Welcome to the ASCENT Consortium
The Advancing the Science of Palliative Care Research across the Lifespan (ASCENT) Consortium is a national research initiative focused on providing resources, expertise, and coordination across institutions to advance innovative, high-quality research for those living with serious illness and those who care for them.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other care team members to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.
The ASCENT Consortium is funded through 2030 by the National Institute on Aging with funding and collaboration from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Nursing Research, and National Cancer Institute. It is supported by NIH Research Grant 1U54 AG093230-01.
ASCENT Funding Opportunities and Programs
The ASCENT Consortium is pleased to offer funding opportunities and programs to help achieve our mission of promoting the development of a palliative care research community and build the evidence base for palliative care across the lifespan. A 2026 Request for Applications to ASCENT's funding opportunities will be published soon.
Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award
Supports early- and mid-career researchers in generating foundational evidence for larger, externally funded studies.
ASCENT Investigator in Residence Program
Offers early-career researchers in settings with limited palliative care research capacity opportunities for career development and networking to build leadership skills and prepare for future grant proposals
ASCENT Lab
Provides virtual consultations where palliative care researchers receive tailored, actionable feedback from experts in the field to refine their research proposals.
ASCENT Events
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ASCENT Consortium’s Annual Scientific and Business Meeting. Registration is invitation-only, and portions of the meeting will be available to join virtually via Zoom.
Monday, June 29th | 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM ET
Tuesday, June 30th | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Zoom Details for Virtual Attendees: More information to follow.
News and Announcements
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On May 5, ABLN hosted their first virtual presentation: Top Statistical Challenges in Serious Illness Research. The ABLN plans on hosting these webinars quarterly. Be on the lookout for announcements and opportunities to sign up to attend.
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The ASCENT Consortium is excited to announce the ten recipients of the 2026 Investigator in Residence Program.
This year-long program provides early-stage investigators focused on serious illness care across any phase of the lifespan with career development and networking opportunities to advance their career.
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The ASCENT Consortium is excited to announce the ten recipients of the 2026 Investigator in Residence Program.
This year-long program provides early-stage investigators focused on serious illness care across any phase of the lifespan with career development and networking opportunities to advance their career.