Advanced Research Training in Neurotrauma Rehabilitation (ARRT) - The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering (PM&R/CERSE) in partnership with Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Sheltering Arms Institute, and community stakeholders will lead the Advanced Neurotrauma Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) program. The VCU ARRT mission is to build diverse neurotrauma rehabilitation research capacity with knowledgeable, skilled, independent researchers who develop accessible, usable, and effective clinical interventions that improve outcomes important to people with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. VCU ARRT fellows co-develop an individualized development plan with their mentors—tailored to their skill level, training needs, and goals—that lays the foundation for developing an independent line of research. Training methods include: (1) didactic instruction and workshops that emphasize learning and application of scientific methods, large data analyses and clinical trial development that meet the evolving nature of rehabilitation research and care; (2) a mentoring network that includes a career development sponsor, and scientific, associate, and lived experience community mentors; and (3) leveraging PM&R/CERSE’s interdisciplinary rehabilitation research network, funded grants, and large data registries to provide fellows with opportunities to participate in collaborative research, publish manuscripts, conduct a pilot study, and present at local, regional and national conferences. The VCU ARRT will assure a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible training environment that attracts qualified applicants, particularly scholars with disabilities and/or from underrepresented minority groups. The primary fellowship endpoints are to possess a publication portfolio in their line of research, obtain a research faculty or similar position, and be prepared to submit a research career development or other grant application within four months of obtaining a faculty position.
