The TEAMS Program: Building and Leading High-Performing Research Teams

The complexity of modern-day biomedical research (e.g., biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research) necessitates a team science approach. Yet few, if any, biomedical research training programs offer training on how to assemble, lead, and retain high-performing research teams. This lack of training risks hindering, if not derailing, the career of promising early-career biomedical researchers. The proposed research training program, called TEAMS (Together Everyone Achieves More in Science), will address this gap by training early-career biomedical researchers to assemble, lead, and retain high-performing, collaborative, and sustainable research teams. Leveraging the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of experts in team science, organizational management, biomedical research, mentorship, and communication, we will: (1) Implement TEAMS for five national cohorts of early career biomedical researchers; (2) Establish a peer network of TEAMS trained biomedical researchers (TEAMS-alums) to provide each other continued support and guidance throughout their career journey; (3) Evaluate the short, medium, and long-term outcomes of TEAMS through process and summative program evaluation methodologies. TEAMS will equip early-career biomedical researchers with team leadership skills and a peer network that will increase their success as biomedical investigators and strengthen the biomedical workforce.