Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Project Summary/Abstract This PRIDE renewal application from Washington University proposes to build upon our current SIPID/PRIDE CVD-CGE program which has been successful with continuous funding for the past 16 years. The overarching goal of our program is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce by providing creative and highly-relevant training activities in focus areas related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We will accomplish this goal by providing mentoring and research training to junior faculty who come from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented (URM) in the biomedical research workforce. Our program (13 cohorts, 76 mentees over 16 years) has been highly successful: at the 10-year follow-up, our mentees had: a) received 171 grants (2.3 grants/mentee); published 1,573 manuscripts (21 publications/mentee); and c) received academic promotions with 48% having achieved rank of Associate Professor/Full Professor. Through the proposed activities listed below, we plan to recruit 8 mentees each of the first 4 years, to be mentored and trained to develop independent research careers in areas relevant to the mission of NHLBI with primary focus on CVD. We are adding two new focus areas based on feedback from current and former trainees, faculty and mentors. Highlights of this renewal application include: 1) Continue the two current cornerstone focus areas: “CVD epidemiology and comorbidities”, adding “Global Health” under this focus area, and “Genetic Epidemiology”; 2) Add two new focus areas: “Implementation Science” and “Data Science/Bioinformatics”, both of which are of strategic importance to NHLBI and NIH; 3) Enhance our comprehensive mentoring and writing program, with a proven track record for the past 16 years, to provide rigor and depth to scientific writing; 4) Form a new “External Mentoring Pool & Recruiting Faculty Committee” composed entirely of our SIPID/PRIDE Alumni (former mentees) that brings additional depth and mentoring capacity “by URMs for URMs”. For this renewal, we will continue to focus on the development of competitive “Small Research Project (SRP)” grant applications during SI-1, while SI-2 will focus on new NIH proposals. Based on mentee feedback, SI-1 and SI-2 has been revamped into an 8-week program that includes “in person”, “hybrid” and “virtual” segments. This new format allows for more time at home, yet maintains the academic rigor of previous SIs. A 3-day in-person overlap between new and returning cohorts will facilitate networking and peer-mentoring. The year-long mentoring program includes monthly mentoring meetings, a 3-day mid-year meeting, and a 4-day annual meeting in Washington, DC. Finally, we will follow mentees for two years with bi-annual updates of their individual development plans, while also focusing on grants and manuscripts writing and academic advancement, with follow up evaluations for up to 10 years. Primary program goals will continue to be focused on mentee success securing independent grant support, scientific publications and academic promotions.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
