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Scholars program accepting applications  MUSC directs one of six national Research Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) funded by the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute on Nursing Research, and the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities.  One component of this center supports the RCMAR Scholars Program, a one-year program that provides support for pilot projects (up to $20,000), research  training, mentoring, and other career development activities for graduate or post-graduate students, or junior faculty from MUSC or other institutions.  Eligible applicant must be a minority investigator or co-investigator who has not yet received R01 funding.  The pilot studies should be designed as a vehicle to collect preliminary data for  a subsequent competitive application (e.g. R03, R01, and K-awards).  The focus of the pilot research should be on patient or community-based research on issues in aging minorities. Examples of research areas supported include (but are not limited to): Developing and testing clinical, social, behavioral, or economic interventions for decreasing differentials in health status and access to services among older minority group members; developing and validating measurement instru-ments or protocols suitable for use with older minority groups; testing strategies for increasing the recruitment and retention of older minorities in research; and/or research on aging-related health behaviors addressing specific health problems (e.g., diabetes, prostate cancer, hypertension) or social problems  (e.g., access to health systems, neighborhood influence on health) of minority populations.  Applications must be submitted by June 6 and must include: (1) a research proposal (maximum of three pages) containing a statement of the problem (including specific aims and background/rationale), methods to be used, anticipated results, and discussion of how planned efforts will lead to future funding; (2) a  Biographical Sketch for the investigator on the standard PHS 398 form; (3) a one  page signed letter from the applicant summarizing career development plans and committing to set aside a half-day per week for career development activities on site at MUSC; and (4) budget and justification.  The MUSC Center on Aging Advisory Committee, chaired by Lotta Granholm-Bentley, Ph.D., DDS, will serve as the review committee, and will select those to receive funding by mid-June.  Send application materials to: Barbara Tilley, Ph.D., MUSC's Department of Biometry and Epidemiology,135 Cannon Street, Suite 303, P.O. Box 250835, Charleston, S.C., 29425. Questions should be directed to Rebecca Antley at 876-1107 or e-mail antley@musc.edu. Visit http://scrcmar.musc.edu/.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.