[The research course in geriatrics at the Robert Bosch Foundation--new scientific geriatric academicians from a...

The medical needs of the aging population, accentuated by demographic changes, are poorly reflected by the present academic medical training programs. Geriatric medicine does not receive the attention it should have to meet the rapidly increasing demands of the aging population. This is true for Germany but also for Switzerland and Austria as well as many other European countries. The Robert Bosch Foundation with the goal of improving social conditions and scientific competence through innovative projects is engaged in improving the situation of the aging population by a number of projects. Aware of the deficits in geriatric medicine and in response to the need of a training program in academic geriatric medicine, the Foundation initiated a research training program in Geriatrics in 2002 together with initially five now seven academic centers in Germany and Switzerland. The program is aimed at young researchers having graduated in medicine and interested in a career in academic geriatric medicine. Two types of grants are given: an early career award for young postdocs at the beginning of their scientific training for two years and a mid career stipend for medical scientists coming from other disciplines and interested in a career in geriatric medicine. The goal of the training program is developing competence in clinical research and in geriatric medicine. A research council advises the Foundation in the grant allocation and monitors the program as well as the individual progress of the award recipients. Currently, 10 trainees are in the program. The initiative of the Robert Bosch Foundation is an enormous help to establish academic geriatric medicine in Germany.