American Federation for Aging Research
Encyclopedia
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a private, charitable
, 501(c)(3), organization whose mission is to provide funding for biomedical research
on aging
.
AFAR's support is critical because cuts in federal funding for medical research are causing undue hardship on the next generation of researchers who must compete for ever-dwindling research dollars. America's health and economic well-being require a growing number of scientists and physicians who understand the processes of aging
and age-related diseases
and stay committed to finding ways to help Americans live longer and healthier lives.
The AFAR Research Grant provides awards to junior faculty- PhDs and MDs- who are often still considering their field of inquiry. The reasoning behind AFAR's approach is straightforward: a relatively modest grant often makes it possible for a new investigator to make a commitment to aging research that lasts a lifetime.
The AFAR approach has been successful. A recent survey of the AFAR Research Grant recipients revealed that 98% of respondents reported that they have continued work in research, including 92% who said that they are still involved in aging research. Eighty-five percent of these researchers say that they have continued the work that they started under their AFAR-sponsored grant.
, osteoporosis
, macular degeneration
and heart disease
.
AFAR further influences the aging research agenda by sponsoring annual conferences and symposia with the Gerontological Society of America
(GSA) and the American Geriatrics Society
(AGS). AFAR also hosts workshops and other scientific sessions at medical conferences around the country.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
, 501(c)(3), organization whose mission is to provide funding for biomedical research
Research funding
Research funding is a term generally covering any funding for scientific research, in the areas of both "hard" science and technology and social science. The term often connotes funding obtained through a competitive process, in which potential research projects are evaluated and only the most...
on aging
Ageing
Ageing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
.
Grant programs
AFAR supports its own privately-funded AFAR Research Grant program and administers seven foundation and corporate-sponsored scholarship and fellowship programs. Together, these programs serve as a springboard for promising medical students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty to begin their careers in aging research. AFAR also supports mid-career scientists new to the field.AFAR's support is critical because cuts in federal funding for medical research are causing undue hardship on the next generation of researchers who must compete for ever-dwindling research dollars. America's health and economic well-being require a growing number of scientists and physicians who understand the processes of aging
Senescence
Senescence or biological aging is the change in the biology of an organism as it ages after its maturity. Such changes range from those affecting its cells and their function to those affecting the whole organism...
and age-related diseases
Aging-associated diseases
An aging-associated disease is a disease that is seen with increasing frequency with increasing senescence. Age-associated diseases are to be distinguished from the aging process itself because all adult animals age, but not all adult animals experience all age-associated diseases...
and stay committed to finding ways to help Americans live longer and healthier lives.
The AFAR Research Grant provides awards to junior faculty- PhDs and MDs- who are often still considering their field of inquiry. The reasoning behind AFAR's approach is straightforward: a relatively modest grant often makes it possible for a new investigator to make a commitment to aging research that lasts a lifetime.
The AFAR approach has been successful. A recent survey of the AFAR Research Grant recipients revealed that 98% of respondents reported that they have continued work in research, including 92% who said that they are still involved in aging research. Eighty-five percent of these researchers say that they have continued the work that they started under their AFAR-sponsored grant.
Scientific review and support
In administering all of AFAR's award programs, AFAR gathers the nation's leading scientists and physicians to rigorously review the hundreds of grant applications received each year. The scientific review and selection process not only uncovers promising new topics in the field, but also provides support for new approaches to understanding the basic mechanisms of aging and the care and treatment of diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
, macular degeneration
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults...
and heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
.
AFAR further influences the aging research agenda by sponsoring annual conferences and symposia with the Gerontological Society of America
The Gerontological Society of America
The Gerontological Society of America is a multidisciplinary organization devoted to research and education in all aspects of gerontology: medical, biological, psychological and social...
(GSA) and the American Geriatrics Society
American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society : a professional society founded on June 11, 1942 for doctors practicing geriatric medicine. Among the founding physicians were Dr. Ignatz Leo Nascher, who coined the term "geriatrics," Dr. Malford W. Thewlis, who was named the first executive secretary of the...
(AGS). AFAR also hosts workshops and other scientific sessions at medical conferences around the country.
Public education
AFAR seeks to educate the public on topics related to aging by sponsoring media briefings, community health lectures, Web-based public education materials, and a consumer newsletter Lifelong. In addition, AFAR has established two Web sites for the general public:- Infoaging.org, which provides consumers with health information and the latest news about aging research and diseases associated with aging research; and
- Healthcompass.org, designed to help seniors navigate the Internet to find the best sources of health information.
Award programs
- AFAR Research Grants
- The Fannie E. Rippel/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Cardiovascular Disease
- The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease
- Julie Martin Mid-Career Awards in Aging Research
- Glenn/AFAR Breakthroughs in Gerontology Awards
- Paul Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research
- Ellison Medical Foundation/AFAR Senior Postdoctoral Research Program
- AFAR Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program
Affiliates
AFAR has established affiliate offices throughout the United States- the Southeast affiliate, the Upstate New York affiliate and the Ohio affiliate. These regional associations help us expand the organization, form partnerships with local philanthropic and community-based organizations and develop the resources to fund more local scientists.See also
- AgingAgeingAgeing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
- GeriatricsGeriatricsGeriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or...
- GerontologyGerontologyGerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
- Life extensionLife extensionLife extension science, also known as anti-aging medicine, experimental gerontology, and biomedical gerontology, is the study of slowing down or reversing the processes of aging to extend both the maximum and average lifespan...
- SenescenceSenescenceSenescence or biological aging is the change in the biology of an organism as it ages after its maturity. Such changes range from those affecting its cells and their function to those affecting the whole organism...
- American Academy of Anti-Aging MedicineAmerican Academy of Anti-Aging MedicineThe American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine is a United States registered 501 nonprofit organization that promotes the field of anti-aging medicine and trains and certifies physicians in this specialty. As of 2011, approximately 26,000 practitioners had been given certificates...