Program Development (Pilot) Core (Core B)

Univ Of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD

Investigators

Abstract

The overarching mission of the Center for SUNSHINE (Seniors Uniting Nationwide to Support Health, INtegrated Care, and Economics) is to advance aging resilience by integrating healthcare systems, public health organizations, social service agencies, and community-based resources to enhance the well-being of older adults and their care partners, and maximize societal value. The Program Development (Pilot) Core leads efforts to train the next generation of investigators to advance aging resilience and conduct impactful research in the economics and demography of aging. The Core administers a pilot grant program that supports scholars in conducting high-impact resilience-focused aging research, focusing on key research areas: the role of healthcare systems in supporting older adults and their care partners, how social, economic and behavioral factors throughout the life influence health outcomes in aging, the influence of public health on cognitive and behavioral health, and the impact of population-level interventions on aging resilience. SUNSHINE’s pilot projects emphasize multi-level resilience and modifiable factors, promoting vertical integration and partnerships, connecting individuals, families, healthcare systems, and communities. The Pilot Core supports scholars through tailored mentoring, multidisciplinary networking, and robust training programs. Scholars are equipped with advanced methodologies, such as economic modeling and AI/ML, and gain access to multiple data resources, including claims data, electronic health records, and longitudinal cohort datasets. Mentoring relationships with SUNSHINE faculty mentors provide project-specific guidance and career development, enhancing scholars’ ability to design and implement high-impact research projects. Strategic partnerships with HBCUs (Howard University, Bowie State University), the Universities at Shady Grove, and UMBC strengthen SUNSHINE’s ability to empower emerging scholars. The Pilot Core operates through three aims. Aim 1: administer emerging scholars and innovation pilot projects, supporting 6–10 projects over 6 years, with mentoring and guidelines to develop subsequent NIA grant applications. Aim 2: launch seminars, networking opportunities, and project development services, and monitor scholars’ progress to ensure career advancement. Aim 3: document productivity, including publications, presentations, and NIA grant submissions resulting from pilot projects. Working closely with Cores A and C, the Pilot Core cultivates a cohort of highly skilled investigators equipped to advance resilience-focused aging research. Results from pilot projects and subsequent external grants will drive scalable solutions, transforming resilience and the quality of aging care nationwide.