NAM Seeks Innovative Ideas Promoting Healthy Longevity for the 2022 Catalyst Awards

With just a 2-page submission, applicants have the opportunity to win a $50k Catalyst Award, offering seed funding for their bold, innovative ideas to extend the human healthspan. In addition to Catalyst Award winners, other applicants who make it to the final round of review will automatically be considered for funding in the next phase of the broader Healthy Longevity Global Competition, with awards worth $150,000 to more than $1 million USD. 

As part of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is accepting applications for the 2022 cycle of its U.S.-based Catalyst Awards. Applications will be accepted from January 17, 2022, through February 28, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST. The NAM will issue up to 25 awards in 2022! Individuals and teams may learn more and apply here.

To help address the world’s rapidly aging population, the NAM launched the Healthy Longevity Global Competition: a three-phase awards program designed to identify and support bold, innovative, and potentially breakthrough ideas to improve health as people age. In the first phase, the Catalyst Awards reward exciting new or early-stage projects that have the potential to advance the field of healthy longevity and extend the human healthspan—in turn allowing individuals to live more enriching lives and stay active in their communities, families, and the workforce well into their later years.

Eligible projects aim to improve the mental, physical, or social health and well-being of individuals and can focus on any stage of life, as long as they ultimately promote health for people as they age.

US-based individuals and teams from all fields, backgrounds, industries, and specialties are encouraged to complete the simple 2-page application to be considered for a $50,000 prize. In addition to the winners, all applicants advancing to the final stages of the Catalyst Award review process are automatically considered for subsequent funding in the form of an Accelerator Award, the second phase of the Global Competition, worth $150,000 to more than $1 million USD.

The NAM’s US-based Catalyst Award competition is part of a global initiative to extend the human healthspan. There are a number of Catalyst Award competitions worldwide that are open to innovators in over 50 countries and territories! Winners of the global Catalyst Award competitions receive travel funds to attend the annual Global Innovator Summit, where awardees, as well as leaders in research, academia, and industry, convene to share their winning ideas, get inspired, network, and collaborate.

The NAM competition is open to individuals and teams residing in the United States. You can find more information about eligibility in the rules and guidelines here. More detailed frequently asked questions on how to apply can be found here. 

For questions about the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards, email healthylongevity@nas.edu.

For media inquiries, contact Dana Korsen at dkorsen@nas.edu.

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