Aging as a Disease

The Background

In recent years, a field of research has emerged showing the potential to treat aging as a disease. While much of the knowledge from this research has been obtained through animal and yeast models, its implications for human health and quality of life are profound. By finding interventions that slow the rate of aging, researchers and physicians would be better equipped to delay the onset of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes; reduce mortality rates; and improve quality of life. Such interventions also would challenge the notion that our quality of life is likely to decline beginning at a certain age. This will be particularly important as researchers from the Stanford Center for Longevity predict that as many as “half of today’s five year-olds can expect to live to the age of 100.” While more immediate interventions are needed to support the health and well-being of the current aging population, new research and the commercialization of science and technology offers the promise to reduce the burden of aging on individuals and society in the years ahead. At the same time, considerable thought must be given on how to make those interventions available across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines.

Examples

Examples

1. Research is identifying the genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute toward the aging of cells and organisms 
2. Research is exploring the factors that contribute toward the health of individuals living in “Blue Zones,” or those geographies where individuals are more likely to live beyond 100 years 
3. Research is exploring the role of basic interventions such as diet, caloric restriction, exercise, cryotherapy and oxygen therapy to slow the progression of aging 
4. Biotechnology companies are developing interventions to destroy senescent, or “zombie” cells, that are believed to contribute toward disease.

Funding Guidelines

The Foundation expects to provide two types of support through this RFP.

Planning and Innovation grants:

• Will provide up to $250,000 for new and translational research

Scalability grants:

• Commercialize promising science and technology interventions (social impact investments).
• Will provide up to $400,000 and funded activities should be completed 24 months after the grant award

Grant funds awarded through this RFP may be used for a variety of expenses such as program and service delivery, consultant fees, evaluation, or “overhead” or administrative expenses. A limited amount of capital expenditures for equipment and lab infrastructure that are essential to accomplish the outcomes of the proposal may be included. 

If an application is truly exceptional, the Foundation may consider providing more than $250,000 for Planning and Innovation grants or more than $400,000 for Scalability grants. Successful grantees may be invited to apply for follow-on funding or additional capacity-building funding opportunities at the conclusion of the grant.