Geriatric Faculty Scholars

In this program, Scholars will work closely with URAI and Division of Geriatrics & Aging Faculty Mentors to: 

• Identify knowledge and skills gaps in older adult care and geriatric principles within URMC, UR Medicine, Eastman Institute of Oral Health, and the broader Rochester community. 
• Promote the development of URMC as an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) by incorporating the “4Ms” framework into their projects. 
• Lead program development to improve quality of care for older adults through the development, implementation and evaluation of competency-based education projects. 
• Provide mentorship and guidance to health professional trainees (students, residents, chief residents, fellows, junior faculty) as they develop their own education projects. 
• Participate in URAI and UR Division of Geriatrics related educational activities and workshops. 
• Disseminate scholarly products in local and national forums. 

The UR Geriatric Faculty Scholars Program is open to UR School of Nursing and UR School of Medicine & Dentistry faculty at the Instructor through Associate Professor level who are committed to academic careers and have an interest in geriatric/gerontology program development.

• The applicant’s commitment to program development and education at the undergraduate, graduate, and/or continuing professional education level as part of his/her anticipated academic career trajectory 
• The applicant’s willingness to serve as a mentor and educator of trainees and faculty 
• Identification of a suitable faculty mentor from their School, Program, Division and/or Department for the project and documentation of mentor’s support. A second faculty mentor from the URAI or Division of Geriatrics will be identified for successful applicants. 
• Sufficient protected time from the applicant’s School, Program, Division and/or Department Chair, given that the project will enhance the care of older adults and/or the education of providers 

A stipend of $5,000 will be provided to the recipient’s Department/Division/School to provide project funds, and/or travel funds for the Scholar as defined in a proposed budget from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Up to two applicants will be accepted for this funding cycle, contingent on available funds.

1. A one-page personal statement explaining career path and goals for participation in the Geriatric Faculty Scholars Program including increasing personal knowledge/skills and short-term and long-term plans for academic/professional development in geriatrics education
2. A two-page project proposal including defined objectives, description of the anticipated educational program and proposed scholarly outcomes or evaluation measures, project timeline and a brief line-item budget defining how the $5,000 stipend will be allocated to cover associated costs. Acceptable cost allocation in the budget include such line items as: salary support (for faculty scholar, project coordinator or data assistant), travel for professional conference(s) such as the American Geriatrics Society Conference or a professional conference related to aging in the scholar’s discipline (including registration fees, airfare or mileage, and hotel), professional organization membership fees, costs for survey distribution or data collection, direct costs for program implementation, office supplies, or educational materials (purchased workbooks, textbooks, curricula, slides, or brochures). Capital equipment costs such as computers, tablets, or other hardware and food/refreshments for trainings are not allowable budget cost items supported under this funding.
3. Curriculum vitae of the faculty scholar highlighting educational contributions, scholarship, and leadership
4. Two letters of support
   • School (Dean) / Program / Department (Chair or Division Chief)
   • Proposed Departmental mentor (If the Department Chair, then a letter of recommendation from a senior faculty member within own program, School, or a Division of Geriatrics mentor)
   
   The letters should describe the mentor’s role in the proposed project and in the applicant’s career development. This may include the frequency of planned mentoring meetings, commitment to protected time, how the mentor and Department/Division/School will to support the applicant in accomplishing goals within the proposed timeline. The mentor and Chief/Chair/Dean letter should comment on how participation as a Geriatric Faculty Scholar will help advance the applicant’s career and expand the impact of the project in the applicant’s own department / school and for our institution.

• Application materials are to be submitted as a single combined pdf file 
• Applications should be single spaced and utilize 1-inch margins and size 12 font 
• Submit applications electronically via email by 5:00pm ET on Monday March 30, 2026, to: 

• Laura M. Robinson, MPH 

  University of Rochester Aging Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center 

  LauraM_Robinson@urmc.rochester.edu

Need (Maximum Points 30)

The extent to which the application describes:

• The need for the proposed Geriatric Scholars Award
• The applicant’s commitment to program development and medical education at the undergraduate, graduate and/or continuing medical education level as part of his/her anticipated career trajectory
• The applicant’s professional responsibilities in the grantee institution and elsewhere
• The applicant’s teaching efforts to this point in his/her academic career (especially those in geriatrics), including any publications; and
• Evidence of the applicant’s potential to develop a career in academia

Response (Maximum Points 20)

The extent to which the work proposed in the application will:

• Increase the geriatric knowledge and skill of physicians and nurses at various levels of training and professional development, from students to senior faculty.
• Promote inter-specialty and inter-professional training and collaboration;
• Improve the quality and safety of older adult care in the UR Health System; and
• Promote the development of URMC as an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) by incorporating the “4 M” principles into their projects
• Have the potential for both local and national dissemination and/or the degree to which the project activities are replicable and sustainable

Willingness (Maximum Points 15)

The extent to which the application describes a willingness to:

• Serve as a mentor and educator of trainees and faculy
• Interact with and learn from other Geriatrics Scholars and experts locally and nationally
• Promote the AFHS paradigm locally, regionally & nationally

Potential Impact (Maximum Points 20)

The extent to which the application describes a scholar who:

• Is a junior–early midcareer faculty member (the longer the time in faculty position, the smaller number of points should be awarded)
• Is an applicant who has never received funding as a recipient of a past Reynold’s Grant Challenge grant or Geriatric Scholars Award and
• Is likely, after completion of the Geriatric Scholars program, to continue as a full-time academic teaching faculty member teaching interdisciplinary geriatrics education
• Addresses both short and long-term goals (i.e., publication, dissemination, sustainability, systems change, application to other populations) related to this project

Resources and Supports (Maximum Points 15)

The extent to which the application describes:

• Strong support from a suitable mentor from their Program, Division and/or Department
• Strong support from the applicant’s Program, Division and/or Department Chair and
• A supportive environment for the achievement of the applicant’s goals including adequate time provided to achieve the project goals.