Advancing Research Integrity through Structured Education in the Inland Empire (ARISE-IE): A Dual-Intervention Program for Mentorship and Leadership Training - The Inland Empire (IE) of Southern California is a rapidly expanding region with historically limited infrastructure for research ethics and oversight. As a young, community-based medical school, the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) is actively building its research enterprise while advancing its commitment to responsible conduct of research (RCR). To support this growth and ensure sustainable research integrity practices, CUSM proposes Advancing Research Integrity through Structured Education in the Inland Empire (ARISE-IE)—a dual-intervention program focused on building institutional capacity for ethical research conduct. ARISE-IE integrates two modular training programs: (1) Mentorship for Research Integrity (MRI), targeting faculty mentors, and (2) Leadership for Ethical Research Culture (LERC), designed for department chairs, principal investigators, and research administrators. Both programs aim to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical oversight through evidence-informed, contextually tailored curricula. The intervention will be guided by the Intervention Mapping framework, Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, and User-Centered Design principles to ensure usability, relevance, and scalability. The 12-month implementation includes three phases: (1) a mixed-methods needs assessment, (2) development and pilot testing of modular training curricula, and (3) formative evaluation and iterative refinement. Evaluation tools include REDCap surveys, semi-structured interviews, fidelity checklists, and usability heuristics. Key outcomes include improved RCR knowledge and confidence, enhanced institutional climate for research integrity, and dissemination of open-access training materials and policy tools. Aligned with ORI priorities, ARISE-IE addresses both structural and behavioral factors that influence ethical research conduct. Through targeted training and institutional engagement, ARISE-IE offers a replicable model for strengthening research integrity in emerging academic institutions.
