerontology courses, integrating aging into their existing courses, and/or developing curriculum in gerontology, as deemed appropriate by their department. No reallocation of responsibilities is expected.
Appointment as a Scripps Fellow acknowledges significant contributions to research and scholarship in the field of aging. Scripps Fellows are expected to have a track record of aging‐related research, an ongoing research program in aging, and a research agenda seeking external funding. Occasionally, a faculty member may be appointed as a Fellow on the basis of a substantial record of scholarship in gerontology prior to coming to Miami.
The Scripps Fellows program seeks to:
1) build conversations and collaborations among researchers with interests in aging and, 2) actively support Scripps Fellows through activities that enhance the likelihood of success in obtaining external funding.
A hallmark of the Scripps collaborative and research‐active culture is a robust internal review service provided by Scripps Fellows and Scripps Researchers. The goals of these sessions are to: 1. improve the quality of the deliverable (e.g., grant proposal, manuscript, abstract), and 2. provide learning opportunities on grant conceptualization, team formation, writing, and budgeting.
We also host several Researchers with Interest in Aging (RWIA) events annually, such as funding brainstorming sessions, education sessions, and a Leaders in Aging Research lecture. These events are designed to support conversation, collaboration, and a deepened connection to our scholarly community.
Because the review process and participation in RWIA events are so important to our culture of collaboration and research productivity, we request that Scripps Fellows engage in the following activities annually:
- Participate in at least one (1) internal review of a grant proposal, as a colleague seeking feedback or by providing constructive feedback as a reviewer. In‐person/virtual participation is preferred, however if you have a conflict, written feedback received by the in‐person meeting is an acceptable substitute. Participation as a reviewer entails reading the document prior to the meeting, providing constructive feedback, and engaging in collegial problem‐solving.
- Participate in at least two (2) Researchers with Interest in Aging (RWIA) events annually.
In exchange for the investment of your time and expertise in review sessions and RWIA events, you are eligible for the following benefits:
- Assistance with budget preparation
- Support from Scripps researchers and faculty scholars in seeking grant opportunities and conceptualizing projects
- Assistance with fiscal management of projects (e.g., setting up professional services agreements, hiring undergraduate students, reconciliation of PCards, process travel expense reports, setting up vendors)
- Assistance from support staff on: printing of materials, business cards, mailings/shipping, editing and proofing of print or website materials, hosting, support for meetings, ordering supplies, purchase of software and updates, room scheduling, visitor packets, conference registration, travel arrangements, scanning, and digitizing documents/files.
- You can request to have your work reviewed (e.g., specific aims page, draft proposal, manuscript).
- Up to $600 in travel to present research in aging at a conference annually
- Up to $3,000 in dissemination funds. Funds can be used to cover the costs of disseminating your research through efforts such as article processing charges for an open access article, work with a graphic designer on the creation of an infographic or other data visualization to further disseminate your work to a specific audience. This is a one‐time award offered through 12/31/2025. We will evaluate this pilot program for possible renewal in 2026.
Appointment as a Scripps Fellow is made by the Provost for a period of three years upon recommendation of the Vice President for Research & Innovation; appointments are renewable. The Chair and Dean of the applicant’s department will be asked to approve the recommendation for appointment as a Scripps Fellow. Miami faculty can apply by writing an application letter to Katy Abbott, the Executive Director of Scripps; and include a current vita. The letter should explicitly discuss the applicant’s ongoing agenda in aging related research and education. For reappointment requests, the applicant should summarize their involvement in Scripps activities such as research meetings and attendance at events.
Please forward all application materials to Cheryl Johnson, the Director of Finance and Operations at Scripps (johnsocb@MiamiOH.edu). 2/22/24
Application for Scripps Funds
Scripps Gerontology Center Residency Program
The Scripps Gerontology Center Residency Program is a new two-year initiative funded by Boldly Creative funds with the goal of increasing external funding. This program will provide funds for a one course reduction at 10% of the faculty member’s salary during one semester (e.g., 16 weeks). Individuals will be expected to work intensively on a grant submission to a Federal agency (e.g., NIH, NSF, PCORI) in collaboration with a Scripps Mentor who will provide iterative peer review. We are targeting Federal agencies due to the higher indirect costs that are typically received by the University through those submissions.
To be eligible for the Scripps Residency Program, individuals must:
- have a current appointment as a Scripps Research Fellow,
- have written approval from their Department Chair (email is fine),
- identify a specific Program Announcement (e.g., PAR) their grant will be responsive to,
- submit a detailed 16-week work plan and timeline for iterative internal review of the grant components (e.g., specific aims, background, innovation, approach, etc.), and;
- submit their final product for internal review by the Researchers with Interest in Aging group at least 1 month prior to submission deadline.
This program may be repeated by an individual one time (twice in total) to support a revision if the proposal was scored and received positive feedback from scientific reviewers and the Program Officer.
We anticipate awarding up to two awards per semester for 2 years (24-25 and 25-26 Academic Years).
To apply please submit application materials to Dr. Katy Abbott via email. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.
Katherine Abbott, Ph.D.
Upham Hall, 367CScripps Gerontology Center abbottkm@MiamiOH.edu Profile Directory
