Investigator Development Core

The Investigator Development Core (IDC) will address the development of early-career investigators in basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research through a pilot project program that allows researchers to generate preliminary data for submission of grant applications, particularly focusing on research related to diseases that disproportionally impact African American or other disparity populations, or those that address health disparities. Professional development opportunities to increase junior faculty and post-doctoral fellows' participation, advancement, and leadership capabilities will be linked to this core. The overarching goal of the IDC is to produce the next generation of successful junior investigators studying basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research focused on health disparities. Thus, the IDC will enable our junior researchers to successfully apply for extramural funding and progress in their academic careers as funded investigators. The IDC will apply innovative strategies to provide robust research career development resources, leverage technology and data science to address health disparities, mentor junior faculty and post-doctoral fellows, and create a holistic, individualized, and rigorous track for each IDC participant. To achieve these goals, the IDC will pursue three specific aims: 1) Establish a pilot awards program targeted to post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty to advance basic, behavioral, and clinical research in health disparities. 2) Mentor the pilot project investigators to enhance their career development, publications, and research outcomes derived from pilot research funds. 3) Implement a grant submission timeline for extramural grant funding appropriate to the pilot investigator's career stage. The IDC is envisioned as a magnet and an engine - a magnet that attracts early-stage investigators into health disparities research and an engine that nurtures them toward success in NIH grant funding. Findings from the proposed pilot project health disparities research program will lead to new K, R, and equivalent extramural grants, the outcomes of which will contribute to healthier communities across the nation.