UK ASCEND (Achieving Success in Community-Engaged research to elimiNate Disparities)

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section ABSTRACT The Investigator Development Core (IDC) of UK ASCEND proudly proposes the ASCEND Scholar Program (ASP) comprised of two transformative and linked opportunities to achieve healthier lives by promoting community-engaged research (CER) success among early-stage investigators (ESIs). The ASP strategy was influenced by two national evidence-based programs, UK institutional data, and a career development model implemented in three UK ESI cohorts. Sixteen ESIs over four cohorts will be selected to become ASCEND Scholars and engage in a three-component CER Training Program, followed by an opportunity to deploy their skills through the CER Pilot Program. The CER Training Program includes multilevel mentorship, scientific and social networking, and professional enrichment, followed by the CER Pilot Program. UK ASCEND’s CER Pilot Program will provide the preliminary studies necessary for highly competitive NIH grant applications. To ensure a pathway for continued research excellence, we also will offer CER Pilot Projects to eight postdoctoral fellows in the first and fifth years of the award. Throughout the ASP and in conjunction with the Community Engagement and Dissemination Core, ESIs will authentically interact with community stakeholders to successfully undertake impactful research. The IDC has the following aims: (1) Embed research-focused ESIs into the three-component CER training program and (2) Implement a rigorous CER pilot project program that leads to collaborative and sustainable interactions with community stakeholders and the successful dissemination of scholarly products, including publications, presentations, and grant submissions, leading to research success. The IDC benefits from strong leadership provided by a senior-career level NIH-funded translational researcher. Our experienced, and complementary leadership team will work to promote excellence in community-engaged health research through mentorship, networking, and professional enrichment, followed by a CER pilot project that will serve as preliminary studies for publications, presentations, and subsequent NIH grant submissions. Our long-term objective is to increase the critical mass of early-stage investigators exceptionally capable of undertaking CER that improves health.