The Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR) is guided by its mission to advance the field of
behavioral medicine by creating and disseminating knowledge, cultivating discourse, and inspiring change that
culminates in better health for all. ABMR members are distinguished mid-level and senior scientists, including
MDs and PhDs, elected by their peers for contributions to behavioral medicine research. Our mission primarily
is accomplished through the annual scientific meeting that brings together our diverse membership and invited
thought leaders to share the latest scientific advances, exchange cutting-edge ideas, and provide stimulating
and engaging discussions in an informal but rigorously scientific atmosphere. ABMR scientists lead
extensive NIH-supported programs of research that integrate biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences to
improve the health and well-being across the lifespan. Our members focus on understanding biologic
mechanisms of aging that underlie leading causes of death and disability (heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's,
diabetes) and developing and implementing effective interventions to maintain health and reduce the burden of
age-related chronic conditions. In 2021, we added an early-stage investigators (ESI) program to the ABMR
annual meeting, specifically to foster career development and leadership skills of promising behavioral
medicine scholars with their first K- or R-level award from NIH. This R13 conference grant will support the
planned 2024 and 2025 annual scientific meetings, including participation of 6 invited Keynote Speakers (3 per
year) and our ESI Program (10 per year). The 2024 meeting will be held June 20-23, 2024, at The Depot in
Minneapolis, MN and the 2025 meeting will be held June 25-28, 2025 in Portland, ME. Our R13 has 3 Aims. In
Aim 1, we seek to promote interdisciplinary discourse on the latest advances in behavioral medicine, public
health and health policy to promote healthy aging and reduce chronic disease disparities. Within this overall
theme, the 2024 meeting will focus on strengthening the impact of our science by enhancing collaborations
among scientists, discussing cutting-edge and integrative team science approaches to research. The 2025
focus will be on strengthening the impact of the science by enhancing collaborations outside our traditional
academic boundaries, discussing innovative partnerships and the critical value of two-way communications
with local communities, healthcare systems, and policymakers. Both meetings will include Keynotes, symposia,
roundtable discussions, working groups, and ample time for networking. In Aims 2 and 3, we will support
diverse and up-and-coming ESIs through the ABMR ESI Fellowship Award, providing a leadership workshop,
mentorship and career development training focused on strategies for sustaining and strengthening
independence and leadership. This R13 enables ABMR to nurture the success of the next generation of
behavioral medicine researchers and leaders, which aligns with NIH’s Next Generation Researchers Initiative,
and enables ABMR to advance the field of behavioral medicine as it has since its inception 45 years ago.