Buck Institute for Research on Aging: programs, progress and news

Analyst view

First research center dedicated solely to aging research.
Eric Verdin led since 2016. Operates 25+ faculty labs and educational programs.
2026: $7.8M in NIH funding; launched Healthspan Horizons to measure and extend healthspan.

As reported

Basic research model

Independent nonprofit free from hospital obligations, faculty focus entirely on aging research.

Metabolism focus

Studies how metabolites regulate immune aging and inflammation, drivers of age-related disease.

Translational integration

Bridges basic biology with clinical trials and biomarker development via specialized cores.

Collaborative ecosystem

Collaborates with biotechs and academic centers as a reference lab for aging research.

Programs

Buck Institute for Research on Aging, one program

Updated 5 Mar 2026

Research · Proto · Pilot · Deploy · Scaling

Open · Active · Partial

Aging clock accuracy and utilityActive research
Multiple biological clocks predict age but causality is uncertain. Clinical utility of aging clocks for intervention validation remains open.
Translation of basic aging findings to human benefitActive research
Many interventions extend lifespan in model organisms but fail in humans. Identifying conserved aging mechanisms is critical.

Institutes & funders · 5

1 round · as reported

Date	Round	Amount	Post-money	Lead
2026	NIH funding	$7.8M	—	—

2 partners

Partner
National Institute on Aging (NIA) (opens nia.nih.gov)
Primary federal funding source for NIH grants at the Buck.
Partner
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (opens nih.gov)
Buck Institute received $7.8M in NIH funding in 2026 across 13 grants.

Key people