Hartford/Jahnigen Center of Excellence in Geriatrics Awards
Application and Guidelines
The Medical School at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center was named
as a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Geriatrics by the John A. Hartford Foundation
beginning January 1, 1998. The goal of the CoE is to train outstanding physicians for
academic careers in geriatric medicine and to expand geriatrics training opportunities
throughout the medical school. For most geriatrics faculty, the greatest shortcoming
has been opportunities to develop the necessary research skills for a successful
academic career. Thus, a major focus of the CoE is to provide funding and mentorship
to enable clinically oriented physician faculty to concentrate on aging research, or
physician faculty from outside the Division of Geriatric Medicine to reorient both clinical
and research activities to the field of aging. To this end, the following types of awards
will be granted to physicians:
Assistant Professor Faculty Development Awards: These awards will provide
stipends (no greater than 50% effort) for faculty who have completed fellowships and
are committed to academic careers in geriatric medicine.
Advanced Fellowship Awards: These awards will provide partial stipends (50-75%
effort) for outstanding advanced fellows (after their clinical year), who are interested in
continuing their research, clinical, and educational activities in aging, but are not fully
funded through other venues (e.g., T32, individual NRSA awards, Hartford/AFAR
fellowships).
Small Grants Program: Grants of up to $30,000 per year will be provided to fund new
investigators or to encourage established investigators to extend their work into the field
of aging.
Aging Leadership Awards: Awards are given to support attendance at the AAIM (or
similar) Executive Leadership Program. This 6-day intensive leadership program is
focused on issues specific to the academic medical leader. The award includes the
course, lodging, meals and airfare to Boston, MA.
Support for these awards is provided in part by the Chancellor, School of Medicine,
Department of Medicine, and Center on Aging. An Advisory Board consisting of faculty
working in aging and university leaders participates in guiding the CoE and selecting
award recipients. Names of Advisory Committee members are attached. Particular
emphasis will be placed on commitment to an academic career in geriatric
medicine and support from the division head and a chosen mentor.
This application packet should be used for all of the award types. You may apply for
more than one type of award with the same application (e.g., stipend and grant). All
applications (except for the leadership award) must be accompanied by letters from the
chosen mentor(s) and the appropriate division head/supervisor demonstrating their
support for this activity and commitment to the time it will require. These letters are
essential in judging all proposals. Specific instructions pertaining to proposals for both
awards are provided below. If you have questions or would like to discuss the program,
please contact Dr. Robert Schwartz at 303-315-8668 or [email protected].
Specific Instructions for Assistant Professor and Fellowship Stipends: These stipends
will be awarded to fellowship-trained physicians in the early stages of their academic
careers (Assistant Professor Stipends) or fellows (Fellowship Stipends) for research
activities in geriatrics. The awards will provide a stipend to cover up to 75% time to
work with a faculty mentor on research projects in aging, take courses, and apply for
funding to continue with research interests. For the Assistant Professor Award,
eligibility criteria include completion of boards and fellowship. Criteria for selection
include evidence of commitment to an academic career with a focus in geriatrics, an
application indicating how the 75% time would be used, a research project or projects in
the field of aging, an identified mentor, and a commitment from a medical school
division for the remaining 25% of salaried time. Research projects can be on any agingrelated topic from basic science to health services research. Opportunities available at
the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center include (but are not limited to):

Health services research relating to post-acute care, rehabilitation, nursing home
care, outcomes, and quality of care with the Division of Health Care Policy and
Research (contact Andrew Kramer, 303-724-2500).

Health services research relating to transitions and quality of care with the Division
of Health Care Policy and Research (contact Eric Coleman, 303-724-2456).

Health services and clinical research issues related to managed care delivery, health
care maintenance, and treatment decision-making, or palliative care with the
Division of General Internal Medicine (contact Jean Kutner, 303-372-9092).

Vascular research on exercise training, functional assessment, claudication drug
therapy, and mitochondrial myopathy in aging with the Vascular Research Program
in the Division of Geriatric Medicine (contact Bill Hiatt, 303-860-1288).

Research on hormone supplementation and exercise effects on functional
independence in older subjects with the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s IMAGE
(Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise) Research Group
(contact Wendy Kohrt, 303-315-6700).

Research on the effects of hormone supplementation and lifestyle change on
cognitive function in older subject with the Division of Geriatric Medicines’ IMAGE
Research Group (contact Robert Schwartz, 303-315-8668)

Research on vascular function in older subjects with the Division of Geriatric
Medicine’s IMAGE (Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise)
Research Group (contact Kerrie Moreau, 303-315-0541).

Research on hormone effects on central obesity and insulin resistance in the
Division of Geriatric Medicine’s IMAGE Research Group (contact Wendee Gozansky
303-372-2918 or Rachael VanPelt 303-3372-2912).

Research on muscle function with aging in the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s
IMAGE (Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise) Research
Group (contact Cathy Jankowski, 303-372-2919).
The application consists of responses to three questions. The first question requires a
brief description of fellowship activities and/or related experiences that stimulated your
interest in an academic career in geriatrics. The second question requires a detailed
response to how you will spend the time funded by the stipend. This should include
specifics relating to project(s) that you propose to conduct and courses in which you
propose to enroll. The third question relates to how you plan to use the experience
funded by this stipend in your future activities that will further the mission of the Center
of Excellence.
Specific Instructions for Aging Research Grants: These grants for up to $25,000 per
year are designed to fund new investigators or to encourage established investigators to
extend their work into the field of aging. While these grants cannot provide faculty
salary support, they enable investigators to hire research assistants, obtain equipment,
or fund costs of research on a pilot basis in the field of aging. The goal of this pilot work
should be to provide enough momentum to initiate further work in the field of aging.
Research projects can be in any appropriate area from basic science to health services
research as long as they relate to aging. Opportunities available at the University of
Colorado Health Sciences Center include (but are not limited to):

Health services research and epidemiology in the San Luis Valley Health Studies
through the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics (contact Judith
Baxter, 303-315-6857).

Health services research relating to post-acute care, rehabilitation, nursing home
care, outcomes, and quality of care with the Division of Health Care Policy and
Research (contact Andrew Kramer, 303-724-2500).

Health services research relating to transitions and quality of care with the Division
of Health Care Policy and Research (contact Eric Coleman, 303-724-2456).

Health services and clinical research issues related to managed care delivery, health
care maintenance, and treatment decision-making, or palliative care with the
Division of General Internal Medicine (contact Jean Kutner, 303-372-9092).

Vascular research on exercise training, functional assessment, claudication drug
therapy, and mitochondrial myopathy in aging with the Vascular Research Program
in the Division of Geriatric Medicine (contact Bill Hiatt, 303-860-1288).

Research on hormone supplementation and exercise effects on functional
independence in older subjects with the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s IMAGE
(Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise) Research Group
(contact Wendy Kohrt, 303-315-6700).

Research on the effects of hormone supplementation and lifestyle change on
cognitive function in older subject with the Division of Geriatric Medicines’ IMAGE
Research Group (contact Robert Schwartz, 303-315-8668)

Research on vascular function in older subjects with the Division of Geriatric
Medicine’s IMAGE (Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise)
Research Group (contact Kerrie Moreau, 303-315-0541).

Research on hormone effects on central obesity and insulin resistance in the
Division of Geriatric Medicine’s IMAGE Research Group (contact Wendee Gozansky
303-372-2918 or Rachael VanPelt 303-3372-2912).

Research on muscle function with aging in the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s
IMAGE (Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise) Research
Group (contact Cathy Jankowski, 303-372-2919).
The grants program is also available to provide educators an opportunity to develop
innovative training programs in geriatric medicine. Such models might involve using
technology to enhance training methods, expanding upon the curriculum in specialty
training programs so that geriatrics issues become more central, or testing clinical
training approaches. Grant funds can be used to develop and implement new
approaches on at least a pilot basis.
The application consists of responses to three questions identical to the application
package for the faculty stipends. However, less depth is required in applications
submitted exclusively for a grant. Individuals applying for a stipend can apply for the
grants program concurrently in order to fund costs associated with their research
projects.
Specific Instructions for Aging Research Leadership Awards: These grants are intended
for more senior aging investigators, wishing to participate in an intensive 6-day
executive leadership program that specifically focuses on medically important
leadership issues. The course is given once a year in the summer in Boston, MA (at
MIT) by The Crimson Group. The program entitled “the Business Side of Medicine” is
sponsored by the Alliance for Academic Medicine (AAIM) and covers knowledge, skills
and attitudes about finance, strategic planning, management, negotiation, change and
leadership. More specific information about the program is available at:
www.im.org/aaim/development/executiveleadershipprogram.htm.
The application consists of responses to three questions and is limited to 5 pages. The
first question requires a brief description of your past and present aging-related
research experience. The second question requires a brief description of your present
administrative position within the institution, and your previous administrative/leadership
experience and training. The third question requires a detailed response how this
experience will further your leadership role in areas relevant to aging and your role in
the institution.
Before applying for this award program, please contact Dr Robert Schwartz for
additional details.
Advisory Board Members
Robert S. Schwartz, M.D.
Head, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Principal Investigator, Hartford/Jahnigen Center of Excellence
Andrew Kramer, M.D.
Head, Division of Health Care Policy and Research
Co-Principal Investigator, Hartford/Jahnigen Center of Excellence
Advisory Committee Faculty:
Eric Coleman, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor, Divisions of Health Care Policy and Research and Geriatric Medicine
Wendee Gozansky, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine
William Hiatt, M.D
Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Director, Vascular Medicine Section
Jean Kutner, MD
Associate Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine
Head, Division of General Internal Medicine
Wendy Kohrt, PhD
Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Laurence Robbins, M.D.
Assoc Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine
ACOS, Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center
Angela Sauaia, M.D., PhD
Assoc Professor, Division of Healthcare Policy
Name:
_______________________________
Date:
___________
Address: _______________________________
_______________________________
Daytime Phone Number(s):
Department/Division:
Institution:
___________________
_________________________
_______________________________
Faculty Rank: Instructor/Fellow
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
Type of program for which you wish to be considered (check all that apply):
Project Grant
Junior Faculty Stipend
Advanced Fellowship Stipend
Geriatric Leadership Award
Proposed start date:
Title of proposed project:
___/___/___
________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Division Head/Supervisor
Name:
__________________________
Address:
__________________________
__________________________
Phone #:
______________ email address __________________________
Proposed mentors/collaborators in aging
1)
Name:
__________________________
Address:
__________________________
__________________________
2)
Phone #:
______________ email address __________________________
Name:
__________________________
Address:
__________________________
__________________________
Phone #:
________________ email address _________________________
APPLICATION NARRATIVE
I.
Describe your past experiences and training in geriatrics/aging. Provide specific
examples demonstrating your commitment to geriatrics.
II.a. Provide a brief proposal for the research project(s) that you would conduct under
the Center of Excellence. This proposal should be typed on separate pages and
be no more than 10 pages double-spaced in length. The proposal should include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
an abstract
specific objectives/hypotheses
methods including samples, data, and analyses
work plan
curriculum vitae for applicant and mentor(s)
II.b. Describe coursework, clinical geriatrics training, and/or other activities that you
would conduct with CoE funding.
III.
Indicate how you propose to use your Center of Excellence experience to continue
your academic career in geriatrics and enhance geriatrics training and knowledge
in the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and/or other institutions.
Budget
Following the sample formats below, please provide a budget for the proposed stipend
and/or grant award(s). The budgets should include all line items and a brief justification
for all costs.
Note: Grant awards are limited to $30,000 per year. Grant funds cannot be used for
faculty salary support. Travel will be covered by the CoE and should not be included in
the budgets.
Small Grant Budget – sample format
2006-2007 Academic Year
% Time
Cost
Salaries
(staff only)
Fringe
benefits
Telephone
--
Postage
--
Supplies
--
Equipment
--
Other
--
Total
Stipend Budget – sample format
2006-2007 Academic Year
% Time (≤ 50)
Cost
Salary
Fringe
benefits
Total
Name of Applicant: _____________________________________
Date: _________
Title of Proposed Project: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Division Head/Supervisor: Please provide a statement agreeing to release the above
applicant from other responsibilities so that he or she may carry out the proposed
research project under the Center of Excellence. Please also describe how the
applicant’s proposed project would be integrated with his or her existing and future
activities. Also describe specific resources that will be committed to the trainee (e.g.
space, equipment, coverage during research time).
Name of Applicant: _____________________________________
Date: _________
Title of Proposed Project: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Mentor: Please provide a statement describing your plans to work with the above
applicant on the proposed research project under the Center of Excellence. Describe
how this trainee would be integrated into your present research activities and projects.
Please also describe your availability to assist the applicant and other resources that
will be made available to the trainee in carrying out his or her research project.