Better With Age

The "Better with Age Initiative" is a comprehensive program designed to enhance education and research in the field of aging. By focusing on three key pillars—building core infrastructure, supporting interdisciplinary faculty, and ensuring student success—the initiative aims to restructure existing academic pathways, invest in student opportunities related to gerontology, and foster groundbreaking research on aging. Through scholarships, graduate assistantships, and outreach efforts, it empowers students to pursue careers in aging. Simultaneously, it provides faculty with mini-grants, conference support, and networking opportunities to advance interdisciplinary research. The initiative also prioritizes infrastructure improvements, including revamping the gerontology curriculum and strengthening organizational structures to support aging-focused endeavors.

The 2026 GERI Grant Call for Proposals is currently closed.

Applications for the 2026-2027 funding cycle are closed. For future proposals, click here to download the information sheet and reach out to betterwithage@pdx.edu with any questions. 

The Better with Age Wilson-Deshane Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to widen the pathway to careers in aging and support students who can bring new ideas and perspectives to the field. 

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to PSU students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate specializing in gerontology or aging-related fields. Students must have been accepted into an aging-related program or track at PSU. Students must be enrolled in courses at least part-time and be in good academic standing for funds to be distributed.

For more information on eligibility, award details, and to apply, click here.

If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact betterwithage@pdx.edu.

Meet the Wilson-Deshane Aging Scholarship Recipients 

Meet the Wilson-Deshane Graduate Assistants 

2025-2026 Academic Year

• Anna Gibbons, Graduate Administrative Assistant for Institute on Aging and the Better with Age Initiative
• Jeannette Sager, Graduate Research Assistant for the Social Isolation & Loneliness project and the Better with Age Initiative

2024-2025 Academic Year

• Anna Gibbons, Graduate Administrative Assistant for Institute on Aging and the Better with Age Initiative
• Tianzhan Shu, Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Better with Age Initiative and the Senior Adult Learning Center

2023-2024 Academic Year

• Lauren Neely, Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Better with Age Initiative and the Senior Adult Learning Center

2022-2023 Academic Year

• Lauren Neely, Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Better with Age Initiative and the Senior Adult Learning Center
• MinJu Kim, Graduate Research Assistant for the Oregon Community-Based Care Study
• Eiji Toda, Graduate Research Assistant for the Climate Resilience and Aging Project
• Dani Himes, Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Better with Age Initiative and the Climate Resilience and Aging Project
   

2021-2022 Academic Year

• Lindsey Smith, Graduate Research Assistant for Assisted Living Policy study
• Minju Kim, GRA, Oregon Community Based Care Study

• Dani Himes, Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) for the Better with Age Initiative and the Senior Adult Learning Center