Building Capacity in Biomedical Research at Xavier University

About This Grant

Given recent commitments and existing strengths, Xavier University, a doctoral/professional university in Cincinnati, Ohio, is poised to significantly increase biomedical research and grant seeking. In fall 2027, Xavier will open the first Jesuit Catholic College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) in the United States. Additional new graduate programs in Biomedical Science, Anatomy, Social Work, and Audiology, as well as undergraduate programs in Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Speech, Language and Communicative Behavior, and Health Science and Wellness, as well as expansions to existing programs, will add 18 new faculty with biomedical research agendas. An additional 9 faculty at Xavier have biomedical research agendas that will be elevated through this program. In spring 2025, Xavier is launching a Center for Research Excellence to promote the growth and success of research, both for faculty and students. Xavier’s BRE-SPAD program will build upon these foundational investments. Xavier’s program addresses all three BRE-SPAD priorities. Its goals for enhancing sponsored programs administration include: building capacity and biomedical expertise by increasing grants and accounting staff, and identifying gaps in policy and procedures via an NCURA peer review and from mentorship by Creighton University, an aspirant institution with a medical school and a shared Jesuit Catholic mission. Goals for enhancing the research environment include increasing training for student researchers, engaging 24 faculty in communities to develop grant projects, creating a biomedical IRB panel, enhancing policies and training for grant seeking and research mentoring, and showcasing faculty and student research through a symposium and biomedical conference support. Goals for the pilot research project include providing funding to l aunch the biomedical research agendas of 12 new faculty and elevate the research of 5 existing faculty in biomedical disciplines, address current gaps for research equipment, and increase undergraduate and graduate student participation in biomedical research by including an estimated 49 students in pilot projects. Xavier’s BRE-SPAD program will result in a number of sustainable and effective processes. In addition to increasing capacity and expertise, the program will develop policies and procedures that will support growth in biomedical research and grant seeking, particularly needed as we launch a new medical school and new programs. Enhancing research in the COM is innovative in itself, as colleges of osteopathic medicine currently receive only 0.1% of NIH grants, compared with 40% for allopathic institutions, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. The program will be led by an associate provost and the director for the Center for Research Excellence, as well as the Steering Committee. Annual and holistic evaluation will be conducted by an external evaluator.