Enabling older adults to maintain their independence requires the collaboration of a wide range of disciplines from architecture to medicine. The Cizik Nursing Research Institute (CNRI) is seeking pilot grant proposals for multidisciplinary, multi-institutional projects aimed at helping the nation’s quickly aging population live in their own homes as long as possible.

The CNRI will award two 2025 Aging-in-Place Awards – a $10,000 grant, and a $5,000 student grant. The awards are funded by the Maria C. Pappas and Christoper J. Pappas Family Distinguished Chair in Nursing.

Researchers in disciplines such as nursing, medicine, architecture, biomedical informatics, engineering and technology, social work, mental health services, economics and financial planning, policy, and legal services are encouraged to apply.

A faculty member of UTHealth Houston must be a member of the research team. In addition, final proof-of-concept testing must be conducted in the Smart Apartment, a lab located within Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston that is equipped with sensors, monitors, robots, and other devices that researchers can use to test technologies that can help monitor self-management of chronic diseases and detect health and behavior changes in aging and disabled adults. 

The deadline for submitting proposals is Feb. 21. Review the full grant requirements and submit a proposal.

Applicants submitting the top proposals will be invited to make 10-minute presentations at the “2025 Annual Future Living Showcase: Innovations in Aging-in-Place” event on May 20 at UTHealth Houston. Delivering the keynote speech will be Xiaoqian Jiang, PhD, Associate Vice President for Medical AI, Chair of the Department of Health Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and the Christopher Sarofim Professor at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston.

Watch for more details to come, along with a registration link for the event.