In the inaugural ASCENT Grand Rounds on October 8, moderator Dr. Ab Brody was joined by leading experts Drs. Katherine Courtright, Frank Puga, Abby R. Rosenberg, and Ana-Maria Vranceanu for an engaging discussion exploring next-generation approaches to palliative care research intervention science. Watch the full recording and access the presentation slides here to learn how innovative research strategies are reframing intervention science to better address the needs of seriously ill patients, their caregivers, and broader care networks.
News
2026 ASCENT Annual Scientific and Business Meeting Recap
2026 ASCENT Annual Scientific and Business Meeting Recap
On June 29-30, 2026, the ASCENT Consortium and its collaborators gathered in Bethesda, Maryland, for the 2026 ASCENT Annual Scientific and Business Meeting. The two-day event featured updates from the National Institutes of Health, insightful perspectives from the Lived Experience Action Panel, and poster presentations showcasing new research from our 2026 Research Scholar(opens in new tab) and Pilot and Exploratory Studies(opens in new tab) Award recipients. Attendees also connected with ASCENT Investigators in Residence (AIR) Fellows and palliative care researchers while exploring ASCENT's ongoing impact on the field.
Closing the retreat out, Linda Collins, PhD, and Nick Odom, PhD, gave an engaging talk on intervention optimization as an approach to developing and testing interventions in palliative care. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to advancing impactful science together!
ABLN Recording Available: Methods for Handling Informative Missingness in Palliative Care Research
ABLN Recording Available: Methods for Handling Informative Missingness in Palliative Care Research
The ASCENT Biostatistics Learning Network (ABLN) hosted its latest quarterly webinar, Methods for Handling Informative Missingness in Palliative Care Research, on Tuesday, September 8, 12:00–1:30 pm ET.
The ABLN is designed to advance statistical innovation in serious illness research. Biostatistics faculty, methodologists, PhD students, ASCENT Core investigators, and interested individuals are invited to join this free webinar.
Recording Available: Learn more about ASCENT Year 2 Funding Opportunities
Recording Available: Learn More about ASCENT's Year 2 Funding Opportunities
The ASCENT Consortium’s Year 2 Funding Informational Webinar recording is now available for viewing. In this video, we cover everything from program overviews and eligibility criteria to application timeline, program expectations, and the ASCENT Lab consultation process. For more information, please:
Requests for Applications Now Open for Year 2 Funding Opportunities
Requests for Applications Now Open for Year 2 Funding Opportunities
The ASCENT Consortium is excited to announce that the Requests for Applications (RFAs) for our Year 2 funding opportunities are officially live! Letters of Intent are due on August 10, 2026. These awards support investigators dedicated to improving the lives of seriously ill patients and their caregivers through innovative palliative care research.
- Research Scholar Award: Provides two years of salary and research support, protected time, and mentorship for junior faculty establishing themselves as independent investigators.
- Pilot and Exploratory Studies Awards: Provides funding and resources for early-career investigators transitioning from K to R awards, as well as mid-career researchers seeking to obtain a second large research grant or exploring new directions. Detailed descriptions of both award types are provided on the linked webpage.
The ASCENT Year 2 Funding Opportunities Informational Webinar took place on Friday, July 17 and included a comprehensive overview of the Research Scholar Award and Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award application process, followed by a live Q&A session. The recording is available at this link.
Announcing the 2026 ASCENT Pilots
Announcing the 2026 ASCENT Pilots
The ASCENT Consortium is pleased to announce the recipients of the Pilot & Exploratory Studies Award during ASCENT’s first grant cycle.
The Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award facilitates early- and mid-career investigators in building innovative research that improves the lives of seriously ill patients and their caregivers. The grant accomplishes this by providing funding, guidance, community, and resources, helping investigators launch studies that can lead to larger, externally funded research.
Announcing the 2026 ASCENT Research Scholars
Announcing the 2026 ASCENT Research Scholars
The ASCENT Consortium is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Research Scholar Award during ASCENT’s first grant cycle.
This Research Scholar Award offers two years of support for salary and/or research activities for junior faculty seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators in palliative care research. It also provides protected time, mentorship, and training for developing competitive research programs that may ultimately lead to larger, extramurally funded programs.
ASCENT Application Cycle Year 2 Funding Opportunities Webinar
ASCENT Application Cycle Year 2 Funding Opportunities Webinar
Registration is now open for the ASCENT Application Cycle Year 2 Funding Opportunities Webinar. Join us on Friday, July 17 at 11:00 AM ET for a comprehensive overview of the Research Scholar Award and Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award application process, followed by a live Q&A session.
Please register for the webinar at the link below and hold this time on your calendar. If you are unable to join during this time, we will record the webinar and post a link on our website the following week.
Register here: Zoom Webinar Registration
Details regarding eligibility, funding criteria, and program requirements will be posted to our website in the week of July 6: https://ascentpalliativecare.org
ASCENT Biostatistics Learning Network (ABLN) Webinar Recording Available
ASCENT Biostatistics Learning Network (ABLN) Webinar Recording Available
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. View the recording here.
The ASCENT Consortium to Publish Two Requests for Applications
The ASCENT Consortium to Publish Two Requests for Applications
The ASCENT Consortium is pleased to announce plans to publish a Request for Applications (RFA) for the ASCENT Research Scholar and Pilot and Exploratory Studies Awards Programs:
- Research Scholar Award: ASCENT will fund up to 13 junior faculty looking to establish themselves as independent investigators in palliative care research.
- Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award: ASCENT will fund up to 12 early-career investigators transitioning from a K to an R award and mid-career researchers exploring new directions.
Research Scholar Award
Goal: Support the salary and research activities of junior faculty seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators in palliative care research. It provides protected time, guidance, and training for developing competitive research programs that may ultimately lead to larger, extramurally funded programs.
This award will provide:
- Two years of support at $150,000 per year in direct costs, plus 8% allowable facilities and administrative costs
Pilot and Exploratory Studies Award
Goal: Facilitate early-career investigators seeking to obtain their first independent award (i.e., the K to R transition) and mid-career researchers seeking to sustain their careers or seeking to explore new research avenues. The grant accomplishes this by providing funding, guidance, community, and resources.
This award will provide:
- Pilot Studies: up to $200,000 in total costs per year for a maximum duration of 2 years
- Exploratory Studies: up to $100,000 in total costs per year for a maximum duration of 2 years
Important Dates
RFA Release: July 6, 2026
Informational Webinar: July 17, 2026, at 8:00 am PST
Required Letters of Intent: August 10, 2026, at 5 pm PST
Invitations to Submit Full Applications: Late September 2026
Full Applications By Invitation Only: November 9, 2026, at 5 pm PST
Anticipated Funding Start Date: May 2027
This Notice of Intent is provided for planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation. Details are subject to change upon release of the official RFA. Kindly hold all inquiries until after the RFA is released, when further details and guidance will be provided in the RFA.
The RFA release will be announced via the ASCENT website, the ASCENT LinkedIn page, and the ASCENT distribution list (sign up here if not already registered).