Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (2023-2028)
The Purpose of the RCMAR VI Program
The goal of the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) program is two-fold: (1) to diversify the research workforce in priority areas of social, behavioral, psychological, and economic research on aging by mentoring promising scientists from diverse backgrounds; and (2) to develop a research and mentoring infrastructure to foster rigorous behavioral and social science research on aging in a high priority research area that can advance aging-relevant scientific discoveries, lead to the elimination of health disparities and health inequities, and improve the health and well-being of older adults who are members of the National Institute on Aging's (NIA) Priority Populations, as specified in the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.
Objective
The primary objective of the RCMAR VI program (2023-2028) is twofold:
- Career Development Support: The program aims to support the career development of early-career scientists conducting social, behavioral, psychological, and economic research related to aging, health disparities in older adults, and/or Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD).
- Advancement of Scientific Discoveries: The second objective is to advance scientific discoveries related to aging. This includes efforts to eliminate health disparities and inequities and to improve the health and well-being of older adults, particularly, members of NIA’s Priority Populations, as outlined in the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.
RCMAR VI Program Structure
The RCMAR VI program is comprised of three types of Centers:
- RCMARs: Centers supported by P30 Center Core Grants that are focused on behavioral and social science research in a priority research area related to aging and/or to health disparities in older adults;
- AD/ADRD RCMARs: Centers supported by P30 Center Core Grants that are focused on behavioral and social science research in a priority research area related to AD/ADRD; and
- National Coordinating Center: A Center supported by a U24 Resource-Related Research Project Cooperative Agreement with NIA that provides leadership for the RCMAR program.
Centers consist of the following components:
- a Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC), which provides scientific and intellectual leadership, strategic direction, and oversight, and serves as a resource for ongoing activities for the Center;
- a Research Education Component (REC), which supports a research education program and mentored research experiences, and it provides pilot study awards; and
- an Analysis Core (AnC), which provides data resources and consultations and disseminates scientific information on new methodologies and data resources to RCMAR Scientists.
Additionally, some Centers support a Community Liaison and Recruitment Core (CLRP), which serves as a mechanism for co-learning and reciprocal transfer of expertise and enhancing the RCMAR Scientists’ research or training goals, and the impact of the work conducted in the scientific area of focus of the Center.
RCMAR National Coordinating Center
The role of the RCMAR National Coordinating Center is to coordinate and provide logistical support to RCMAR Centers; facilitate cooperation and collaboration across RCMAR Centers; identify and share resources and materials for research and training; provide support, technical assistance, and resources to early-career investigators; and perform program analysis and evaluation. Additionally, the RCMAR National Coordinating Center develops and implements strategies to (1) enhance the visibility of the RCMAR program and behavioral and social research on aging and AD/ADRD as a whole and (2) communicate the importance and value of DEIA in the aging and AD/ADRD research community. More information is available at the RCMAR National Coordinating Center's website.
Legacy and RCMAR VI Program
Initiated in 1997, the RCMAR program was created with a specific focus on enhancing the health and well-being of older racial and ethnic minorities through dedicated research, training, and community engagement. Entering its sixth funding cycle (2023-2028), the RCMAR VI program continues and builds on this legacy by supporting centers engaged in behavioral and social science research, with an emphasis on aging, health disparities in older adults, and AD/ADRD. Furthermore, NIA recognizes that structural barriers within the greater biomedical research ecosystem continue to impede the full participation of researchers from historically underrepresented groups in the NIA-funded scientific community, including those in the behavioral and social sciences. In the interest of enhancing the potential impact of the RCMAR program and in cultivating future research leaders in behavioral and social science research on aging, health disparities in older adults, and AD/ADRD, the RCMAR VI program places a strong emphasis on implementing and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles and practices, through means consistent with applicable law, in a comprehensive and intentional manner.
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Funding for the RCMARs, AD/ADRD RCMARs, and the National Coordinating Center is renewed on a five-year cycle. See Notices of Funding Opportunities for the RCMAR VI program here: RFA-AG-23-025, RFA-AG-23-026, and RFA-AG-23-027.
Currently Funded RCMAR Centers
Learn more below about each of the currently funded Centers within the RCMAR VI program:
RCMAR National Coordinating Center
Principal Investigator | Center | Institution |
---|---|---|
D’Antonio, Patricia; Baker, Tamara; Sceppa, Carmen; & Barnes, Lisa | Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research National Coordinating Center (RCMARs NCC) | Gerontological Society of America |
Aging-focused RCMAR Centers
Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias-focused (AD/ADRD) RCMAR Centers
RCMAR National Coordinating Center Contacts
Patricia D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP
Co-Director, RCMAR National Coordinating Center
Gerontological Society of America
E-mail Patricia D’Antonio
Tamara Baker, PhD
Co-Director, RCMAR National Coordinating Center
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
E-mail Tamara Baker
Lisa Barnes, PhD
Co-Director, RCMAR National Coordinating Center
Rush University Medical Center
E-mail Lisa Barnes
Carmen Sceppa, MD, PhD
Co-Director, RCMAR National Coordinating Center
Northeastern University
E-mail Carmen Sceppa
NIA Staff Contacts
Melissa S. Gerald, PhD
Program Director and NIA Liaison to the RCMAR Program
Division of Behavioral and Social Research
National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
E-mail Melissa Gerald
Erin Harrell, PhD
Program Scientist
Division of Behavioral and Social Research
National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
E-mail Erin Harrell