Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Abstract The lack of diversity in US biomedical and behavioral science research continues to be a significant challenge. To address this concern, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded the Summer Institute Program to Increase Diversity (SIPID) in 2006. Subsequently, the Program to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research-Functional and Translational Genomics of Blood Disorders (PRIDE-FTG) was established at Augusta University (AU). Through the PRIDE-FTG program, we have provided mentored training for 114 underrepresented minority faculty. Mentees learned hands-on bench research and grantsmanship skills during two consecutive Summer Institutes. Program evaluation supports achievement of our primary goal of aiding mentees to submit an NIH or equivalent grant application within two years of program completion; 42.3% of PRIDE-FTG mentees have NIH grant-funding as principal investigators. In the next iteration of the PRIDE-FTG program, we included innovative components and collaboration with the PRIDE-OHD (Obesity Health Disparities) and PRIDE-FOCUS (Future Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences) programs. We will test the hypothesis that a mentored training program to build research and grant-writing skills will increase the ability of URM and disabled faculty, conducting blood disorders research to obtain extramural funding and transition to independent research careers. Four aims will be accomplished: AIM 1. Conduct innovative Summer Institute 1 at AU (Component 1). Mentees will participate in a grant-writing core curriculum and hands-on-bench research training to enhance funding strategies. We will implement a K to R Club to increase R series grant success. AIM 2. Support Small Research Project funding initiative (Component 4). In collaboration with the PRIDE Steering Committee and NHLBI program staff, we will fund pilot research projects as administrative supplements to support competitive grant proposals addressing blood disorders research. AIM 3. Facilitate Mentoring and Networking Activities (Component 2). Mentorship Committees comprised of the mentee, PRIDE research mentor and home institution mentor will be established. Peer- mentorship teams will launch within cohorts to promote collaboration. We will support a mid-year meeting at AU to conduct a mock study section and mentee networking, and attendance at the PRIDE Coordination Core annual meeting. AIM 4. Conduct innovative Summer Institute 2 (Component 3). Mentees will return to AU to complete a one-on-one grant review to support the primary goal of the PRIDE program to submit an NIH or equivalent grant application and participate in additional research experiences. The mentored training supported by the PRIDE-FTG program will influence the number of underrepresented and disabled scientists achieving successful biomedical research careers.
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).
