Aging Research Collaborative (ARC)

Audience: SHSU faculty
Award Amount: $7,000
Number of Awards (FY 2025–26): 1
Application Deadline: Upcoming
Project Period: Must be completed by December 31 of the following year
Submission Contact: Dr. Khalid Khan, Chair of the Review Committee (ARC Seed Grant) – kxk051@shsu.edu

Objectives

The primary objectives of the ARC Seed Grant are to:

• Promote aging-related research activities across disciplines and SHSU campuses.

• Help faculty generate preliminary data for larger external grant proposals.

• Support peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals focused on aging.

Eligibility

• Full-time SHSU faculty with continuing 9-month or 12-month academic appointments (tenure-track or tenured) on any SHSU campus.

• Each applicant may submit one proposal as Principal Investigator (PI).

• Projects must address aging-related scientific issues in one or more of the following areas:

  • Biomedical and neuroscience

  • Nutrition and public health

  • Environmental and mental health

  • Social and economic challenges related to aging

Allowable Expenses

Funds may be used for:

• Equipment and laboratory supplies

• Software licenses and database access

• Research personnel support

• Participant payments

• Sampling, survey, and/or travel costs directly related to data collection

Not allowed:

• Publication costs

• Travel to present research findings

Proposal Components

All materials must be combined into one PDF and follow the formatting guidelines below.

1. Cover Sheet

   • PI and co-investigator information

   • Project title and basic project details

2. Abstract – 350 words maximum

3. Title, Background, and Aims/Objectives – 1 page

   • Clearly state the research problem, context, and specific aims.

4. Significance and Innovation – 1 page

   • Describe why the work matters to aging research and what is novel.

5. Methodology – up to 2 pages

   • Methods and processes aligned to each aim/objective

   • Feasible 12-month timeline with milestones

6. Research Personnel – NIH-style biosketches (<5 pages each)

   • PI and Co-Investigators

   • Use NIH biosketch template; each biosketch ≤ 5 pages

7. Deliverables – 1 page

   • Plan for external grant proposal(s), publications, and/or presentations

   • Identify one or more specific external grant mechanisms (anticipated budget ≥ $200,000)

   • Provide a timeline for external submission and other dissemination activities

8. Budget & Justification – 1 page

   • Use the ARC budget template (Excel) and upload with proposal

   • Provide a narrative justification for each line item

9. References

   • AMA or APA (7th edition) format

10. Supporting Documents (if applicable)

    • IRB/IACUC approvals

    • Letters of support

Formatting Guidelines

• Font: Arial, 11 pt

• Spacing: Single-spaced

• Margins: 1-inch

• Page numbers at bottom of each page

• Adhere strictly to page and word limits

• Submit as one PDF to kxk051@shsu.edu by the deadline

Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider:

• Alignment with aging-related scientific topics

• Clarity of objectives, significance, and innovation

• Methodological soundness and feasibility of timeline

• Likelihood of achieving:

  • 12-month project milestones

  • Submission of an external grant proposal

  • A peer-reviewed manuscript and/or national conference presentation

Disbursement of Funds & IDC

• Awardees will work with the ARC Grants Coordinator to manage funds.

• Original bills and paid receipts are required.

• Indirect costs (IDC) are not allowed.

• Faculty salary/incentive is capped at $1,000.

Post-Award Obligations

• Six-month progress report (max 1 single-spaced page) plus financial update.

• Annual progress report due December 31, 2026.

Audience: SHSU undergraduate & graduate students
Award Amount: $2,000 per award
Number of Awards: 1 undergraduate + 1 graduate
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. (CST)
Award Notification: December 31, 2025
Funding Period: Funds must be spent by May 31, 2026
Submission Contact: Dr. Berna Rahi, Chair of Review Committee – bxa051@shsu.edu

Objective

The ARC Scholar Award supports undergraduate and graduate students conducting innovative research on aging and age-related topics. The program encourages projects that explore biological, biomedical, psychological, social, environmental, and economic factors that influence healthy aging and the well-being of older adults.

Applications are welcome from all disciplines.

Eligibility

• Full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at SHSU in Spring 2026.

• Must be engaged in aging or aging-related research in any discipline.

• Students receiving other SHSU undergraduate research funding for Spring 2026 (excluding travel grants) are not eligible.

• Awardees must participate in ARC activities and seminar series during Spring 2026.

Selection Criteria

An interdisciplinary review committee will evaluate:

• Alignment with ARC’s mission and applicant’s interest in aging research

• Design, feasibility, and budgetary plan of the proposed project

• Significance of expected results or outcomes to aging research

• Applicant’s academic standing at the time of the award

Application Requirements

All materials must be combined into one PDF and emailed to bxa051@shsu.edu with the subject line:
“ARC Scholar Award Spring 2026 – [Applicant Name]”

Application packet includes:

1. Statement of Interest in Aging Research – 1 page

2. Resume or CV – max 2 pages

3. Research Proposal

   • Abstract: up to 350 words

   • Background and Objectives: 1 page

   • Significance to Aging Research: ½ page

   • Methodology and Expected Outcomes: 1 page

   • Timeline: ½ page

   • References: AMA or APA (7th ed.) format

4. Faculty Letter of Recommendation

   • Sent directly by the mentor to bxa051@shsu.edu

   • Subject line: “Applicant Name – ARC Scholar Award Spring 2026”

   • Should describe applicant qualifications and mentoring plan

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with their faculty mentor before submission.

 

Formatting Guidelines

• Font: Arial, 11 pt

• Margins: 1 inch

• Adhere strictly to page limits

• Figures and legends (if used) must be clear and legible

Awardee Expectations & Reporting

By May 31, 2027, each awardee must submit:

• A 1-page report from the faculty mentor summarizing the student’s progress and findings

• A 1-page reflection report and exit survey from the student describing project outcomes and impact on professional development

Awardees are expected to:

• Present their research at the SHSU Undergraduate Research Symposium

• Disseminate results at state, national, or international conferences

Failure to submit required reports may affect eligibility for future ARC funding.

Compliance Requirements

• IRB, IBC, or IACUC approvals must be in place before funds are released, when applicable.

• Applicants must complete required CITI training and certifications before beginning their projects.

• Guidance on protocol applications is available through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs website.

Program Support

This program is supported by the SHSU BRIDGE 2.0 grant, funded through the SHSU Provost Innovation Fund.