ABOUT US
AFAR Florida
AFAR Florida was established in 2008 as an independent affiliate of the national American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) organization to expand efforts to support biomedical research on aging and on diseases of aging in Florida.
AFAR Florida focuses on three primary goals:
- Provide research grants to Florida’s best and brightest early-career PhDs and MDs in the fields of aging research, biology of aging, and diseases of aging such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, macular degeneration and others .
- Increase the distribution of funds to encourage scientists and medical students to pursue geromedicine at Florida’s educational institutions.
- Create educational opportunities for scientists and the general public, creating environments that support the exchange of ideas and the sharing of new discoveries about healthy aging.
AFAR Florida accomplishes its goals through a state-wide board of directors and key leaders in research and the lay community who care about advancing the science of healthier aging. AFAR Florida board members include scientists from many of Florida’s research institutions, including FAU, FIU, FSU, Mayo Clinic, Nova Southeastern, Scripps Florida, UF, UM and USF, as well as top executives and leaders from the biomedical industry, corporations, foundations, healthcare institutions, professional firms, individual philanthropists and others.
AFAR Florida is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and our tax identification number is 26-1664990.
AFAR National
For over 30 years, the New York-based American Federation for Aging Research, an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator, has been dedicated to advancing our understanding of the aging process, age-related diseases and healthy aging practices.
Since its founding in 1981, AFAR has granted $132 million to nearly 3,000 talented scientists as part of its broad-based series of grant programs. AFAR supports biological and biomedical research on aging, with the goal of extending older adults’ years of health, independence and quality of life.
AFAR has a proven track record of recognizing potential success in early-career scientists and as result, many AFAR-supported researchers have produced scientific findings that are dramatically changing both our understanding and practice of medicine. In addition, 90% of AFAR research grantees later go on to receive federal funding – a remarkable achievement, since the federal funding rate for young investigators is less than 12%. As the rate in federal funding continues to drop, the need for AFAR funding becomes even more critical.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to AFAR Florida in support of research on aging and age-related diseases in Florida, click here.