Gerontology Applied Research Grants
LIFE at UCF is proud to sponsor two yearly gerontology research grant programs. The Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research and Al Dallago OUR Gerontology Research Grant programs provide significant funds to the students and faculty at the University of Central Florida to support this field of study important to our membership. The grants are provided to promote all aspects of UCF research relating to the scientific study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging. As such these grants are intended to provide incentive for and recognize Gerontology research studies at the University of Central Florida. The amount of these awards is determined each year by the LIFE Board of Directors and depends upon revenues from membership fees and donations from LIFE members. To date, LIFE at UCF is proud to have donated over $285,000 in support of these program. We encourage each UCF organization to participate in these competitive programs.
Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Grant
Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Grant is a competitive grant specifically for Applied Gerontology Research conducted at UCF by UCF faculty, staff, or graduate students under the sponsorship of UCF professors. The research may be proposed or in progress. Approved grants can range up to the full yearly allotted funding. However, significant priority will be given to selecting the most projects that can be funded within the yearly approved funding. Applications are required. The Application submission window opens each year in November and ends the following February. Awards are presented in March and are administered through the UCF Foundation. Selection is made by a separate Gerontology Awards Committee that makes recommendations to the LIFE board for final approval. The program includes interviewing finalists. An email announcing the program details is made to the UCF faculty during the fall semester.
For more details and the application form go to this link: LIFE Gerontology Applied Research Grant
PAST YEAR AWARDS
In 2021-2022 LIFE at UCF awarded $17,540.00 to the following individuals through our Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Program:
- Matt Stock, Jason Pagan & Jonathan Beausejour, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy: “A Comparison of Machine and Free-Weight Versus Functional Resistance Training Exercise Programs in Older Adults” $6290.00 Award.
- Sarah Ashiqueali, Burnettt School of Biomedical Sciences/College of Medicine: “The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplant on Senescence and Inflammation” $5000.00 Award.
- Lisa Baudot and Dana Wallace, Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting: “Retiree Financial Literacy in a Digitized World” $3750.00 Award.
- Shalah Dean Thomas, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems: “Using Readability Optimization to Improve Older Adults’ Reading Performance and Usability of Document” $2500.00 Award.
Al Dallago Undergraduate Gerontology Research Grant Program
This undergraduate student award is separate from the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Grant program, but submissions are through the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) website. Both programs use the same time schedule and application form. Award recipients can receive simultaneous awards from both UCF and LIFE. Application is by semester for undergraduate students only. Two $750.00 grants are provided yearly. To be considered for this award, students need to fill out the UCF OUR application and merely check the Gerontology research box in the UCF application form.
To apply go to this link: UCF OUR Research Grants .
Al Dallago research grants awarded in 2019-2020:
- Haley Lehew. Research: “Determining the Disaggregase Domains of Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI)” . This project aims to explore novel therapies for Alzheimer’s by determining which region of PDI is responsible for reversing fibrils aggregation in brain cells.
- Kari Shaver. Research: “Stimulation and Modulation of Natural Killer Cells” This project investigates the use of Exosomes to improve cancer immunotherapy and gene therapy.
Required Research Completion reports
All LIFE Gerontology Research Grant recipients are strongly encouraged to file a Completion of Research Report when the project has been completed. Completion of this report may impact future eligibility to receive LIFE Grants. The report form can be accessed at this link: Research Completion Report.