2025 - 2027 JAGS Junior Reviewer Application

Program Overview
The JAGS Junior Reviewer program is a 2-year program for early-stage junior faculty (Instructor, Assistant Professor) who devote at least 25% effort to research and/or education in an aging-related field, to participate in the journal review process. Applications are considered bi-annually, in the fall.

- A certificate of completion acknowledging their contribution
- Acknowledgement in JAGS

The program consists of five primary components:

1. Mentorship. Ideally applicants will identify a local mentor that will work with them throughout the program, and who will be responsible for a “first pass” critique of the junior reviewer’s reviews. It is preferred that the local mentor will have a strong connection to JAGS, for example, as a regular reviewer, editor, or member of the editorial board. Non-local mentors will be considered, provided they are clearly invested in the candidate's development and plan to give feedback to the candidate via phone, video, or email. Mentors will be required to complete a Mentorship Agreement. (If the applicant does not have an identified mentor, they should still apply, and we will work with them to identify one)

2. Teaching sessions. We will hold 1-2 interactive virtual teaching session per year and an in-person (or virtual) meeting during the AGS Annual Meeting. The focus will be small group learning around actual manuscript reviews, supervised by a JAGS editor or editors.

3. Reviewer training materials & exclusive online community. JAGS Junior Reviewers will have access to online training materials including suggested strategies (i.e. a “how-to” guide), a reviewer checklist, and a video that addresses deeper issues at stake. JAGS Junior Reviewers will also have access to an exclusive online community where they can network, learn and ask questions to other JAGS Reviewers and Advisors.

4. Feedback on submitted reviews. A JAGS editor will review each review submitted by a Junior Reviewer and provide written constructive feedback. Each JAGS Junior Reviewer is required to complete a minimum of four reviews (approximately 2 per year).

5. A JAGS Junior Reviewer social gathering at the annual AGS meeting (when in-person). This meeting is an opportunity to build community with other Junior Reviewers and JAGS editors.

Eligibility Criteria
- Early-stage junior faculty (Instructor, Assistant Professor) who devote at least 25% effort to research and/or education in an aging-related field

- Must have advanced degree training (MD, PhD, MPH, PharmD, MS, etc.) or equivalent non-clinical health care degree

• CR track: Must have first-authored two or more peer-reviewed original research articles
• CE track: Must have first or second-authored original education papers in a peer reviewed journal