Partnerships for Biomedical Research in Arkansas

OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is to expand biomedical research capacity in Arkansas. Scientific leadership for the network is provided by 2 research-intensive lead institutions: the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF). In addition, the lead institutions, and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) provide resources and mentoring to 16 statewide primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), that range from a large urban university to small liberal arts colleges and universities. To achieve its goals, the Arkansas INBRE administers programs with objectives to: i) support PUI faculty research and mentoring, ii) support and promote student participation in biomedical research, and iii) grow biomedical research infrastructure across the network. The programs are managed by 4 interactive and synergistic network components. The Administrative Core provides operational support, opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research, support for PUI faculty development, support for an annual research conference, and programs that expand participation in biomedical research. A Developmental Research Project Program provides competitive research funding that enhances success in biomedical research at PUIs. A Data Science Core provides cloud computing resources, training modules, and workshops, all designed to enhance research skills for PUI faculty and students. A Research Technology Core manages a Core Facility voucher program that allows PUI faculty and student researchers to access core facilities located at UAMS, UAF, and ACRI. The External Advisory Committee, along with the Executive and Steering Committees that represent the major stakeholders in the Arkansas INBRE provide oversight and ensure continued engagement and commitment of network institutions. An internal evaluation program coupled with periodic external evaluation provides additional information to leadership about the impact and effectiveness of the Arkansas INBRE components and programs. Through further enhancement of research infrastructure, particularly at undergraduate institutions, the Arkansas INBRE will continue to improve the ability of academic researchers to make discoveries that improve human health, increase the number of undergraduate students who choose careers in biomedical research, and stimulate the growth of biomedical research in Arkansas.