RESEARCH
For over two decades, the University of Florida Institute on Aging (IOA) has built a strong infrastructure to support researchers focused on aging, mobility enhancement, cognitive function, and overall health across the lifespan.
Through sustained investment in pilot funding, career development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Institute has supported dozens of early-career investigators and funded more than 75 pilot projects. These efforts have translated into substantial impact—IOA-supported researchers have collectively generated over $200 million in external funding in recent cycles alone, with historical returns on investment exceeding 30–60 fold. Investigators supported through these programs have also contributed to hundreds of peer-reviewed publications annually, many in high-impact journals, reflecting both productivity and scientific influence.
A central strength of the IOA is its commitment to developing the next generation of aging researchers. Career development programs have supported nearly 50 scholars, with approximately 70% going on to secure major NIH funding, including K awards or R01s, within a few years. These investigators have collectively produced over 1,000 publications and, in many cases, advanced into leadership roles such as institute directors, division chiefs, and research deans. Importantly, IOA-supported research spans key areas that influence aging and mobility, including acute health events, environmental and contextual factors, biological aging processes, lifestyle behaviors, cognitive and psychosocial health, and chronic disease. Together, these efforts position the IOA as a hub for innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances healthy aging and improves quality of life for older adults.